Playing Big Pairs After The Flop 

I would generally like to say that in most cases you are better off making big bets pre-flop or after the flop with few players in when holding big pairs.  You will lose less this way and lower your risk of a bad beat.

 
Flop Brings Low Cards

If the flop comes out all low cards you should watch to make sure your opponent doesn't have 3 of a kind.  Your opponent could also possibly have a mid pair and still think his hand is good.  Here is how you can tell what they have.

 
Opponent Has Trips If?

If the flop has no flush draws out there and you do not get re-raised you could possibly believe your opponent flopped a set.

 
The reasoning behind this is that a player who flops a set with someone betting into them will almost never re-raise on the flop.  They will lure you in to bet on fourth street because there are no threatening flush draws.  

Now let's go into how you can tell what your opponent has.  You should memorize this poker odds table so you know the chances of your opponent hitting certain cards.

Opponent Has Mid-Pair If?

If the flop comes and it is all low cards with no flush draws and you get re-raised you could possibly put him on mid pocket pair which would make him top pair.  He re-raised you on the flop hoping you just have over cards and tries to push you out so that no face card comes on the turn.

Flop Brings High Cards With Big Pocket Pair

In this scenario you will want to look out for straight draws.  Many times when an opponent calls your big bet pre-flop he will be playing something like AQ, AK , KQ, or KJ.  In this instance when big cards flop you will want to bet big.  Here is why.

You will want to force out any straight draws which may be likely.  If you have top pair go ahead and bet big.  If your opponent flopped top pair also you can generally take most of his money because you either have a better pocket pair or your kicker will be better.  Either way betting big will keep the draws out or will pay you off.

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