How to play 99
Pocket Nines
9♠
9♥
Rank by playability
#6
#6 by equity vs a random hand
Top
4%
of all starting hands
Equity vs random
72.1%
heads-up
CategoryPremium
Top tier — open from any position, 3-bet for value.
Equity vs random opponents
| Opponents | Equity |
|---|---|
| vs 1 random hand | 72.1% |
| vs 3 random hands | 41.1% |
| vs 5 random hands | 26.6% |
Monte Carlo simulation using our own hand evaluator — 300,000 trials per matchup with full boards dealt and ties split evenly.
By position
| Position | Action |
|---|---|
UTG Under the Gun | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
MP Middle Position | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
CO Cutoff | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
BTN Button | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
SB Small Blind | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
BB Big Blind (vs late open) | raise / 3-bet for value Raise first in. 3-bet light openers for value. |
Postflop notes
- Mid pair — top pair some flops, under-pair on others. Often a one-street hand.
- On low boards you can c-bet small. Slow down on overcard turns.
What 99 flops
Exact: all 19,600 possible flops dealt to 99. Rows overlap — a flush draw can come with a pair.
| Set or better (a board card matches your pair) | 11.76% |
| Overpair (every board card below your pair) | 16.71% |
| At least one overcard, no set | 71.53% |