Many players just cannot get away from top pair, good kicker. In order to have long term success at the poker table, you simply have to be able to get away from it when the circumstances dictate. This is especially true in cash games, where you aren’t factoring in ever-increasing blinds. Let’s look at 1 scenario that makes a strong case for folding top pair:

You’ve got Ad Jd in a full ring game. You raised preflop and the flop came down Ac 9c 10s. You made a pot-sized bet and your opponent called. The turn card was an ugly one, the Kc, which completed any flush draw and the QJ straight draw. You are tentative, but you decide to bet half the pot (which can also be debated). Your opponent immediately makes a substantial raise.

In my opinion, this is almost always a fold situation. There are simply too many hands that can beat you: any 2 clubs, or QJ, are strong possibilities. Although some of these holdings are more likely than others, your opponent could also hold AK, A10, A9, K10, K9, 910, or a set. AQ has you beat too.

You have to ask yourself, based on how the action has unfolded, what could my opponent have that I can beat? In this instance, you really can only beat a bluff. It is unlikely that your opponent would play the hand this way with a weaker ace, or something like middle pair with 4 cards to a flush. Sure, you have top pair with a gutshot straight draw, but you could already be drawing dead.

Knowing your opponent is key as always, but even against a loose aggressive player, folding is most likely the right play here. In the end, top pair, good kicker is just one pair. On a scary board with lots of action, good players won’t hesitate to let it go.