How to play small pocket pairs in Holdem?

ayahuasca · Aug 11, 2015

We all know that pocket pairs are cool against any not suited pocket cards. But when is it really worth it to play small pocket pairs and how to do that?

Any tips?

IPlay · Aug 11, 2015

6 max or full ring?

You seem new to the game so I will assume full ring.

You are really not wanting to play the baby pairs like 22-66 in the early positions(This means no limping either!!) and start opening them in middle to late position.

In pots where someone already raised you should be calling with these pairs to set mine against their probable strong range and to set mine profitably make sure they have 18x behind of what the bet you need to call is. It is also good to make sure you have position and to not be flatting these hands out of the blinds unless there is already multiple callers.

jmcurley · Aug 11, 2015

I try to trust my reads. If I think I can out play a person after the flop, I'll open, but almost never limp. I feel if I am a better player, that no matter what comes on the flop I can take it down. Of course, it's never 100% and I have been stacked a few times by getting too ****y!!!

theboss · Aug 13, 2015

Raising from early position is not profitable. Most of the times someone will flat call and you will have to play out of position or you will face a 3-bet and you will have to fold. Calling a 3-bet is not profitable because you will not hit a set that often. You can raise 2.5x (or 3x at micro and low limits) from late position. Again if you face a 3bet you should fold most of the times unless you have info that the player is 3-betting too many hands. Even if you dont hit a set on the flop you should c-bet and take down the small pot most of times since the defending blinds usually miss.

gklcap · Aug 17, 2015

I only play these from late position in cash games.

Four Dogs · Aug 25, 2015

All pairs stand to be the best starting hand, even deuces, and they're so easy to play post flop. And what do we do with good starting hands? We open raise. Why would anyone ever limp?

Raising gives you 4 ways to win. You can take it down preflop, you can win with a flop CBet, you can improve, you can even win at showdown. Don't expect too much from your little pairs, but don't be cheap either. Give those little guys the respect they deserve and toss another bet or two into the pot.

Frozrbyte · Aug 25, 2015

theboss said:
You will face a 3-bet and you will have to fold. Calling a 3-bet is not profitable because you will not hit a set that often. You can raise 2.5x (or 3x at micro and low limits) from late position. Again if you face a 3bet you should fold most of the times unless you have info that the player is 3-betting too many hands.

I think calling a 3 bet is fine provided you and the villain are deep stacked have the implied odds for it. Preferably in position as well. However at the micros I've noticed almost every player calling a 3bet to set mine regardless of the bet size and what the effective stack is.

Elmuel · Sep 2, 2015

In Heads Up situations I'll raise 3BB regardless of pair and see what the flop brings.
If I'm re-raised I'll usually only call with 9's or higher. Not worth it becoming an all in situation for anything less and getting hit with a higher pair from the flop, turn or river.

GiggityyGoo · Sep 12, 2016

cheap

try to see the flop cheap because u have a 1/9 chance hitting trips, 88 99 or 10's you can bet with a dead flop

dgospa · Sep 12, 2016

Well i limp with them or pay some raise 2bb-3bb to see flop. When i play them it's usually on late stage of tournament or some good position in cash. Limp or try to see flop cheap. If there is nothing good for you fold.

TeUnit · Sep 12, 2016

i like a small raise with them if the effective stack sizes are at least 30bbs

LLIypuk · Sep 14, 2016

In last position i raise small pocket pairs.

psyho26 · Sep 14, 2016

small pocket pair is the best hand in multi-way pots.. but it is very dangerous to cast it in numerous reraise

AsusTeam · Sep 14, 2016

I often use a pattern to play small pairs, 1/10 rule my stakes to make call to hit the crack in floop

cellait · Sep 19, 2016

I paid and I see the flop I wait three-of-a-kind or analyze the flop to decide what to do, I gained a lot of hands with three-of-a-kind against AA, KK, JJ ...

D3STR0Y3RaJ · Sep 19, 2016

Just call and see flop and turn if I have three of a kind I bet 1/2 pot and see River,if River not dangerous for me I raise to pot and all fold)))))

87shorts · Sep 19, 2016

AsusTeam said:
I often use a pattern to play small pairs, 1/10 rule my stakes to make call to hit the crack in floop

yup that is exactly how you play them, if you miss and the flop is dangerous you can get out without it crushing your stack.

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How to play small pocket pairs in Holdem?

ayahuasca

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IPlay

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jmcurley

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theboss

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gklcap

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Four Dogs

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Frozrbyte

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Elmuel

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GiggityyGoo

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dgospa

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TeUnit

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LLIypuk

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psyho26

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AsusTeam

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cellait

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87shorts

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