Baby Pairs w/ Big stack in late position

[Socialpro29]

If you search for strategy videos, literature, podcasts, etc. you will hear many pros talk about avoiding small pairs as a big stack or chip leader in the mid to late stages of tourneys because of the mid to short stacks being able to make a resteal move putting you in a bad spot ICM wise and cEV wise. I know that certain variables come into play and nothing is "standard" so to speak at the tables.

With that being said I have been contemplating different lines and am wondering how others are playing a spot like this in todays game. Are you always folding, are you minraising, are you 3xing, or possibly limping?

 

[deucefactory]

If no-one is in, I would typically raise - exactly the same amount as you normally do. If theres previous limpers I would call (keep them in & mine) or raise if they're weak - don't really want to get in big pot. Good players will pick up on your patterns: limp/folds or betting min with certain hands etc.

 

[MrMiyagi420]

well i think that if folded to you you should raise other wise play it safe and fold but it's all circumstantial to how the table you're on is (i.e. are there many calling station fish shark etc )

 

[PHX]

Pros talk about this all the time cause they want lesser players to fold in this kind of spot.

Your play in this spot should be determinant on your table and your image. Small pocket pairs are good hands to put pressure on smaller stacks.

So I am mostly raising and sometimes 3 betting, calling if the raise comes from early from a player with reasonable stats. Only fold preflop if someone else is already in the hand and have a tight image or if facing more than one bet.

Never open limp. If some else limps in front of you then yes you can limp behind. If the pot is unopened you need to raise.