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Poker: Playing Small Pocket Pairs
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Poker: Playing Small Pocket Pairs
N Kisberg
Small pocket pairs (22-77) are usually played for one reason: hitting a set on the flop. In No-Limit Hold'em, it makes sense to play any pocket pair from any position if you are playing at the right sort of table. Let's review the best ways to play small pocket pairs both before and after the flop.
Beginning with Limit Hold 'em, you should always consider the current stakes odds before making a decision about a marginal hand like a mini pocket couple. In reality , the chances are seven to one against you making trips on the flop. So, in order to play the chances, you'll need to have six others in the stakes with you.
With a hand like 2-2 or 3-3 , you don't really have many other outs, so just consider them a taking hand. With a couple of deuces, every flop you see will contain an overcard, so if your hand doesn't improve it rarely will survive a showdown, especially with more than one opponent. Larger pairs like 6-6 or 7-7 have a greater chance of standing up to three rags on the flop. If you don't have seven punters seeing the flop with your miniscule pocket pair, you can still play it, but it will be unprofitable in the long run to go against the odds.
On the other hand , with No-Limit Hold 'em, you might consider playing every pocket pair you are dealt if you can do it cheaply. It can make sense to play pocket deuces from early position if:
1. Your table is full of passive opponents who rarely raise preflop two. At least half of your pit usually calls to see the flop 3. You can release the hand if it doesn't hit on the flop.
With No-Limit, you can think more in terms of implied chances (how much you expect to make from your opponents if you hit your hand). Since there are no limits on betting, you can double your stack if you hit your set and play it right. That is definitely great chances for calling the inexpensive big unsighted Even better, you can sometimes get more than one opponent in on the hand with a draw or other medium-strong hands like two pair.
Think about it: lots of folk like to slowplay a big pocket pair like A-A. You couldn't be up against a better situation when you limp in with your pocket deuces. When the opponent sees a flop of 10-2-5 , he's going to think that his Rockets are good. Pocket Aces are going to bet or raise you, allowing you to come over the top of him.
You also have to have discipline to play any pocket couple. You HAVE to be able to release this hand when it doesn't connect on the flop. you are going to miss much more often than you hit, so have you need to have the strength to much your hand when it misses. Otherwise, you are just drawing very thin and throwing more money away. If you watch much poker on TV, you might think that it's an automatic check as soon as you make your hand on the flop. This is not true, especially in the wild online poker games. Don't give them the opportunity. If you played those pocket deuces and see a flop of 2-K-J with two hearts, you should definitely bet out. Why? There are too many draws out there and you don't want to give a no-charge card. There is nothing worse than hitting a set only to get drawn out on by J-7 suited.
You need to know how much to bet when you hit your set on the flop. If you are 1st to act and there are 4 or five opponents behind you, you should usually bet out. A pot-sized bet is good choice in this situation. It might drive your opponents out, but you can't risk giving a free card in this situation. If you are playing Limi , you should nearly always gamble out against multiple opponents. You should consider slowplaying only with a rainbow unconnected board.
It can be profitable to play mini pocket pairs from any position if you do it in the right situation and play it impressive. You'll get all the action you want and you'll love it!
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