Discuss - How to Play Small Pairs in Poker

[scrawnybob]

hi all

poker strategy article for discussion ...

When and How to Play Small Pairs in Poker
At a table full of solid players, a small pair probably won’t get you far, but the poker rooms attract a wide variety ...

I'm putting up links to all our previous poker strategy articles - hopefully this will stimulate some discussion in the forums - good and bad feedback, thoughts etc ... anything

cheers scrawnybob

[Nerice]

Small pairs are my favorite types of hands to play. I would take 44 over AA any day. I am rarely going to lose a nice sized pot with lower pairs where I am more likely to do so with high pockets (I can lay high pockets down even on decent boards for me or pre up to QQ, but I still do hold onto them more than I should be against randoms.). I also make more, much more with smaller pairs than I do with big pairs (due to losing a small pot, or winning a big pot) and as ironic as it may seem to some, its my small pockets getting paid off by the big overpairs.

If I can find it again, will come back and post a link where Barry Greenstein talks about this and explains how high pockets can be raped by low ones to the point the high pockets could actually be a very losing hand for certain players.

[jeffsbabe]

The good thing about small pocket pairs is that you can limp in. If you're in early position it's fairly easy to fold since you don't have much invested. The odds of making a set is pretty slim. Some people will go all in with any pocket pair. I'm not that brave.

[Terminal Frost]

Some people will go all in with any pocket pair. I'm not that brave.

....or that stupid. Unless of course one is short stacked and has to make a move.

[ennotserp]

As far as all-in is concerned, calling would be a mistake, since you are probably looking at a higher pocket pair, or two higher cards (in which case you have 2 outs compared to six). Going all-in might be reasonable but only if you are short stacked or playing heads up. Otherwise limping in is an alternate choice since you can always get out of the hand cheaply if there is any action indicating an opponent has a better hand. Also watch for loose players who play anything.

[rgchan]

It,s nice to get in Cheap in the early stages of a game with small pockets.And they hit more often than slim.They hit about one in every 15 times or better I believe reading somewhere.And when they hit with an Ace also flopping you can really scoop a nice pot.
Late in a tournament (final 7 or so) game with huge blinds they can be good enough to PUSH with to take down some Blinds.
Rg

[XozzE]

A small pairl you play calm without any risk and to not been in any dangerous sittuation to be called all in and something like this. You play it slow and see what flop gives if the player is aggresive and the cards from flop dosn't advantage you, i say you can fold is bettr for your stack