Calling with pairs when facing a raise..

[FeelnAcey]

I play 25 NL on Party and I will call a raise with any pair
as long as the raise is less than 10% of the opposing
players stack. My thinking, with a monster hand like AA or
KK that he is raising; when I do hit my set I am taking his
whole stack.

So I hit my set statistically 1 in 8 times and call any
raise with any pair as long as its 10% or less of a players
stack. I make most of my money on the no limit tables doing
this.

My basic strategy is to raise the same with every hand as to
not giveaway my hand.

AA, KK - raise 8 times the big blind (which is $2 on a 25NL
table) and if someone has raised before me I usually put
them to the test and reraise 3 times the amount they have
put in or go all in.

AK, AQ - I raise 8 times the big blind if no one has raised
in front of me. If someone has limped or no one has entered
the pot I will raise 8 times the big blind. If the pot has
been raised before me, I will only call if I have a decent
read on the player.

QQ, JJ - I raise 8 times the big blind if no one has raised
in front of me. If someone has limped or no one has entered
the pot I will raise 8 times the big blind. If the pot has
been raised before me, I will call and play cautiously post
flop if I don't flop trips or my pocket pair is not the
higher than the board.

AJ - This hand has gotten me in trouble. I usually limp in
or call the big blind. I throw away to any raise before me
and usually fold it if a raise comes behind me.

1010, 99, 88, 77, 66, 55, 44, 33, 22 - call the big blind.
maybe raise 1010 and 99 in late position if no one has
entered the pot. I will call a raise up 10% of the raising
players stack. Post flop I know where I stand if I hit my
set or not, or my pocket pair is above what the board shows.

I usually move tables quickly after I double my stack up,
because most players will learn how you play and its hard to
get action on raises after they learn you play real hands
and push with them.

- S.

[dcultra]

i dunno about the 8 times BB, but...
that's a interesting method.
i usually play at about 4 times... or 5 times BB....
but then... i play the micros. and i usualyl do minimum buyin...
so im pushing most times i play anyhow.

[Jayson745]

I think it depends on where your playing and what limits. Loose smaller tables need a bigger preflop raise or some jerkoff with 8 10 suited decides to look at a flop and flushes you.

[willie beaman]

I agree with the notion of protecting monsters with big raises. Depending on the table, an entry raise of 4 to 5 big blinds typically gets you in a spot where you feel comfortable. If you are getting too many callers, then I'd make 8 or 9 times the big blind to get the fish out.