Best way to handle low pocket pairs preflop

#1 23rd August 2008, 4:05 PM

This has to be one of my biggest weaknesses. I never know if I should overbet them, fold em (which a set usually happens) or just call and see if a set flops and go from there.
I dont know I just have huge problems and lose on 9/10 times I play pocket pairs under say 9s

#2 23rd August 2008, 4:40 PM

thats a massive leak in your game if it usually happens.
RULE OF THUMB.
1. If the pot gets too big and it starts to get a bit to raisy and theres atleast one overcard or more fold.
2.Usually if there is atleast 1 allin and the chips are deep regardless if u have an over pair its very unlikely its got the best matchup
3.if the pair is from js and under just limp in or call a one bet raise never call rerasies preflop with Js and under.
4. Never make the pot too big with a pair of J and under if u havent flopped a set.

#3 23rd August 2008, 4:40 PM

Under 9's, I will only raise if I'm in late position. My raise depends on how many limpers are in the pot and how tight the table is. If I've got threes on the button, I'm limping. But if I've got 8's in the cutoff and no limpers, I'm raising 3x BB.

#4 23rd August 2008, 4:42 PM

I hope u apply the rules carefull m8
and remeber Qs to As usually try to get all your chips in preflop and just dont min raise if u do so.

#5 23rd August 2008, 6:28 PM

I like to use small pockets as my wildcard hands or my mixup hands. Sometimes I raise with them. Sometimes I will just limp or call. If I raise with them, I usually c-bet and try to pick up the pot. Sometimes when I call a raise, I will call down or raise on a dry board with no A or K.

I've been called an idiot many times after I trusted my gut and called all the way down on a 862J5 board because my instincts told me he was overplaying AK or AQ and I was right.

#6 23rd August 2008, 6:52 PM

the thing with low pocket pairs is you dont want to overvalue them.. if your set doesnt hit.. most of the time its no good anymore.. but then again you're going to have a slight advantage against any 2 overcards.. the way you bet them will be determined by the situation and the player you play.. you generally dont want to fold them if no one raises and hope to see a set and bust a 2 pair.. but you dont want to get crazy and call reraises or go all in.. only to know that you are either dominated or at best racing...

#7 23rd August 2008, 6:57 PM

To get rid of low pocket pair is to raise not too much but what ever you think is enough will get them out of the pot but not make you pot commited. I know when ever someone raises when i have Pocket 2 or 3 I usually fold enough i have a massive chip advantage.

#8 23rd August 2008, 7:11 PM

Thanks for the tips guys, I have been trying these out in the game I am in atm and it has helped a ton. Both saving and gaining chips.

No onto weakness # 2 chasing damn strights and flushes lol

#9 23rd August 2008, 7:32 PM

USUALLY I would say call a min raise or evn 2Xs BB--until today!! At the CC FR at FT today I had pkt Ks (the ONLY decent hand I got all day!) and I raised the pot, and got called! Good! I got one on the line! Comes the flop---sumpin' like 5-7-10 unsuited---HU (others fold) he bets, I push all in--he freakin' CALLS! Turn and River show nothing---and don't he have a set 5s against my pr Ks?? So here come that over-used word, again---DEPENDS!! And I was playing tight--the 1st time I really bet at all---BUT He calls w/gut feeling and blows me out! So low pkt pair? CALL!

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