How do you play those middle pocket pairs??

Middle pocket pairs in my opinion are the hardest hand to play. In a no limit touney situation I never seem to make the right choice. You can't just call. You can't go all in unless you are the chip leader and in that case it doesn't make much sence to. And you can't fold because you may as well give up.
Any suggestions???????????

I always try to play them this way...the Chris Ferguson way.

I will open up for a standard raise pre-flop with them, unless that raise has already been made, in which case I'll flat call. Unless someone's went all in and there's only two decisions to make in that position, I won't fold pre-flop with them. If they do move in, my choice depends on that person's table image.

Come the flop, if my pair is an over-pair, I'll come in for a bet. If I was the agressor pre-flop, a player with a larger overpair might think I hit the set on the flop. If I hit my set, I might check and let loose players bet into me.

If it comes overcards on the flop, I'll check and let other people take action. If a tight player comes in, I'll fold, he probably has the goods. If a loose player, or a bluff central bets, I might just flat call, thinking he's got crap.

The hardest part is not playing these cards, you've got a pair, pair can be golden tickets. The hardest part is knowing when to let middle pairs go.

i think it depends on position, if the blinds are high and you are early in position it is better to fold, whereas in late good position a raise or call is better, i like to see a flop and if i dont hit a set get out

Im all in on them, you will get AK and AQ and AJ callers and your only trying to dodge 2 cards through the deal. The worst part is you also get the higher pockets calling you.
I would really prefer to not call because you will only end up folding them once you see the flop (well 90% of the time). I only want to play 1 person when I get those hands.

I like raising middle pairs from good positions, but I'm just calling most of the time, especially if a lot of players are already in. I think of middle pairs almost the same as an A junk suited hand: you're hoping to either hit the flop big or get out and avoid trouble.

i would rather have 99 than JJ or QQ because if you dont hit your flop or someone over raises you can easily fold 99.... the hooks and ladies get me in so much trouble all the time.

In a tourney today...Had 9's. Blinds were eating me up and only had about 6xBB so I moved in hoping for steal. Had one caller, AJ os.


Flop came xJJ, Turn J, River 2


No Mercy...

that happens....ive cracked AA so many times with 99 its not funny

i just call to see if the flop help me with a better hand

To me, middle pair are easier to deal with because they are easier to fold when your card does not hit the flop. For instance, let's say you have 77 and the flop is something like 6 10 K. It doesn't help you in anyways and then you fold your pocket to any call. But if you had QQ then you might wanna stay in the hand even though you know that anyone holding a K is better then you. Then you'll probably end up losing more money. The way I play them at first is to double the blind in order to make sure all the non-serious hands fold and you get only serious callers.

The way I play them at first is to double the blind in order to make sure all the non-serious hands fold and you get only serious callers.[/QUOTE

And then if somebody goes all in preflop??????