low pocket pairs...

Do you just fold them, or limp in? I never know what to do.. I always just want to get out because they're so easily dominated, but i don't know if I'm tilting when I do that.. Getting it in my head that I can't win with them..

How do you all play them??

Um, well it depends on a lot of factors, what is you position, are there raisers/reraisers in front of you. How is the table loose/tight, etc. There are many variables that go into deciding what to do with any hand.

Generally, you want to try to see small pairs cheaply hoping to flop a set, lots of limpers is good with small pairs. After flop action the phrase "no set, no bet" comes to mind, but not always depending on the other players and the flop.

If you have a hand history, the players here will be glad to offer advice with a little more detail.

<P>honestly -- there is no hand history due to the fact&nbsp;I fold them.&nbsp; I'm afraid of them.&nbsp; i've just seen so many rough hands because of pocket pairs..&nbsp; When I get the guts to play them, I'll post HH...</P>

Why? Do you over play them? Are you playing them after players have raised in front of you? Are you raising with them and getting callers with overcards that hit? Are you raising/calling with pocket 4s with a board of A, K, 9? Nobody can really answer you without some specifics. What is it that makes you so afraid of pockets? Any 2 cards can win and any 2 cards can lose, there is nothing supernatural about small pocket pairs. I suspect that when you have played them you may have overplayed them. Small pairs should be the type of hand that you lose small pots with or win big pots with which is the reverse of big pockets which can win you a small pot and lose you a big one.

my guess is you don't have the ability to fold them once the flop hits and there is some aggression shown. I mean if you have small Pocket Pairs you are really just playing for set value and have to be able to get rid of them if you don't hit set or a killer flop. Like if you have 88 and flop 567. You need to have a great textured flop to continue with low pockets after flop if you don't hit set.


I mean you can take a shot with small pockets like if you got 55 and flop is AT7 you can make a bet on the flop but if you are raised or called you are most likely behind and have to be able to fold.

That depend on position, if early, I raise ussually 3x blind. If late and can call just big blind i go for it hoping to catch on the flop. A lot of thing come in to play

Low pocket's I mostly just limp and play for set value.. I don't try and get too fancy with them.

Well, let me explain. If u raise (early pos.) , it causes most to fold. People with an A or K may call to see the flop. If u hit the flop and they do too chances r u got them or if the flop is rags u r still in good position if u bet strong.

thanks for the help you all!

The way you play should depend on position.
If you are in early position, you should push preflop, flop and turn. This represents that you have a hand, and represents that you have a big hand. Most people will get out of your way unless they have a monster, which is why you check the river to try and minimize losses.
If you are in middle position, you should never play. You could get bullied from early position, and you don't know what is going to happen from late position. Too many bad things could happen.
If you are in late position, you should only stay in the hand if the pot is unraised, and if there are only 2 or 3 players in the hand. In this case, push all the way, and try to buy the pot. If these are not the circumstances of the hand, get out.
The key is, represent big, no one else knows what you are holding. You could actually hit your trips, or buy the pot. Well worth the gamble in certain situations.

Isnt that pretty much with any2 cards when you want to buy a pot, not jut a pocket pair?

the way i play pocket pairs really depends on how the table is playing, if it is a tight table, then i raise 55+ 3 or 4 x BB
on a looser table i raise 5 or 6 BBs

I have to disagree with everyone saying limp in late position... if it is a loose table, then yes.. limp by all means.... but on a tighter table i like to raise it up... no use letting the limpers holding 56sooted to crack ur 77 on a 256 rainbow flop...

basically... avoid family pots, so even when u dont make your set, you still might have the better hand against 1 or 2 players

cacain, just follow simple rules with them if they scare you so much.

Limp in with them (or even call a small raise). if you hit set, hands yours. If you dont and someone shows strength, just click fold. Just look for the sets. Sets make you a lot of money and chips.Flop of AK4 with you holding two fours is just too beautiful to miss out on