Playing Pocket low Pairs

I seem to never be able to play low to medium, up to 9,9, to my avantage. I would like some hints how to play them in NL Holdem. The only time I'm not shy about playing them is when I am shortstacked. I find I can't seem to bring myself to raise or call a raise with these PP's. I don't have a problem raising with 2 face cards. Is there any strategy that I can use?

I would raise in late position if it had been checked around or you just get one caller you may get the pot there and then if not you may hit your set on the flop. Mid position just call, early position throw away all but pp10's and upwards if flop comes low to medium pairs no set no bet

Playing low poker pair depends on Position, and cost to see a flop.

In early position, fold them. In late position, make a call pre flop if the price is right.

One major rule I use. If I call to see the flop with a small pocket pair, I fold if dont hit a set.

And, usually, If I hit a set, I will check on the flop hoping someone will bet the hand for me.

Then on 4th Street, start builting a pot. If bet get heavy, and no good pot odds, fold the set.

But, dont play unless the bet is low. Limp in and hope for a set. Other wise release your hand.


mange

Try not to fall in love with a pocket pair. Here's a few stats that might help you in that goal.

First of all you need to know that you only hit a set on the flop like 1 out of 8 times. So you really want to consider the number of people in the pot. So your most important bet will be your pre-flop bet.

I try to keep with the coin flip rule. Basically I will not play a pair unless I have at least 50% chance to win. I can play any heads up pair with at least 50% chance, but if there is more than 1 person in the pot, it's not so clear cut.



As you can see if I have JJ against 1 person I have pretty good odds at a 78% win chance. But that same JJ drops to a 49% chance to win in a 4 way pot.

After that I consider the pot odds, scare cards, texture, and everyone's table image (including mine).

I always limp if I can in any position unless the blinds are too large and if I hit a set and the board doesnt look like flush or draw possiblity I will just check otherwise you have to bet.

I think you answered your own question, it's something to do with confidence and post-flop play. In the early stages of a mtt when the blinds are small most players flat call or see a small raise for set value. If they dont hit they are done with the hand.
In the middle stages and later stages most players fold them. The more aggressive players will play these in late position and in the blinds for a raise to steal the blinds or for a resteal. They also do a continuation bet of more than 50% of the pot unless it is a particularly scary flop with straight and flush draws. If someone stays with you they have a hand or the makings of a hand. On the river, if you have position, you will nearly always get a free card, whether you accept it depends on your read of your opponent. If you check he will come out firing and you will have to fold and most of your stack is gone but you're still in the game. The other players decision is often based on his stack size and whether he is pot commited as yours should be too. bad players and very good players will not surrender the pot often on a board that does not have an Ace or King. The good players have a read on your playing style and will take you all the way knowing they can win back their stack with superior play. For that reason I would push all-in and represent strenght to the end.

I normally just call and dont raise.... unless its 1 on 1... and normally i don't call a big raise if the person makes an early raise... I dont like the feeling because with like 22 or 33 every card on the flop is going to screw you unless you hit that pair...

It depends if i am playing no limit or limit cash games, what my position is and whats going on at the table. but mostly i will just call with a low and see if i hit my set, so not alot of damage if i dont.

Fold the set on the turn if betting gets heavy==what????

I would happily ship my set every time if the "betting gets heavy" Unless the board texture looks very dangerous like 3 of the same suit or keeps straitening.

You need to remember you hit a set about 1 out of 10 times. So make sure the person or persons you are calling have at least 10 times the call amount in their stacks.

Always calling with a low PP is not smart. When you put "I always" in front of starting hand its usually a bad thing. I fold 44 down UTG and UTG +1. I raise with all PP's my standard 3x raise after that if I am first in. Depending on the board I almost always c-bet my PPs if I hit or not.

If I call a raise with a PP I always hope for an A or K to hit the board if I flop a set. I will usually not slow play as much in that situation Im just praying dude has AK or AQ and will stack off.

If I dont hit a set in a multi-way pot I usually just shut down and wait for a better spot.

I dont mind calling with a mid PP in late position but not usually to a short stack. I will either raise him or just get out.

Depends on your position, chips, your opponents and your image...
Just call and try to hit trips or play your position after the flop!
Call a raise if you can afford it.
Raise sometimes to vary your game.

What game do you play? In shorthanded cash games, PPs of any denomination are huge. In tournament play its entirely situational depending on how deep the stacks are, and what your position is at the table.

Please state a little more about your game, and you will get better advice.

low pockets are almost those hands that you do not want to see a flop with, i.e raise big, get as many people out of the pot as you can, so that your odds go up. It depends the type of player you are tho, im a tight player, but i also play low pockets very aggresively, and play them like the nuts... if i hit a set or not i still put the pressure on u to make a decision.

I ask question with my bets, as soon as i get an answer i dont like, i fold

Raise them from late position and follow up with a healthy bet on the flop even if you miss... if nobody else raises of course. I stole quite a few pots with good position and pairs like 22 - 55 in a live tourney I played yesterday. The whole tourney I think I only flopped one set and that was with aces

early position, depending on the table, jacks and below, i'm not afraid to just fold, especially if the blinds are real high and its a tourney. i try to limp on in and take a peak with most pairs if the price is right. i guess i don't trust them so much, which has always been fine by me. i'll shove with pocket 2's though if i'm on my way out anyway. all depends. poker, damn it all..game of situations

In position I will play any pair. Out, easy fold.

For tourney play, Late position.. i will play any... esp early stages.

When the blinds comes and I'm shortstacked... and I feel I need to double up.. I will chance the flip.. depending on the action. Crucially, I will isolate if I can. You want a flip and not to be against 2 or more players! I've made this mistake recently...

Thanks for the great and useful advice. I will definately use the graph.

playing low and middle pairs is very tricky. i love playing them because is a rather easy way to fool others if you hit a set. normaly if i have a low pair and the flop doesn't bring me a set i fold. good luck

It all depends on pre-flop action and position.
If you're first to act, most likely limp in and hope someone raises (If you were going to raise anyway).
If you get pocket 2's 3's - treat them equal to high cards but don't raise.
(statistically High cards vs. Low pocket pairs is almost 50/50).
If your on the button or small blinds and everyone limps in don't be afraid to test the waters and raise...BIG you don't want those limpers who have low suited connectors or picture rags to call.
As far as you're concerned, you're way ahead preflop with lowmid to mid pp's...

early + mid tournament limp pocket pair 66 or lower end of tournament fold them.. and raise every pair 77+

i usally call when i have a low pair and test to see how the flop is and see if i can get a lucky flop or i just flop if a higher card comes out.