Pocket Pair

Here's what strategy I use when I have pocket pair:
If I have a low pocket pair, like pocket fours, I will raise a fair amount (100-300) pre-flop. If I have a high pocket pair (face pockets or bullets) I raise a substantial amount (300-600) pre-flop, but never go all in pre-flop, no matter what I have. I have been burned way too many times by going in with the nut starting hand, only to have another player earn a three-of-a-kind or even a FH on the flop.

low pp, you shouldnt be raising. hell you shouldnt even be calling from anything but mp with limpers/lp. on button/in the blinds with 3+ limpers ill minraise.

but youre only gonna stick with low pp if you hit the set, and the only odds you have to hit that justify you only calling or minraising with 4 followers preflop.

In a sit'n'go? A multi-table tournament? I presume you're not talking cash games.

How many players at the table, what are the stack sizes, what's your position, has there been any action before you and what day of the week is it?

Having a basic strategy to playing is all good, but when it comes to pocket pairs, there's just so many things that factor in that no specific strategy will ever fit all - or even most - scenarios.

That said, if it's early in an SnG, I like to limp with small pocket pairs if there's been no raise and if I don't expect any, if my stack can handle it. The implied value I get out of a set usually covers it for me.

Larger pairs (88+) and it's all position, read and stack dependent.

low pair i will call the blind and the same again if there is a raise after my call.a high pair up to queens i tend to call or raise 300 or 400 aces kings big bet and willing to go allin if i have too

I like to limp with pps 2-7s because alot of times they get way out flopped by higher cards or bigger pps. 8s-As I like to raise 4-5xbb because more often than not Ill get action out for at least 1 player. I dunno if this is true but Ive heard that you trip a pp 1 out of 3 times you get them. Thats not relevant really but just a handy little thing to have in mind.

no - it's 1 out of every 7.5 pp you get.

If it were true it certainly would be relevant. But...

joosebuck is correct. Looks like this forum is going to benefit you.

4 Dogs and joosebuck totally agree with you both. Guess I've been burnt to much of that kind but have been burnt with poc. A's and K's so I'd rather sit back and play it cool for a bit.

Thanks Joose I didnt really know but that was what i thought i heard

I dunno if this is true but Ive heard that you trip a pp 1 out of 3 times you get them. .[/quote]

Genuine advice. Learn your basic poker maths before you play another hand! Without it, you will never have a chance.

Good luck at the tables.

Paul