How do you play those middle pocket pairs??

A

acemagnets

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Total posts
28
Chips
0
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???????????
 
H

HangukMiguk

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Total posts
6
Chips
0
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.
 
L

lilmayo

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 22, 2005
Total posts
20
Chips
0
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
 
S

sublimer21

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Total posts
50
Chips
0
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.
 
T

toead

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 15, 2005
Total posts
23
Chips
0
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.
 
bpazjr13

bpazjr13

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Total posts
120
Chips
0
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.
 
F

frisco

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Total posts
18
Chips
0
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...
 
bpazjr13

bpazjr13

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 28, 2005
Total posts
120
Chips
0
that happens....ive cracked AA so many times with 99 its not funny
 
donK

donK

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 26, 2005
Total posts
39
Chips
0
i just call to see if the flop help me with a better hand
 
B

benmoffet

Rising Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 16, 2005
Total posts
22
Chips
0
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.
 
A

acemagnets

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Total posts
28
Chips
0
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??????
 
S

snaiper82

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 18, 2020
Total posts
10
Chips
0
I play the average pocket pairs if I am in the late stage of the baton, if I did not get into the flop, I call another street if he continues to raise and the card is higher on the table, then I pass .I like it when I get into a set)))
 
G

Gutshot90

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Total posts
3
Chips
0
It really depends on the stack sizes, position and player images. First in you can always try a steal from middle to late position. If i get 3bet i usually fold, if you get a call then you can consider a cb depending on tbe flop structure, position and how many villains are still in.

I would only consider a call if the effective stack is deep enough for a profitable setmining, you end up missing the flop and folding a lot, so the times you hit your set you want to be able to play a huge pot.

Deep in a Tournament there is also the possibility to resteal/reshove against various players. Sometimes there are better Spots for this, sometimes you might just let it go and wait for a better chance.

And then there is the shove as a shortstack just to search for a flip to get this needed double up.

In all these above options dont forget to think about how many players are still to act behind you and what their tendencies are, so position matters alot like always in Poker.
 
M

Mikeloti13

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 11, 2017
Total posts
479
Chips
0
Middle pairs are not that tough. You raise or call a raise. Sometimes 3 bet but not often. Sometimes flat call a 3 bet but its risky. Post flop they dont play that good if you dont get a set. But are still strong on dry boards, depends on the pre flop action
 
Top