playing low pocket pairs againts raise?

This is regarding cash games and may apply to trnys as well but I was wondering if you guys play these against a normal raise? Low pocket pairs meaning like 6 and under . I usually fold these againts a raise because you could be up againts a higher pair and you only a slight favorite againts 2 overcards. Is it ok to play these against a raise and several callers because of the odds that you may hit the set? I just folded a pair of 4s that would ve made a set on teh flop and there were several people on the flop. how many players should you call a raise with in order for it to be a good call?

In a cash game, I think calling a PF raise with small pairs is +ev because of the implied odds. If you do hit a set, you know the other person has a good enough hand that you'll probably get paid off. In a tourney it depends on a lot of factors, stack size, reads, position, size of the raise etc.

It's worth it for implied odds if your stack and those of your opponents are deep. You'll hit set 1 time in 8, so you need to make back more than 8 times the raise amount for +ve EV.

I don't tend to call with very low pairs (22, 33, 44) because there's more of a risk that someone will hit a higher set. Also, never call a re-raise with a small pair - it's just too expensive and risky.

Plus in a cash game, if you do everything right with the right odds and things still go belly up and bust you, you can always reload. Can't do that in a normal (non-rebuy) tourney. So add that to the +EV for implied odds and it is more incentive to at least see a flop.

In a cash game if I'm the first one in after raise I normally fold. If there is already two in the pot I'll call providing its not reraised. I don't like to call if I'm heads up for the simple fact i like to be getting at least 2 to 1 preflop and if i do hit my set implied odds will be more. But thats just me.

Bombjack said:

You'll hit set 1 time in 8, so you need to make back more than 8 times the raise amount for +ve EV.

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You actually need to make a lot more than this because
a) Your set won't always win (though it will most of the time)
b) Someone could re-raise behind you pre-flop and you can't call

Fortunately sets lend themselves to big pots because you have a big hand that's totally invisible. Even better if the board pairs and you're up against a flush or trips. Often medium pairs that make a set have a lot of surprise value, and if you're against a raiser who now has an overpair to the board, that's good for you as well. I'd go as far as to say I make most of my profit out of sets.

Its important to note that re-raising with a small to medium PP is only advisable if it is likely that you will get the raiser heads up.

The odds are in your favor heads up against any non-pair, but add more players into the mix and you are much more likely to be beat.

If there are other players who have called the raise or who are likely to call a reraise you need to either fold or call (if there are enough other callers to justify it).

Personally I rarely play anything smaller than 77, and then it is usually when there are a lot of callers in front of me.

Elmer, I suggest you remove your links to the Bonus Codes. This site has it's own bonus codes

Here's my theory (and I'm probably completely wrong, so someone please correct me if you think so). If there is a raise, and you hold a small pocket pair in late position, and there are several callers, I think it is a good idea to call (provided there are no re-raises to the original raiser). Here's why I think so...what hands do players usually call/raise with? Higher cards, right? So, if you have several callers to a raise, chances are a lot of them are holding these high cards, which increases your odds of hitting some low cards on the flop and possibly a set, while their chances of hitting their overcards (with several players hopefully holding same type cards) has deminished.

Please tell me what you guys think of this "theory" and if it holds any water. I'll be interested in hearing what others have to say about this.

Edit: I should have added a however to this as well: If you don't hit the flop hard (i.e. make a set), DO NOT stay married to this hand. Get out if you don't hit the flop.

I would agree completely. If your the last one in and your geting 3,4 or more on your money even with ducks. I'd call this. Specially if you hit your set and the flop is rags and one of the other callers has a A, rag or a K ,rag and they hit their rag with top kicker. I've seen this many a time in ring games. You can cause them to get stacked if hey hit two pair on turn or river.

Just so happens I saw this article today:

How to play small pairs[FONT=Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]There's been much written on the subject of playing small pairs in Texas Hold'em. Small pairs consist of 2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5 and 6-6. With so many words devoted to the topic, it's obvious that there are opposing theories regarding the best way to play them.

Here are my suggestions.

Unlike higher pairs, small pairs should not be played in all situations. Several factors determine whether you should enter a pot with a small pair: position, chip count, number of players, and cost to play.

In a typical ten-handed game, playing a small pair from early position simply won't show you a profit at the end of the year.

Your chip count and your opponent's stack size are also important considerations when deciding to call. If a player raises to 600 and only has 500 left, it's just not worth trying to catch trips on the flop, since you'll only be able to win an additional 500.

If, however, both you and your opponent have 30,000 in front of you, it makes more sense to see a flop for 600. If you're lucky enough to catch a set on the flop, you'll win a monster pot.

The number of players needs to be a considered, too, especially in a structured, limit game. Small pairs fare fine against one opponent, but generally don't do well in three or four-handed pots. However, if there are five or more players, you'd be getting excellent value. Go ahead and try to hit your set.

Small pairs want to see the flop as cheaply as possible. If someone just calls the big blind in front of you, then you can limp along for the minimum bet, hoping to capitalize after the flop. However, if the blinds are, say, 100-200, and an opponent raises the pot to 1,500, that's just too large a bet for you to stick around.

Once you've actually gotten to a flop, how you proceed depends on the number of opponents in the pot. If there are several players remaining, you should only continue if you flop three of a kind.

Against one or two opponents, though, you've got my green light to take one more shot at winning the pot. When choosing to do that, flop texture is of the utmost importance.

Suppose you're in a three-way pot and the flop comes Qh-10d-9h. This is a horrible flop for your lowly pair of fives; if anyone bets, fold. Even if they don't bet, you shouldn't try a bluff here, since it's far too likely that one of your opponents has something to go with that flop, like J-10 or Q-K.

A better texture would look something like Q-Q-3 or K-7-2.

With these flops, you can go ahead and bet your small pairs. Your opponents will probably fold unless they have a queen or king. If you consider yourself an aggressive player, you might try raising with these hands on occasion.

The best time to raise is when you're looking to steal the blinds. This strategy only works if no one has entered the pot before you. Also, being in late position increases the chances of the play being successful. If you raise from early position, there are too many hands to act behind you that might call.

When you raise with a small pair in position, you must play it strong after the flop. If an opponent in the blind calls your raise, then you must bet on virtually any flop -- even a flop as ugly as A-K-Q! Because you raised pre-flop, he'll think that you improved your hand. If he has a hand like Q-9, you'll probably win the pot with an aggressive bet.

Here's my rule of thumb: When playing small pairs, play them cheaply if you can, and only continue after the flop if you hit your trips.
By Daniel Negreanu[/FONT]

yeah i was watching afull tilt poker show and it said play them as cheaply as possible and call any bet up to 4x the BB. If their raising and you call and spike trips its Payday.

JQ has a point by mentioning position in her theory. also, think about the other players that are already in the pot ahead of you, and whether this/that person was the original bettor or raiser.

This is how I look at it, if you can get in cheap then do it. If the raise is double the blind then I call every time. If it's triple the blind I use discretion. Any more than triple I fold unless the raiser is a lose player and I'm in position. You gotta think about it, if your trips hit the chance is that you could probably milk the raiser out of some money. If they don't you can get out of the hand without losing a lot. The ratio between the two is huge. You'll be ahead in the long run.

I would have to say I would call a small raise in that case if there were 4 or more callers in the pot. With the pot odds in your favor why not try for the trips.