Ah yes... pocket pairs... both my bread and butter and still yet the bane of my existence! LOL
No... but really... pocket pairs are interesting in that there are SO many variables that determine how I play them these days. Maybe that is why they have been kinder to me lately.
In fact, I would say that of the different parts of my game that have actually improved over the last few months (probably because I haven't got to play as much... LOL) is my relationship with pocket pairs.
Nice big PPs like AA and KK (sometimes even QQ) I will usually play a bit gently PF, depending on my position, and then very aggressively later on. Of course, it always bears mentioning that starting cards are JUST CARDS... they are NOT A HAND.. you will need 5 cards for that so even with rockets I try to be smart and realizt that the flop can bring anything (especially in a multi-way pot). That said, I still often follow AA down the drain KNOWING I should fold them... it hurts to fold them... but... sometimes it has to be done! LOL
Other, say med PPs like JJ-99, I play more aggresively PF but still hope for a set but sometimes will still bet them depending on the texture of the board and the action.
Low PPs I usually just call depnding on the action and my position (I am always more aggressive in late position) and hope for the set... No set, No bet... thats my rule! LOL
But the truth is... everything depends really... YEAH I think I do better following the rules but there are a lot of factors to think about form board texture to opponent style and even what you had for dinner last night (although thats really only important in LIVE games... LOL :joyman: ) ANYWAY thats enough... although I could go on and on and on about the freakin' contingencies that could probably go into to playing pocket pairs... I am still learning and that is one hard lesson to learn... I am hoping for some more suggestions!