Low-mid pocket pairs - how to play?

J

JKawai

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Total posts
107
Chips
0
Looking back at the stats of my last 10,000 hands, pocket-mid pairs lose me money, usually because the odds are obviously against me of flopping a set and any two pair is outdone by a higher two pair eventually on later streets.

I've generally been calling pocket pairs because I have little faith in them, and raising them would lose me more money if the hand inevitably goes to showdown, especially in the no-foldem world.

Given the fact that they hardly ever work, on average, if the advice is to raise them to push people out - doesn't that mean you might as well raise with air?

Yes a hidden full house is great to get, but how often do you get it?
 
H

hffjd2000

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 6, 2014
Total posts
2,329
Chips
0
Flopping a set is almost 10% (11.8%).

Low-mid pockets are actually flexible to play since you can either bet, call, raise or fold them.
 
E

erlanditas

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 27, 2014
Total posts
253
Chips
0
When I started playing zoom on pokerstars I had the same problem with low pocket pairs, I've seen that most of money I lost limping pocket pairs.
 
J

JKawai

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Total posts
107
Chips
0
Flopping a set is almost 10% (11.8%).

Low-mid pockets are actually flexible to play since you can either bet, call, raise or fold them.

What do you mean they are flexible? Isn't any hand flexible depending on the circumstances?

I just think any draw where the odds are worse than 5:1 seems not worth it. Inside straights are another one where I just p*** away money because the bet size would actually be lower than the call at 10.5:1 and low bets denotes weakness anyway (generally)
 
H

heavystack

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Total posts
147
Chips
0
I pretty much always limp with small pairs then play by others actions. The only time I raise them is in late position when folded to me or a squeeze play. My idea is to keep the pots small until you hit, but thats only online..
 
J

JKawai

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Total posts
107
Chips
0
I pretty much always limp with small pairs then play by others actions. The only time I raise them is in late position when folded to me or a squeeze play. My idea is to keep the pots small until you hit, but thats only online..

Have you got evidence of profit with playing these hands this way?
 
G

GreatLeslie

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 10, 2014
Total posts
165
Chips
0
You're going to flop a set 1 in 8 times I believe, so when do flop a set you need to make sure you play the hands as slow as possible depending on the board texture of course to make as much money from your opponents in return for those times when you don't flop a set.

Usually if the flop is pretty dry such as Ks,5h,3d and I have a pocket pair of 7's I'll probably stick a small probe bet in there to see if anyone has anything, and ideally if everyone folds at this point you should be pretty happy. If the board was more wet however such as giving someone the ability for a flush draw or a straight draw then i'd probably consider just checking. I also wouldn't bet small with a low pocket pair either, so if the flop came up Ks,9d,4h and I had pocket 3's then i'd most definitely check and then fold.
 
J

JKawai

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 29, 2014
Total posts
107
Chips
0
You're going to flop a set 1 in 8 times I believe, so when do flop a set you need to make sure you play the hands as slow as possible depending on the board texture of course to make as much money from your opponents in return for those times when you don't flop a set.

Usually if the flop is pretty dry such as Ks,5h,3d and I have a pocket pair of 7's I'll probably stick a small probe bet in there to see if anyone has anything, and ideally if everyone folds at this point you should be pretty happy. If the board was more wet however such as giving someone the ability for a flush draw or a straight draw then i'd probably consider just checking. I also wouldn't bet small with a low pocket pair either, so if the flop came up Ks,9d,4h and I had pocket 3's then i'd most definitely check and then fold.

Thanks for the advice!
 
G

GWU73

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 18, 2012
Total posts
785
Chips
0
Open raise in every position, but do not be afraid to fold to too much action. (if you are not comfortable playing oop, fold pairs under 88 in the first couple spots)play them cautiously, yet aggressively. Try to win small pots when you open with a c-bet bluff on good flops. You can also value bet when you get a good, non set flop vs most players. Usually if you do not set up, then just give up after the flop when OOP. IP You can apply more pressure when you sense weakness, otherwise the plan stays the same.

By playing aggressively, you disguise all your hands and force your opponents to guess how strong your hands are. When they have to guess they will be wrong more often, and you will make more money. Middle & low pairs are good money makers when played well.

DO NOT SLOW PLAY SETS!!!!! You will win the minimum and lose the maximum. REPEAT>>>> DO NOT SLOW PLAY SETS!!!!!
 
Top