Low Pocket Pairs

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Kevin Nguyen

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How do we play this? Whenever I get say pocket deuces I will raise to maybe 3-5 bb, then the flop comes and its rainbow 5,6,10 someone raises and I'm forced to fold, so how do we play low pocket pairs? While we're at it, how do you play medium pocket pairs? Any help would be appreciated, thank you!
 
PCK

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Depends on the position,stack sezis,i never limp with low pocket pairs,make a min bet,than i make a cbet if the flop comes big cards,if i hit the set again make the cbet ,every player have a different play of this pocket pairs
 
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satirist

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I tend to treat low pocket pairs such as 22 or 33 the same way I would, say, an 810 or j9 suited... A lot of my final decision depends on position, counter intel, tendency and equity. Sure, you could dominate AK or KQ, etc. with 22, but realistically, all you're guaranteed is low pair.
 
horizon12

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Basically better to play low pairs preflop only limp, if some one raise after you need fold....Also if you have less 30bb fold all low pairs in preflop...

In postflop game, only play set value, no set = check/fold.... Is it strategy only for mtt or sng..
 
starting_at_the_bottom

starting_at_the_bottom

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In passive games I just limp or call a small raise if several conditions are met

- Nobody behind is likely to squeeze
- The raiser considers top pair an auto stack off
- Their stack size makes the call worthwhile

This works in the micros as the standard is so poor on the whole. I dont see the point raising myself if I can limp and not get punished for it. 20nl and above this style will probably not work as people actually pay attention.
 
army-ninja

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What really surprised me is that the new "unbeatable" card bot teaches players, and it often holds low pocket pairs and even bets them. It didn't seem to have any great respect to position either, but who knows... That may have been a factor.

I have always thrown away pocket pairs of 7 or under.. Maybe I need to rethink
 
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Geldi

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As each combination, and in the drawing of low pocket pairs, has its own special strategy. At the table, the most frequent situations such as: your word - the first in front of you a few players went into the game without increasing and there are opponents who raised it.
Consider a situation where you say the first word. If your game is at a long table cache, low pocket pairs, it is desirable to reset. It makes sense to play low pocket pair only if you are on the button or in the small blind. Play a pair of 33 -66 only need to raise. When playing at a table with the maximum number of players - six people, you can play the classic style of tight, but in this case it makes sense to throw the low pair, the exception would be two sixes. If the game goes one-on-one, regardless of the height of the pair, it is best to bet. In Hold'em, sometimes even pocket deuces can stand above the unpaired hands AK. A good all-in can drastically change the game at the table, so couples need to play very carefully.
If more than one player in front of you thrown off the card or logged in without raising, you might want to consider a raise. In this case, you need to pay attention to the nature and behavior of your opponents may find among them "fish." In position can allow enough big raise, but do not forget to leave yourself an out. At the same time you should try to close the output enemies. If you are not so sure, do donk bet and see a flop. At low vapor is highly likely that one of your opponents top card may be higher than yours, even if your opponent has no flush or straight, your chances of winning are vague enough.
The most difficult situation is drawing low pocket pairs a raise at the opponent. At a tournament game, you need to consider the size of your own stack. Depending on the size of the stack with respect to the bank, you have to choose the style of the game - the smaller the ratio, the more aggressive or loose should be your style. All your actions are inextricably linked to the size of the raise of the enemy. If your opponent is hoping to go to the end, his bid will be more than a third of his stack. If you raise less than a third, it is possible that he did not sufficiently strong hands and he is ready to leave the game. To play it safe, it is best to respond to low raise and you will be able to see the flop.
For your situation will be the most optimal for broke, this can confuse the opponent and he will throw cards. However, if your opponent is going to play again, make an impressive raise, but to answer the all-in with low vapor is highly undesirable.
 
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11012015

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No system by which they will be advantageous. A lot will depend on luck! I like to play them a check call.
 
theRaven68

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it depends on stack, position, game phase, other players...
i prefer to limp with a small pair but i never play expensive hand with it
 
jazzaxe

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I generally avoid betting these in early position and tend to limp in in later positions if able. You really need to hit a set with these. If you don't hit on the flop they need to be tossed.
 
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Julys

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NEVER go ALL IN with down pairs (33-44-55-66-77)... You have to race a little and try to see flop, if you have lucky you will touch three of a kind maybe, and that's cool, other players never think that you have a big hand. If not... don't worry best hands will comme, so fold it...
 
thetick33

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How do we play this? Whenever I get say pocket deuces I will raise to maybe 3-5 bb, then the flop comes and its rainbow 5,6,10 someone raises and I'm forced to fold, so how do we play low pocket pairs? While we're at it, how do you play medium pocket pairs? Any help would be appreciated, thank you!

ummm more information too many variables. Are we taking in a tournament or at ring live or online? What is table image? What is the other players styles? What notes do you have or history to help play.

I mix up my games. In tournaments I am a thinker so am looking to see as many flops as possible. I will limp with every hand in deck at times. I raise at times but change betting amounts. I show some bluffs I show some dumb moves at both ring or tourney play. I show some nutts.

the beauty of your pocket garbage to me deuces? If you miss the flop and toss? Hopefully is better hands coming? I believe that always believe in tourneys will get cards when needed dont worry like a lot of players or people here even that I am down stacked or blinds are high and I havent made a stack that is ten times blind. My key is staying alive as long as possible.

Have won tournaments at finals from 9th almost as often as first when get to that position.

So only advice is ok to toss a hand in ring in live in online in an sng and in mtt's. is frustrating when you hit set on river or whatever but more frustrating is to lose a stack by a dumb play or a bunch of dough lol.
 
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hffjd2000

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If you always raise and doesnt hit and someone bet on you, then why do it often?

You can change your style by maybe just limp and see a cheap flop.
 
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bifelis

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It depends on your position - from Button you can raise, from UTG you can call and hope for set on flop.
 
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With low pocket pair, I will limp or call a 2 or 3BB bet. Then on the flop, if I don't hit my set I will usually fold. With higher pocket pair, I will usually call if I'm second pair, and will raise when I am above the top card on the flop.
 
Syltan

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Much depends on the position at the table, but used in service are in most cases go on set , in the absence of just give up, in some cases, heroic call on the river by cheap Board for this you need to have information on opponent. Very good poker tracker 4 and XM2.
 
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CrushTheBookie

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Yeah low pocket pairs are more about stack size where you at in position of the table if there is a raise in front of me i will flat call and see what happens i do like bet something lead out just to get a feel i don't like to check there and espicially if it is checked to me i always say chk chk chk bet if they are checking im gonna make a play on it.
 
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i think in tournaments small poketpairs is good only with big stacks ofc and position
in cash like zoom all pp are good to check or raise pre i think not allIN OFC :)
 
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Swickster007

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Small pocket pairs should be played when you are able to at a low cost...but position has a lot to do with it. They are quick folds if you do not hit your set tho. Try and find a chart online that explains the different positions with low pocket pairs.
 
adamchikas

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NEVER go ALL IN with down pairs (33-44-55-66-77)... You have to race a little and try to see flop, if you have lucky you will touch three of a kind maybe, and that's cool, other players never think that you have a big hand. If not... don't worry best hands will comme, so fold it...

Seriously bro? Never go all in with a pocket of sevens?? Somebody please tell me this guy is wrong.
 
TeUnit

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in a mtt, with low blinds you can limp small pocket pairs in early position and raise them in late position.

but i am not a big fan of the 5bb raise, think under most circumstances you can go with 1-3bb raise(without limpers)

if there are limpers you can get could great value by overlimping in late position
 
pcgnome

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The good news about low pocket pairs is that they're easier to go of post flop than the monsters like KK & AA. Here is a short video from PokerVT with Daniel Negraneu that is a bit dated, but still useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWaF3KQSh58&index=7&list=PLB6073EF33C1EBEE9
I haven't seen this video in about 5 years, and I'm wondering if there's anything else that can be added to all this information.
 
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A

AbsoluteEric

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i limp or check / call small raises

gotta see the flop with any pair as long as its not expensive.
 
A

alexis8888

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Good piece.

As each combination, and in the drawing of low pocket pairs, has its own special strategy. At the table, the most frequent situations such as: your word - the first in front of you a few players went into the game without increasing and there are opponents who raised it.
Consider a situation where you say the first word. If your game is at a long table cache, low pocket pairs, it is desirable to reset. It makes sense to play low pocket pair only if you are on the button or in the small blind. Play a pair of 33 -66 only need to raise. When playing at a table with the maximum number of players - six people, you can play the classic style of tight, but in this case it makes sense to throw the low pair, the exception would be two sixes. If the game goes one-on-one, regardless of the height of the pair, it is best to bet. In Hold'em, sometimes even pocket deuces can stand above the unpaired hands AK. A good all-in can drastically change the game at the table, so couples need to play very carefully.
If more than one player in front of you thrown off the card or logged in without raising, you might want to consider a raise. In this case, you need to pay attention to the nature and behavior of your opponents may find among them "fish." In position can allow enough big raise, but do not forget to leave yourself an out. At the same time you should try to close the output enemies. If you are not so sure, do donk bet and see a flop. At low vapor is highly likely that one of your opponents top card may be higher than yours, even if your opponent has no flush or straight, your chances of winning are vague enough.
The most difficult situation is drawing low pocket pairs a raise at the opponent. At a tournament game, you need to consider the size of your own stack. Depending on the size of the stack with respect to the bank, you have to choose the style of the game - the smaller the ratio, the more aggressive or loose should be your style. All your actions are inextricably linked to the size of the raise of the enemy. If your opponent is hoping to go to the end, his bid will be more than a third of his stack. If you raise less than a third, it is possible that he did not sufficiently strong hands and he is ready to leave the game. To play it safe, it is best to respond to low raise and you will be able to see the flop.
For your situation will be the most optimal for broke, this can confuse the opponent and he will throw cards. However, if your opponent is going to play again, make an impressive raise, but to answer the all-in with low vapor is highly undesirable.

Good piece. It would be a good thing to know the author. But I mostly limp.
 
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