Pairs, how to play them?

macthemax

macthemax

Visionary
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 30, 2017
Total posts
718
Awards
2
BE
Chips
5
Pairs like 77 and smaller I mostly just call them, if it's not to much, in the hope I hit a set to increase the chance to win the pot.
But the higher pairs like 88 to 10 10 I find hard to play preflop even in a late position. I seem to lose them to often. I can't seem to find a good strategy, even with the higher pairs like JJ and QQ. Sometimes they are more a pain in the ass then a blessing.
So I like to know and learn how to play them.
I'm sure you can give me some good advice here folks.
 
Edvardas

Edvardas

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 2, 2017
Total posts
137
Chips
0
The worst mistake made by most holdem players is to over value pocket pairs....remember that making a set comes only 2 of 15 times....Pocket pairs like Aces and best kept well hidden as you play the hand.....I think you will find that some of your largest scores will come when you have "slow played a set"...lol

P.S.
Flopping a set......................................11.8% (7.5-1)
Flopping a full house...........................0.73% (136-1)
Flopping quads....................................0.25% (407-1)
Making a set or better by the river.......19.2% (4.2-1)
 
cheapseats76

cheapseats76

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Dec 5, 2012
Total posts
133
Chips
0
Is this for cash or for tourney play? You play pairs differently in each case. As I am writing this I got JJ in the BB. It folded to the button and they raised .15 (I am playing a .02/.05 cash table and stacks are 5.00 to start) I 3 bet to .55 cause in this particular situation the button could be just playing position so I want to try to win the hand right here as any Q K or A will almost always get me to fold the flop bet by the aggressor. BB calls and flop is 4s 8s 3d I bet .70 about 3/4 the pot he raises me all in I call he shows A 3 of spades and doesn't hit I win pot 9 and change. Playing pockets can be difficult but IMO position can be the deciding factor on whether to call or not. In your particular case I think more info is needed to give a correct or informative response. Good luck on the felts!
 
M

Mauno

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 15, 2016
Total posts
322
Chips
0
Depends but usually I wont play small pairs. If You can aford to see flop or if You can bluff then pocket pair can help you.
 
J

John Bor

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 6, 2017
Total posts
383
Chips
0
Depends but usually I wont play small pairs. If You can aford to see flop or if You can bluff then pocket pair can help you.

not always, but yes I agree with you
 
A

atila1

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
May 23, 2013
Total posts
151
Awards
4
Chips
0
with small pockets pair i like to see flop if its cheep, otherwise fold
 
cranberry

cranberry

Legend
Silver Level
Joined
Nov 16, 2016
Total posts
1,588
Awards
4
Chips
0
With a middle pocket pair - try to enter the game a limp. Middle pocket pairs need to be played passively, and try as cheap as possible to see the flop. You can call a standard raise, if you are playing in a position. If you come to the right flop, you will have a pretty good disguised hand and you will be able to take a fairly large pot.
 
Last edited:
M

Marmot66

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 28, 2017
Total posts
89
Chips
0
Small pairs like 88 and lower just limp in to the Pot.

Even fold them if your Stack is to short.
 
6

619Leafs

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jan 30, 2017
Total posts
1,790
Awards
1
Chips
4
Pairs like 77 and smaller I mostly just call them, if it's not to much, in the hope I hit a set to increase the chance to win the pot.
But the higher pairs like 88 to 10 10 I find hard to play preflop even in a late position. I seem to lose them to often. I can't seem to find a good strategy, even with the higher pairs like JJ and QQ. Sometimes they are more a pain in the ass then a blessing.
So I like to know and learn how to play them.
I'm sure you can give me some good advice here folks.

My advice to playing pairs from 88 to JJ would be a raise between 3 to 5 times the blinds. The reason for that is because you want some pot equity when you do hit a set but if you don't and you see an Ace or King or Queen on the board you have a chance to fold and not get caught. As well always look out for suit and connector draws, a ton of players now will call anything for a draw so be careful and watch the board.
 
F

forneyj

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 19, 2017
Total posts
44
Chips
0
99 to JJ, raise pre flop, but do not reraise. Q's or higher raise if you have a buffer to spare. 8's and lower, just call.
 
1k95

1k95

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Total posts
443
Awards
1
Chips
0
Small pocket pairs (22-66) is quite difficult to play after the flop as almost always on the board going to be one, or even two overcards .
 
V

veruska A1

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Total posts
72
Chips
0
Playing with low pairs like 22 or 44 or even 66 is a very bad move to bet everything because obviously they are very low pairs with which you can win anything, but it is less true that sometimes you win with those pairs, I prefer not to risk, And better save my chips for better or better poker cards.
 
antonis32123

antonis32123

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Total posts
6,362
Awards
20
GR
Chips
249
I always take into consideration the position I have , my stack size and the stack sizes of the others in the hand . The more in the hand , the better for the set , if I catch it I think , sb will pay me .

I raise big pairs or and small ones in position , dependingly on my stack size . If I have the right odds , not that I know many things about that :D , 2 or more all in , my stack larger than them (2x or more ) I might call to see a pair , in the sats I have won some pots that way . 10 BB or less it's all in , especially the closer you are in position .

Of course I try to learn more about how to play pocket pairs everyday .
 
Top