When is it a good to play small pairs. (8's and lower) Early , middle or late in a tournament. Early, middle, or late position.
I would say it depends. You can limp in with them anytime if u feel that, make around 2/2.5BB mini-raise if you are mid or late position. But if u fold them its still okay, these hand requires some BB to be honest to play out wisely.
The most imortant thing that I can advice you to be able to let them go. F.e. if you have a 77 and flop is J,10,4 its no brainer that you're in a bad shape with them. (mini raise here is OK btw, if villain fold its perfect). If you have 77 and flop is A,6,2 it can be some kind of
bluff there. If villain call, and turn is something like 10,J,Q,K,A you are not a favourite anymore. If you hit a set with them f.e. 77 and K,7,5 you can push here like you would push a king, or checking to risk it for the turn.
So you can play with them, but slow-play what I can prefer in certain situations, or a fold.