Never limp with pocket tens. That's criminal. Limping lets people with junk see a cheap flop and that's when people come on here whining that there 10's were cracked by someone with a random 6 4 off suit or whatever.
10's are a very strong hand and should be played as such. Raise. The key is how you play post flop. If over cards fall and someone is going crazy you are probably way behind. If you get the pot heads up on the flop and the board is something like 7 2 A rainbow, fire a continuation bet. You'll take it down most of the time.
Remember even when you are a favorite it isn't a gauranteed win. If you are an 80/20 favorite, well, that still means that 20% of the time you will lose but that doesn't mean that you don't push your edge. In the long run you are going to win most of your money with big cards. Pocket 10's aren't aces but they are a big pair and should be played as such.
Someone with more experience and more writing skill can probably explain this better than me but please for the love of God don't limp pocket tens and don't play scared with them.
Good luck.
Could someone tell me how t o play pockettens in any position. Seems I get beat whether I check call or raise. Leading out with them is always not to my advantage it seems thanks
I appreciate the detailed reply. I have to disagree with you though. Your assumption is that I am going to spew post flop. This is not the case. In my original reply I emphasized that you have to play the hand well post flop (as is true of any hand.) Obviously if the flop comes out dangerous adjust accordingly. The key points are that there are only 4 sets of overcards (and even then you could flop a draw to a straight) and by raising instead of limping you should be able to knock out a most other players and play the pot HU.
Run it on poker stove. With pocket tens you are going to be way ahead of most of the micro fishes ranges. Also, in general you should never open limp. 10's are way too good to fold obviously and limping is just inviting a bad beat from some fish that you let see a cheap flop with some random cards that hit.
For what its worth even the most nit worthy starting hand guide will recommend opening pocket pairs down to 7's UTG. You've got to raise 10's just use common sense on the flop.
Your concern about multiway pots is noted but 1. raise and they won't be multiway as often. 2. if it is multiway and I am out of position and the flop comes wet there is certainly no law that says I have to c-bet mindlessly. Most of the time though I wil be ahead of the fish.
Just as i said. raise 2.5BB from early position at low stackes and i am sure you will have lots of callers.From early mid position I usually min raise or sometimes 2.5 x raise with pocket 10's. The intent being to get rid of the limpers and hope that you either get 1 caller or else steal the blinds. From late position I will usually increase the rasie to 3 or 3.5 BB's. As with any hand it is what happens after the flop that really matters and every hand is different.