Pocket Pairs-When to raise

[gord962]

Low pocket pairs are very situational for me. In the early position if the blinds are large, I will fold 5s or 6s and lower. If I'm in the middle or late position and a raise of 3X BB has been made ahead of me, I will fold anything under pocket 8s. If I'm in the late position and everyone has folded in front of me, I will raise 3 X BB to get hopefully scare off the rest of the table and just steal blinds. Anything else I will simply try to limp in and hope to hit the set. If I don't hit on the flop and there is a bet of 3X BB or more, I will fold. If a small bet or check comes to me, I will check/call and hope to catch something on the turn. I don't play these anywhere nearly as aggressive as my set starting hands because the chance of wining with a low pair is not very high.

 

[sotheysay]

I love raising with low pocket pairs, then betting strong on the flop and the rest of the way, but with bigger stakes I'll only raise with higher pocket pairs (10 or over).