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Note:
For the purpose of this article, small pocket pairs are
classified as 22s up to 99s.
There
are two main schools of thought concerning playing small
pocket pairs, and they are both perfectly valid.
Option
1 – Always limp with small pocket pairs. This
method views small pocket pairs as strictly limping
hands that derive value only from their potential to hit
a set. In other words, the implied odds of hitting a set
make it worth the price of limping from any position,
especially in the context of NLH where all of the chips
can get in at any time.
Playing
small pocket pairs in this manner is inexpensive, with
an excellent risk-to-reward ratio. Say you limp with a
pair of 4s in early position, only to be raised by a
player in a later position. It is now time to assess the
situation. 9.9 times out of 10, the other player will
have either 2 overcards or a bigger pair, which puts you
in a tough spot. At best, you are a slight favourite (44
is only a 52% favourite against a hand like KQ), and at
worst you are in terrible shape (44 is a 4.5 to 1
underdog against any bigger pair). These are not the
kinds of situations you want to be in.
The
moral of the story? Limp away with small pocket pairs,
in any position. A good percentage of the time you will
see a cheap flop, and approximately 1 out of every 8
times you will hit a set (a very well disguised set, I
might add). If you get raised, throw your hand away and
move on. It hasn’t cost you much, and you have given
yourself an opportunity to make a very big hand.
Option
2 – Play small pocket pairs aggressively
(especially at tables with 8 or fewer players). This
method recognizes the value of putting in raises before
the flop, as there are great benefits to being the
player that takes the lead.
When
you raise before the flop, there is always the chance
you will pick up the blinds and antes without a fight.
In fact, picking up blinds and antes is one of the most
important elements of successful NLH tournament play,
especially as the final table approaches. You have
to put chips in the middle to build your stack.
Furthermore, when you raise with a small pair you
don’t really want to see a flop, as invariably there
will be at least 2 overcards.
But
even if you do get called when you raise with a small
pocket pair, don’t panic. There is still an excellent
chance to take down the pot. Consider these 2 scenarios
when you raise with 66.
In
the first scenario, a player holding AK calls you.
Sounds scary, right? Not necessarily. Pre-flop, 66 is a
solid 55% favourite against AK. AK will only make a pair
30% of the time, which means in the majority of cases AK
will check and fold to a bet on the flop from you, the
original raiser. On the flip side, if an A or a K does
come out and your opponent shows strength, you can throw
your 66 away fairly easily.
In
the second scenario, you throw out a raise with your 66
and get called by a player holding 10 10. You’re now a
4.5 to 1 underdog and dead in the water, right? Wrong!
Once again, this hand is far from over. In this
instance, you want to see some paint cards come out on
the flop. Any A, K, Q or J that flops will be a scare
card to your opponent, as you raised pre-flop and are
very likely (in his mind) to be holding a hand that
contains a big card. Just like in scenario 1, a
continuation bet from you, the original raiser, will
take the pot down most of the time.
Smart,
aggressive poker is winning poker. A lot of the time,
the chips are out on the table just waiting to be taken.
It’s usually a question of who wants them the most.
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