How do you play middle pairs? |
|
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:02 pm GMT by ComedyBee
I'm considering middle pairs to be 8s through to Js.
I:
- Like to be in late position, middle on a tight table, before i call the BB.
- Won't call a raise unless i am in late position and very sure that everyone will call. In this case the odds stay the same.
- Never too sure how many people i want in the hand with me, typically the more the better.
- I know i have to hit to win unless im in with 2 others, usually the big blind or very late position.
Do you agree with these points, what else do you consider, have to say?
CB
Did you know that participating in a poker forum can help you improve your own game? Be it by sharing experiences or simply asking for help, participation in a forum helps you focus and keep 'on topic' which will help you improve your game. You can learn from other players feedback and from their experiences. Why the THP poker forums? We offer one of the best managed texas holdem poker forums available, and the community within is far more friendly than those typicaly found on other sites. We've made a 'lurkers edition' of the poker forum available here on Holdem Poker Online, but we encourage all visitors to register and join in on the conversations on TexasHoldem-Poker.com
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:42 pm GMT by supafrey
NL or FL? Stakes?
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:43 pm GMT by BeerWench13
Firstly, are you referring to NL or FL?
Personally, I will usually limp/call with 8's or 9's. I want to see a flop, but I probably won't call a massive raise or any reraise unless I have a good read on my opponent(s) or get great odds.
With T's and J's, I'll usually raise 3-4xBB unless it has already been raised, then I'll make my decision depending on the raise amount in front of me and my read on my opponent(s).
As far as how many people you want in the hand, that depends on how you plan on playing the hand. If you're playing it aggressively, you want fewer players in the hand as you're more likely to take down the pot without having to hit your set. If you're playing them passively, you want more players in the pot so you get more equity if you do hit your set.
You don't always have to hit your set to win. Sometimes you just have to make your opponent think you hit your set. It's all in how you bet these. Other times the board will hit all undercards in which case your overpair may be good.
These are the toughest hands to play, IMO. There is no good way to play pocket J's, that's for sure.
So, as with everything else poker-related, it depends.
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 1:55 pm GMT by ComedyBee
NL. I largely agree with what you are saying, ofcourse this also depends on what stakes you are playing, you ge talot of callers in low NL.
Dave
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 3:24 pm GMT by UrAteUp
I think this is a situational question Dave. Case and point. I was playing a micro-ring table with only 3 other players($0.02/$0.04) during lunch and picked up 99 on the BB. I pushed all-in pre-flop with it. 2 people called me. My 9's held up and won me a nice $5.00 pot.
Had these players given me a read of tight players then I might have limped in and if the flop didn't give me any scare cards then I would bet decently big (1/2-3/4 pot). If I caught my set and there were no flush or straight draws then I slow down and slow play it for chips.
Posted Fri Mar 31, 2006 4:12 pm GMT by xDiamond_CutteRx
In NL, I frequently prefer to reraise with JJ and TT (I know people don't like these hands, but they're better than you think). A lot of times with middle pairs, I like to play carefully, and hope to hit a set that I can play well. In late position, if everyone checks a flop and I have a middle PP, I often like to make a probe bet and see who wants to call... if I don't win, I often get two more cheap chances to hit my set and make a big pot. I really prefer to be aggressive with pairs, because even if overcards come, your opponent won't always hit them--against one opponent, almost 2/3 of the time you will still have the best hand after the flop!
With a lot of callers, I might like just calling with mid pairs to add deception to my play, but again with JJ and TT I will sometimes throw in a big raise; your pot equity certainly warrants one (note that this play is a MUST in FL).
|
|
