Small Pocket Pairs: Part 1
We are going to be discussing small pocket pairs over the next several posts. Why several posts? You are going to see a lot of small pairs (22-77) and you are going to see them in a number of different situations. The results of playing small pocket pairs (SPP) is usually a small loss or a big win, unless you have not considered exactly how to play these hands. Without a plan for playing SPP, you will find them frustrating and costly.
We begin with the most dangerous situation: You are dealt a SPP in early position. Some professionals would tell you that you could easily be money ahead if you simply folded all SPP in early position. But this is poker, so how do you play them. Well, if you are at a passive table that will allow you to limp for only the big blind, then by all means play. Then check or fold if you do not make a set on the flop. However, if you are playing at a fairly aggressive table, one where a limp is likely to be raised; then you must either come in for a raise or fold these hands.
In early postion, if you can get into a pot cheap with a SPP, you will either lose the pre-flop bet when you fold after the flop or you will likely take down a large pot with your flopped set. AA or KK up against 55 is going to lose a lot of chips when the flop hits Q95. With caution small pocket pairs can be a winning hand for you; without a plan of action, you might as well throw them away.
-This is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #146
