Small Pocket Pairs: Part 2
There is a substantial difference in how you should play small pocket pairs (SPP) in a cash game versus a tournament. In a limit cash game, SPP are long-term profitable if you are getting into the pot for only one or at times, in a multi-way pot, two bets. In a tournament, particularly a no limit tournament, you can cost yourself a lot of chips with a SPP with only a limited potential for gain.
In tournament action we often see players all-in in a “race” situation. One player has two high cards, often Ace-King, and the other player has a lower pair. The pair is slightly ahead in this race but it is barely 51%-49%. The question arises: “Do you want to risk your tournament on a coin-flip?” The answer usually is no. So playing SPP in a tournament, particularly in early position, where you are likely to be raised, is a risky situation.
Being out of the tournament is the worst scenario but another big leak in your game is to bet your SPP and then fold those chips to a raise. You are vulnerable with SPP to any raise. Why put in chips if you may not even see the flop? On the other hand, small pocket pairs cannot be discarded each time they are dealt to you, they do win hands; but you must have a plan of action or inaction before you peek at your hold cards. In a tournament, especially in the early rounds, caution and survival are wiser than risking your tournament life on those pocket fives.
-this is Beginner’s Poker Blog Post #147
