how to play mid pocket pairs (88 99 TT)

The starting hands chart here gives those cards a fair bit of credit but i dont know why. Ive played them a bit harder preflop (probably stupidly postflop) than i usually do to to see how it gos and i get killed every time. What makes them so good?

Seems to me like you need to hit a really low board or trip up for them to be any good

edit: formatting

It depends way to too much on numerous factors that you are in no way going to go any meaningful answers given your broad question. You must consider position, villains, action, board texture, villain tendencies, villains range, your image, your range, etc. To ask, "How do I play 99?" and not provide a specific situation is a waste of time.

I'm locking this thread mainly for the fact no meaningful discussion will come of it. Mbiz, if you wish to continue discussion on how to play these hands, I suggest you start a new thread, but be a bit more detailed asking more specific questions, and providing hand histories/situations to discuss. But even then, it will likely prove worthless until you begin to understand all of the things that must be considered to understand how to play these hands.

{locked}