Medium to Big Pairs

88,99, TT- how do you guys play these? Small for set or much preflop raising? Also, I play microstakes- how would you guys play them here? thanks

Depends.

Soft game with loose players and crazy shortstacks: usually limp, flop set and jam the pot. Getting re-raised by some crazy shortie really sucks, and they will pay off anyway be it unraised or raised pot.

TAG/TP game with bunch of fullstacked nits: usually openraise any position 22+ because I can represent other hands in my range more sucessfully and win someone's stack easier in set vs TP confrontation. Nits won't go broke in unraised pot with lukewarm hands but in raised pots they may make a stand. Also getting re-raised won't hurt so much because stack sizes increase implied odds and nits are relatively easy to read (QQ+).

On microstakes it's best to just limp/call small raise and play for set value. Raising (small raise) preflop may be beneficial but only in position to build the pot and maybe see free turn card - not to knock out players.

Wow great post. And I don't see those often. You're information seems dead on.

Originally Posted by Vrax

Depends.

Soft game with loose players and crazy shortstacks: usually limp, flop set and jam the pot. Getting re-raised by some crazy shortie really sucks, and they will pay off anyway be it unraised or raised pot.

TAG/TP game with bunch of fullstacked nits: usually openraise any position 22+ because I can represent other hands in my range more sucessfully and win someone's stack easier in set vs TP confrontation. Nits won't go broke in unraised pot with lukewarm hands but in raised pots they may make a stand. Also getting re-raised won't hurt so much because stack sizes increase implied odds and nits are relatively easy to read (QQ+).

On microstakes it's best to just limp/call small raise and play for set value. Raising (small raise) preflop may be beneficial but only in position to build the pot and maybe see free turn card - not to knock out players.

+1

I think for me it really depends on position (and of course the type of game as stated above). If I'm in an early position I would probably just post the BB and see what others are doing. If 5 people are in the hand chances are someone might have a J,Q,K, or A and pair it. If I'm in late position and nobody seems to be playing the hand I'd put more into the pot. I don't know if this is the way most people would play that hand but that's my general strategy with PP's that aren't face cards...although I am a sucker for pocket 10's

this also depends on whether your playing FR or 6max. I raise all PP's in all positions on both, but i think it plays much better in 6max.

Originally Posted by Bode-ist

this also depends on whether your playing FR or 6max. I raise all PP's in all positions on both, but i think it plays much better in 6max.

I limp the terrible ones (22-55) in EP in full ring on a weak/tight/passive table about 1/2 the time. You get much value from these when you flop a set vs. overpair, but you want a LP re-raise to be small enough to call profitably. I also tend to limp more when the BU/SB/BB (most likley callers) is a short stack. Compare 40 BB stack vs. 100BB. If I raise 3-4x vs SS and he re-raises, I have to fold.

Medium pairs I almost always open raise (Ring) but almost never re-raise 88 or 99. Might also limp after limpers, depends on how many.

Against looser opponents, limping is probably better (because they will call your c-bets with mid-pair).

Microstakes... if they are l/p just limp. If they are weak/tight raise+c-bet.

I'm open-raising all pp if folded to me in MP or late. If 1-2 limpers, i raise there.

EP I'm raising anything>7

I want there to be some money in the pot when I hit a set, and I want everyone to think i'm just c-betting when I pot it. When I miss I don't put it another penny without good reason.

This is FR, 25NL -- my current purgatory.

Originally Posted by zenbitz

I also tend to limp more when the BU/SB/BB (most likley callers) is a short stack. Compare 40 BB stack vs. 100BB. If I raise 3-4x vs SS and he re-raises, I have to fold.

I agree with this but have a question: BU/SB/BB is three different people. Suppose one of them is a short stack? Two of them? You have a rule of thumb ?