Low pocket pairs....
- Thread starter Cloud Nine
- Start date
Low pocket pairs are like low suited connectors: they play well with lots of players in before you, but not high betting. If you're in late position and a bunch of guys just call the BB, it's worth a shot at picking up the set, because odds are that a set will win most hands (just be careful to watch out for straight and flush possibilities).
But you also run the risk that someone was looking to check-raise from an early positon. Then you're 3-bet and it can get expensive. While it's always good to change up, I don't think I'd make that play a lot. I'm going to fold if I don't get the set anyway, so I'm less concerned if someone picks up a better pair. I'm actually hoping that they both pick up a high pair (or two) and I hit the set. That's where the real money comes in. Unless you're betting enough to steal the blinds+, you're probably not going to end up with top pair anyway. As I said, I think low pocket pairs and suited connectors actually like lots of action in case you do make your hand.
You probably won't get much. You probably won't be raising a pot on the pair and less likely to stay in if the stakes were raised. Pretty much no way you could recoup the loses you take on the other 9 hands if you hang around with a weak hand all the time.
And you people shouldn't be watching those TV poker shows with the intent on learning from pros... cause they aren't pro's or even that good. For one, real pro's don't play "hold-em". They're nothing but a bunch of fools with sunglasses, get-ups and comedy routines. They're nothing but TV personalities. If you're looking for real card sharks to learn from you won't find them on TV putting on Groucho glasses, runing around the table and rubbing lucky a lucky rabbits foot after going "all in". That's why normal people like Moneymaker can win it all.
A friend of mine rolls an 18 wheeler out of JFK cargo area once a week with a miniture casino. In a few weeks he's ripping out the craps and roulette tables and putting in poker tables instead. I'll put any of the card player in that truck against anyone on TV.
And you people shouldn't be watching those TV poker shows with the intent on learning from pros... cause they aren't pro's or even that good. For one, real pro's don't play "hold-em". They're nothing but a bunch of fools with sunglasses, get-ups and comedy routines. They're nothing but TV personalities. If you're looking for real card sharks to learn from you won't find them on TV putting on Groucho glasses, runing around the table and rubbing lucky a lucky rabbits foot after going "all in". That's why normal people like Moneymaker can win it all.
A friend of mine rolls an 18 wheeler out of JFK cargo area once a week with a miniture casino. In a few weeks he's ripping out the craps and roulette tables and putting in poker tables instead. I'll put any of the card player in that truck against anyone on TV.
With all due respect Ozzy, playing low pocket pairs in late position (and in NoLimit, pretty much from ANY position) on the cheap is a profitable play over the long run, if you have any postflop skill whatsoever... The "hidden" set you make 10.8% of the time isn't the only way you'll have best hand postflop or at showdown, and especially in no limit, good postflop play will make these hands profitable over the long term, ESPECIALLY in the loose, weak games that seem to be everywhere these days. (brought on by the t.v. poker fans you mention, no doubt)
Which is why they can be dangerous both ways. If you raise big to "scare" others out the pot you can be screwed or scared yourslef when 2 others call and when those overcards come out and you dont make the set.
Personally I'll play them if Im in a late position and not many have called. If I can play them cheap I will. If you do make the set then your opponents usually get blindsided because they usually dont figure you on having the trips.
Personally I'll play them if Im in a late position and not many have called. If I can play them cheap I will. If you do make the set then your opponents usually get blindsided because they usually dont figure you on having the trips.
As previously stated, I think that's a mistake. I think you want to play them if a lot of people have called, but not raised, so it's cheap to get into a big pot. To reiterate: drawing hands like to play with lots of people in (and a low pair is a drawing hand looking for a set the same way the as connectors or suited are drawing hands).
JackT said:
If you limp in with pocket 4s, and your two opponents have, for example, KQ offsuit and T8 suited, it's STILL almost a toss up. (just a three-way toss up). 