zipper

[Unregistered]

how do you play small pairs at a full table,i consider small pairs js or less,,limping in early i always get raised, raise early and i always get 5 callers
i also always feel beat once the flop comes ,,isnt there always overcards..
the other day,100/200 blind 40 person tourny. im on the small with a/k, first position bets 500 ,every bodyfolds to me , i go all in ,,1900 , big blind calls , first position goes all in..big blind calls 2600 ,,we all flip over ,,,first position has 77
i cant believe he called,, is this right, big blind has a/j,,i had been watching 1st position and he was loose , big blind had just took a big hit so i was on gut feel ,,why would he call with 2 all ins in front of him,,,he has to know we have over cards ,,i would have folded, is this right..flop is j,7,whatever,i didnt mind the beat by the j but that 7 just hurt ,,was he just reckless or does he know the secret to small pairs ,,it just got me more confused...zip

[Unregistered]

Are you playing in a cash game? is this a tournament? Is it online or at a Brick and Mortar casino? What are the caliber of players? Are you a calling station? Do represent big hands and then not bet after the flop even when you don't hit?

Playing small pairs is one of the toughest decisions. The only way you can play small pairs is if you know the table dyanmics and have been playing that way. Have you showed down an AK after raising before the flop what about other high hands? If the table gives you respect for raising with high hands then you have a chance to make a play with small pairs. ( 22,33,44,55,66 and 77 ) Medium paris are ranked basically as 88,99,10 10 and in some cases JJ.

I have found and this is by no way the only way to play small pairs, is to open with a raise about 3x's to 4'xs the big blind. Now do you do this from upfront or middle position is again how do you see the table. If you get reraised then you will probably have to throw the hand away. If you have the respect of the table then that one raise most likely will take away some of the lose callers and hopefully get you heads up with the blinds.

If you flop a set then you are almost golden. But set over set can kill you. That is why some folks call little pairs and small cards in general poison. So you go ahead and see a flop with the big blind calling you raise. The flop comes K 9 4. Since you raised before the flop you can bet out here and most likely will win the pot uncontested. But, if he plays back at you or just calls you then you have a decision to make. i would almost most certainly fold here if the reraise was significant. If he just calls you then some bells need to go off in your head. I need to be careful. If the flop has no flush draws or st8 draws you need to be real careful. Usually means he has top pair but maybe a weak kicker, or maybe he is trapping with a big top pair. If there is a flush draw on the board then you need to make them pay to draw out on you. Bet big on the flop and if he calls you then bet big again if the flush does not appear. If by the river there is now no way he has the flush or st8, then bet again. It takes some balls, but you can't risk now that he does have a pair on the board, but you have let him know that you have the K and if he calls now on the river he is dead. Most of the time they fold because they can't afford to lose anymore chips.

So play small pairs either real aggressive or real cheap to see flop and then watch out. Positionally is a safe way to play small pairs with a raise. If no one has come into the pot before you and you are about 3 or 4 away from the button, raise. Watch out for the dude on the button though, he might try and steal with nothing. You have to have been evaluating his play throughout the session to see what he is capable of.

So that is my two cents and hope it helps. Just remember, against one opponent is best, against multiple opponents get out of the way. No worth the stress.