Daniel Negreanu On How To Play Middle And Small Pairs

De CidesaWiki

Middle and Small Pairs

Lately, I've been misplaying these middle and small pairs. So I went back to examine how Negreanu would play these hands using his small ball tournament strategy. This information is taken from his latest book Power Hold'em Strategy.

Middle Pairs: Pocket 7's to 10's

Don't overplay these hands. They are good hands because of the implied value as opposed to their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first in the pot, a raise of 2.half a dozen times the big blind.

Flop: If you hit your set, play to win big. If you miss, don't auto-fold unless the action indicates a lot of strength.

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs just like the middle pairs.

Pre-flop: Do not re-raise your opponents.

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

A tight player within the gun raises prior to the flop. You call from your button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a tight player who raises underneath the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too often and also the only reason I can think someone does this is because they aren't paying attention.

The flop: 8h-4h-3c.

The tight player checks. What in the event you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it will define your opponent's hand 2) If you check, your attacker can have a chance to hit his more than likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is present and you'll lose if he hits his hand and/or sees a flush draw on the turn.

If he check raises you here, just fold. Tight players won't create a play in cases like this.

If he calls your bet, proceed with caution. He may be setting a trap with pocket Aces.

Example #2:

You have 9h-9c.

Blinds $25/$50 as well as a player raises to $150 from middle position. You turn to the tiny blind.

Flop: Qh-7d-2s. You check and your opponent bets $300. This opponent is aggressive and is likely to c-bet, which means you call.

Turn: 7c. You check and the opponent bets $600. What in the event you do?

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, it is possible to fold. If he calls, confirm the river. If he bets the river, you are beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You improve the $50/$100 blinds to $250 in late position. The small blind calls.

Flop: 8h-9s-9h. The small blind check calls your $400 bet.

Turn: pokerqq Kc. The small blind check calls your $600 bet.

River: 8d. Your opponent checks. What when you do?

Don't check although board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 into the $2700 pot. It looks like a legitimate value bet. If you happen to be wrong, that small a bet will not hurt your stack if you're beat.