Daniel Negreanu On How To Play Middle And Small Pairs

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Middle and Small Pairs

Lately, I've been misplaying these middle and small pairs. So I went back to review 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 rather than 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 lots of strength.

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs such as the middle pairs.

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

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

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

Important note: Please don't re-raise a good player who raises under the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too frequently along with the only reason I can think someone has been doing it is because they may not be focusing.

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

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

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it'll define the opponent's hand 2) If you check, your opponent may have an opportunity to hit his more than likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is found and you will lose if he hits his hand and/or accumulates 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 along with a player raises to $150 from middle position. You call on small blind.

Flop: Qh-7d-2s. You check and your attacker bets $300. This opponent is aggressive and will c-bet, so you call.

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

Check raise to $1200 or judi poker online terpercaya $1500. If he re-raises you, it is possible to fold. If he calls, check the river. If he bets the river, you happen to be beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You raise 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: Kc. The small blind check calls your $600 bet.

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

Don't check even though the board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 into the $2700 pot. It looks being a legitimate value bet. If you are wrong, that small a bet won't hurt your stack if you happen to be beat.