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 analyze how Negreanu would play these hands using his small ball tournament strategy. This information is removed 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 due to their implied value as opposed to their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first in the game, a raise of 2.5 times the important blind.

Flop: judi poker online terpercaya If you hit your set, play to win big. If you miss, don't auto-fold unless the action indicates plenty 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 underneath the gun raises ahead of the flop. You call in the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a decent player who raises underneath the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too often along with the only reason I can think someone does the reason being they may not be paying attention.

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

The tight player checks. What in case you do?

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

If he check raises you here, just fold. Tight players won't make a play in this situation.

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 contact the small blind.

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

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

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you'll be able to fold. If he calls, look at the river. If he bets the river, you might be 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: Kc. The small blind check calls your $600 bet.

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

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