Daniel Negreanu On How To Play Middle And Small Pairs

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Middle and Small Pairs

Lately, domino99 I've been misplaying these middle and small pairs. So I went back to check 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 for their implied value in lieu of their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first who are holding cards, a raise of 2.five 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 plenty 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 underneath the gun raises prior to flop. You call through the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a strong player who raises under the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too frequently as well as the only reason I can think someone has been doing this is because they are not attending to.

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 the opponent's hand 2) If you check, the opponent will have a chance to hit his most likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is present and you can lose if he hits his hand and/or picks up a flush draw on the turn.

If he check raises you here, just fold. Tight players won't produce 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 and a player raises to $150 from middle position. You ask the small blind.

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

Turn: 7c. You check and your assailant bets $600. What when 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're beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You boost 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 although the board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 in the $2700 pot. It looks being a legitimate value bet. If you might be wrong, that small a bet will not hurt your stack if you might be beat.