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 extracted 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 as opposed to their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first who are holding cards, a raise of 2.five times the important 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 much like the middle pairs.

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

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

A tight player beneath the gun raises before the flop. You call from your button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a decent player who raises within the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen many times as well as the only reason I can think someone does the reason being they are not paying attention.

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

The tight player checks. What should you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it'll define your attacker's hand 2) If you check, the opponent could have the opportunity to hit his probably hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is found and you may 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 produce 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 plus a player raises to $150 from middle position. You contact small blind.

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

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

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, it is possible to fold. If he calls, look into the river. If he bets the river, you are 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 when you do?

Don't check although board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 in to the $2700 pot. It looks like a legitimate value bet. If you are wrong, that small a bet won't hurt your stack if you are beat.