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 check 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 because of their implied value instead of their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first who are holding cards, a raise of 2.half a dozen times the large blind.

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

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs 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 from your button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a tight player who raises under the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too frequently and also the only reason I can think someone does the reason being they are not focusing.

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

The tight player checks. What when you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it will define your assailant's hand 2) If you check, dewapoker your assailant could have an opportunity to hit his probably hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw exists and you'll 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 produce a play in this case.

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 contact the little blind.

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

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

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you can fold. If he calls, look into 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: Kc. The small blind check calls your $600 bet.

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

Don't check even though the board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 to the $2700 pot. It looks just like a legitimate value bet. If you are wrong, that small a bet is not going to hurt your stack if you're beat.