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 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 plenty 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 under the gun raises prior to the flop. You call through the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a tight player who raises within the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen all too often and the only reason I can think someone is doing this is because they are not focus.

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

The tight player checks. What when you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and will also define your attacker's hand 2) If you check, permainan domino your assailant will have to be able to hit his most likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw exists and you'll 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 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 plus a player raises to $150 from middle position. You call on the tiny blind.

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

Turn: 7c. You check and your assailant bets $600. What in case you do?

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you can fold. If he calls, look at 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 however the board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 in the $2700 pot. It looks just like a legitimate value bet. If you happen to be wrong, that small a bet won't hurt your stack if you are beat.