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 for their implied value as opposed to their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first who are holding cards, a raise of 2.5 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 a lot 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 underneath the gun raises prior to flop. You call through the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a decent player who raises under the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen all too often and also the only reason I can think someone does for the reason that they're 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 this will define your opponent's hand 2) If you check, your opponent could have to be able to hit his probably hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw exists 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 come up with 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 ask the tiny blind.

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

Turn: 7c. You check and the opponent 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 are beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You enhance 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: idn poker 8d. Your opponent checks. What in the event you do?

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