Tactics: How to play small pairs

Eurosport - Tue, 04 Mar 22:59:00 2008

Playing a small pocket pair (2s to 6s) is often tricky - not always easy to fold but not very likely to win after the flop.

POKER - 0

When there are more than 5 people to act after you (including the blinds) the prudent play would be to fold them pre-flop.

When you have less than 30 BB in your stack you should definitely not play them.

When you have less than 10 BB in your stack you should go all-in. But only in an unraised pot and if you're sat in the last 3 positions.

If you have more than 30 BB in your stack you shouldn't raise with them but try to create a pot with several players. If you don't hit a set on the flop then throw your cards in.

If you make your set, don't slow-play it! Bet a little less than the pot all the way through. Slow playing could give you a smaller pot or, even worse, you could give someone the opportunity to better your set.

Eurosport