Post by Randy C on May 3, 2006 10:58:48 GMT -4
Oh, this is one of the toughest parts to the game of poker. There's so many things to consider when playing a pocket pair, but I sum it all up like this:
1. How big is my pocket pair?
2. What is my position?
3. How many people are in the hand, and how much have they bet?
4. Are the players likely to call my bet?
5. How much should I bet?
First analysis #1: If my pocket pair is 10's or above, and I am in late position and they're are some callers, I generally put a good sized bet out there. If I am holding JJ, QQ, KK or AA, I'll bet as much as 10 times the big blind because I want to narrow the field down to 1 or 2 callers only. Slow playing these high pockets is only asking for trouble. If I am holding 10's and below, I'll generally come in at around 3 times the big blind, again trying to narrow the field, but at the same time not wasting my chips. Low pockets from early position are dangerous. If I get a significant raise from a late pole, I'll fold those low pockets most times. The general rule of thumb with low pocket pairs...If you don't catch a set on the flop, fold to a bet and/or check it down.
Second Analysis #2: Position is of the utmost importance when playing pocket pairs. Early poles are very tough. Generally, I suggest that if you are holding J's or better...then 5 to 10 times the big blind is in order to narrow that field down and limit the amount of callers in that hand. Late position is much better to play from because you have all the information already in front of you and will know how much to raise. Never...and I do mean NEVER just call a high pocket pair, because you are bound to be called by some jamoke who is holding A7os and you with your pocket K's....and he has you beat on the flop when he catches his Ace!!!
Third Analysis #3: Playing pocket pairs is best suited with only 1 or 2 callers. If you happen to have several people limping in in front of you, it is a good idea to raise enough to narrow that field...(Sound Familiar?) Try to raise enough so as not to scare everyone off, but at the same time to get rid of those laggers with Ace blank and other similar garbage! If no one calls...well you just picked up the blinds which was more than you had going into the hand.
Fourth Analysis #4: Determining who is and whoisn't likely to call your bet is of the utmost importance. If you are up against a single player, and he is a tight player...then you would only raise a moderate amount so as not to scare him out. However, if the player is loose...throw out a good sized bet and cross your fingers...Keep an eye on the style of each player so that in times like this you can use that information to benefit you.
Fifth Analysis #5: How much do you bet? Again, most of this has already been covered...Generally 3 times the BB up to and including the 10's. Five to Ten times the BB for J's and above.
Playing J's is the most dangerous of all the pocket pairs. Many people play them the same way they play Aces. That is a critical error. The texture of the flop is of the utmost importance here. If overcards come, your J's aren't looking so hot now! That is the danger of J's. I have been beat holding pocket J's than any other hand I have played. They are so incredibly dangerous...I cannot stress this enough. Play them with caution.
Pocket K's look so pretty until an Ace pops up on the turn. Here you are betting your little heart out...and FlapJack McFlopMaster is holding A3os...and he jsut took the wind out of yer sails...
Capitalizing on your investment in pocket pairs is the name of the game...Mastering how to play them will drastically improve your game...They will make you a lot of money...and will save you a lot of money, Too if played correctly.
Sometimes no matter what you do, it simply is not enough!!! You're gonna get beat no matter what happens. That's Poker! Pocket pairs are just another facet to the entire game, but disciplining yourself to play them right is going to be the key!
All In,
Randy C -
1. How big is my pocket pair?
2. What is my position?
3. How many people are in the hand, and how much have they bet?
4. Are the players likely to call my bet?
5. How much should I bet?
First analysis #1: If my pocket pair is 10's or above, and I am in late position and they're are some callers, I generally put a good sized bet out there. If I am holding JJ, QQ, KK or AA, I'll bet as much as 10 times the big blind because I want to narrow the field down to 1 or 2 callers only. Slow playing these high pockets is only asking for trouble. If I am holding 10's and below, I'll generally come in at around 3 times the big blind, again trying to narrow the field, but at the same time not wasting my chips. Low pockets from early position are dangerous. If I get a significant raise from a late pole, I'll fold those low pockets most times. The general rule of thumb with low pocket pairs...If you don't catch a set on the flop, fold to a bet and/or check it down.
Second Analysis #2: Position is of the utmost importance when playing pocket pairs. Early poles are very tough. Generally, I suggest that if you are holding J's or better...then 5 to 10 times the big blind is in order to narrow that field down and limit the amount of callers in that hand. Late position is much better to play from because you have all the information already in front of you and will know how much to raise. Never...and I do mean NEVER just call a high pocket pair, because you are bound to be called by some jamoke who is holding A7os and you with your pocket K's....and he has you beat on the flop when he catches his Ace!!!
Third Analysis #3: Playing pocket pairs is best suited with only 1 or 2 callers. If you happen to have several people limping in in front of you, it is a good idea to raise enough to narrow that field...(Sound Familiar?) Try to raise enough so as not to scare everyone off, but at the same time to get rid of those laggers with Ace blank and other similar garbage! If no one calls...well you just picked up the blinds which was more than you had going into the hand.
Fourth Analysis #4: Determining who is and whoisn't likely to call your bet is of the utmost importance. If you are up against a single player, and he is a tight player...then you would only raise a moderate amount so as not to scare him out. However, if the player is loose...throw out a good sized bet and cross your fingers...Keep an eye on the style of each player so that in times like this you can use that information to benefit you.
Fifth Analysis #5: How much do you bet? Again, most of this has already been covered...Generally 3 times the BB up to and including the 10's. Five to Ten times the BB for J's and above.
Playing J's is the most dangerous of all the pocket pairs. Many people play them the same way they play Aces. That is a critical error. The texture of the flop is of the utmost importance here. If overcards come, your J's aren't looking so hot now! That is the danger of J's. I have been beat holding pocket J's than any other hand I have played. They are so incredibly dangerous...I cannot stress this enough. Play them with caution.
Pocket K's look so pretty until an Ace pops up on the turn. Here you are betting your little heart out...and FlapJack McFlopMaster is holding A3os...and he jsut took the wind out of yer sails...
Capitalizing on your investment in pocket pairs is the name of the game...Mastering how to play them will drastically improve your game...They will make you a lot of money...and will save you a lot of money, Too if played correctly.
Sometimes no matter what you do, it simply is not enough!!! You're gonna get beat no matter what happens. That's Poker! Pocket pairs are just another facet to the entire game, but disciplining yourself to play them right is going to be the key!
All In,
Randy C -
