How to play a small pocket pair
Another article for Cowboys website.
One of the most difficult decisions in the game of poker is what to do with small pocket pairs. While they are a pocket pair – and in this case we are considering pocket deuces through pocket sixes – and are ahead of every hand but a higher pair, at the end of the five card board they can be easily run down. Thus, the decision to play and how to play these hands can be problematic.
In a Limit game, the baby pair can be played in pretty much any position unless there’s capped betting by more than two players. About one time out of eight you can catch that set and make a sizeable profit. Additionally, if you miss on the flop or turn, the hand can be released with a marginal loss. In No Limit games or tournaments, however, the cost can be significant.
In the No Limit game you have to consider several factors before thinking of playing a small pair: aggressiveness of the table, your image, your position and your stack size. If you can implement these guidelines, you should see improvement at the tables.
Early Position (UTG to Third To Act)
This is the most difficult place to meet up with those baby pairs. Besides the factor that you still have most of or the entire table to act behind you, in early position you must take full account of all that surrounds you. If you limp, you must be prepared to be either called in several seats or face a reraise against normally a late position player. If you raise, you also must be prepared to see another raise behind you and potentially an all in. These cases make the small pair extremely difficult to play and/or defend.
Your chip stack has to be a major part of your decision making process. If you have been running the table and have a healthy stack, you can make the call and try to catch your set. If your chips are close to the felt, however, you have to decide whether this is the time to make a stand.
Early in a tournament, I have even thrown away some of these baby pairs! Why? Because of the details of the first paragraph here. My deuces or treys are not going to stand well against multi-handed action or a large raise. Even if I catch my set on the flop, I could still be at a significant disadvantage depending on board texture. Thus, if I am UTG or close, those baby pairs will sometimes find the muck.
As a tournament goes on, however, you cannot miss your opportunities and have to play the baby pair. Varying the play – from raising the standard raise to limping in – is the best course of action. Have you been aggressive? Then continue the attack. Have you been showing big hands? Perhaps the call may be in order.
Of course, at the final table, unless you can see into the soul of your opponent, you’re playing that baby pair. At that point, it’s up to the fortunes to determine the winner.
Middle Position (Fourth & Fifth Positions)
In middle position, your options are a little bit clearer. You have either seen everyone in front of you get out of the way or there’s a call of the big blind or raise. You have more information in this position to be able to make the decision of call or reraise and, with this information, can normally get the hand down to a heads up situation. The object should be to get into this type of battle, where the small pair has better odds of holding up.
A call isn’t out of the question, either. If you have chips and have been aggressive, you can make the call and trap if your set comes home, or bluff at the pot if you miss. This is also a good location for the ‘stop and go’ play if you have position on an early bettor.
At a nine handed table, the fifth position will also be in what has come to be called the “hijack” position. Raises from here have become quite common in today’s poker and, with the baby pair, you could make a play here. Because this play has become so common, however, you should be prepared to face a reraise and, if you feel the situation isn’t right for you, release the hand.
Late Position (Cutoff & Button)
In late position is where the full arsenal of your skills can be used. Even with the baby pair, because of your position, you can choose to flat call or go for the raise. If there is a raise from ONE of the players in front of you, you can even go for the reraise option and either win the hand right there or get into a heads up situation.
The reason I emphasize the ONE above is that, if there is a raise and a three bet before action gets to you, you have to release the small pair. These actions indicate either a big Ace – such as A-K or A-Q – or a larger pair in front of you. In this situation, your babies aren’t in such good shape and you are dependent on hitting your set to win the hand.
The Blinds
The blinds can be a spot where many of the options of the late position can be utilized. You can limp in or check when the action comes around or call a standard raise and see what comes on the flop. If you miss the flop, however, you have to be prepared to let the hand go; after all, you are coming into the late positions, where your chances might be better.
By being a staunch observer of the table and using discretion when the time is right, playing the small pairs can be a profitable stance. But you also have to have the discipline to let these baby pairs go in the event your set fails to come home. There are no definites in the game of poker but, in this case, you should always be conscious that the small pair is always a problematic play.
Thanks for listening guys, comments, criticisms are accepted.
Ty Jordan
