Party Poker 1/2 Hold'em (9 max, 9 handed) converter

Preflop: econ_tim is CO with [3d], [3c].
UTG calls, 4 folds, BB checks.

Flop: (3.50 SB) [Ts], [Jc], [Js] (3 players)
BB checks, UTG checks, econ_tim bets, BB folds, UTG calls.

Turn: (2.75 BB) [2h] (2 players)
UTG checks, econ_tim bets, UTG calls.

River: (4.75 BB) [6c] (2 players)
UTG checks, econ_tim checks.

Final Pot: 4.75 BB

I should learn how to play small pairs when I miss my set.

UTG just sat down last hand. He posted in UTG+1, so I guess he likes to gamble, but he folded to my preflop raise from the Button, so he doesn't seem to be a calling station.

Looks like he caught a ten to me...

Why no raise pre-flop? Put pressure on the blinds...you will most likely have position... :?

My basic line for playing small pocket pairs on the flop, when you don't hit your set, against more than one villain, a spade draw you have no part of, and a paired board of connected overcards:

CHECK....... FOLD

That's funny. That used to be my basic line for small pocket pairs that didn't make a set.

Now I'm trying to find extra value in them.

Maybe this flop is the wrong place to look.

[quote=econ_tim]Party Poker 1/2 Hold'em (9 max, 9 handed) converter

Preflop: econ_tim is CO with [3d], [3c].
UTG calls, 4 folds

I'd fold this PF. One limper before you, you won't get paid even if you hit a set. Second best option is probably raising to get the button, BB to fold, and maybe build some fold equity.

Jeff

The reasons you play small pairs:

To hit a set against many opponents to win a big pot

To play heads up against one opponent (ideally) and take down a small pot.

Your call preflop set you up to be playing this hand against 3 players (UTG, BB, SB), which is the worst amount of people you can be up against. Even if you do hit your set, which you rarely will, you aren't going to get the kind of multi-way betting that you would expect from a large pot with lots of callers.

So either raise or fold. I think calling here is a big error.

If you raise, and everyone but UTG folds, definitely fire a bullet when he checks. if BB and UTG call your raise preflop, and you get a flop like that, fold to any aggression, and strongly consider checking through the flop even when no one bets.

I don't see a problem with looking for extra value with small pocket pairs. I do it quite often... but only when it's heads-up with a raggedy 2-7-9 rainbow type of board.

I've never been sure how to play a med/small pocket pair when a pair flops. I usually tell myself, 'no set no bet', but then flopping two pair is a decent hand too.

PF is a little loose, but like others have said, maybe raise on a steal. Turn bet is okay as a semi-bluff.

I don't like isolating with 3-3. I guess if I had a read on UTG as weak player I wouldn't mind so much. But he is new to the table, so who knows how he plays postflop?

On the flop I figure I'm ahead as long as I don't get check/raised.

The deuce is as good a turn card as I can hope for (except for a 3) so I continue to bet because 1) I'm probably ahead and 2) Villain could fold.

The river isn't a scary card, but I can't really value bet my hand against an unknown. I say the average player folds nearly everything that I beat and calls with anything that beats me.

I'm folding this PF unless the SB is very loose and both blinds rarely raise PF, in which case I call.

I don't think I try to isolate w/o a read that UTG is predictable postflop.

I just played a hand (6-handed 0.50/1.00 on Absolute) from CO with pocket 4's. I raised, only the SB called. Flop came K 6 2. SB bet (this guy has been betting throughout since I say down, saw every flop), I called. Turn came 6. SB bet, I raised, SB called. River was a 10. SB checked. I checked. Sb turned over Queen Jack and berated me for not folding on the flop. I may have played this hand completely wrong (this guy was on tilt BIG TIME, I figured I would call it down UI or make a play to get a free card on the river to a good turn card), but my point is that I got the hand heads-up. If it wasn't heads-up, my chances of winning would have gone down drastically with the small pocket pairs. 8)

Don't hijack my thread with your FPS.

that is not my intention, but rather to hilight that by raising with the small pocket pairs you (in theory) increase your chances of winning, as opposed to just limping and hoping to catch a set... 8)

I do believe he's giving a related example.
And yes, you should have check-folded on the flop.

ummmm, those that are advocating him check/fold the flop, please look at his poosition on this hand before you open your mouths and look like idiots.



okay, I have no problem with the bet on the flop, but barring a read that tells me that this guy is a peeler with almost anything, I give up after being called on the flop

Fair point. My mistake. Betting out on the flop since it's checked to you is OK, but I'm with KDawg on the turn play.