Daniel Negreanu On How To Play Middle And Small Pairs

Middle and Small Pairs

Lately, I've been misplaying these middle and small pairs. So I went back to examine how Negreanu would play these hands using his small ball tournament strategy. This information is taken 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 because of their implied value as opposed to their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first in the pot, a raise of 2.half a dozen times the large blind.

Flop: If you hit your set, play to win big. If you miss, don't auto-fold unless the action indicates lots of strength.

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs like the middle pairs.

Pre-flop: Do not re-raise your opponents.

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

A tight player under the gun raises prior game poker terbaik to the flop. You call through the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a decent player who raises beneath the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen many times as well as the only reason I can think someone is performing this is because they may not be focusing.

The flop: 8h-4h-3c.

The tight player checks. What in the event you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it will define your opponent's hand 2) If you check, the opponent may have a chance to hit his most likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is present and you will lose if he hits his hand and/or accumulates 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 and a player raises to $150 from middle position. You call on the small blind.

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

Turn: 7c. You check and your assailant bets $600. What in case you do?

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you can fold. If he calls, confirm the river. If he bets the river, you might be beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You boost 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: 8d. Your opponent checks. What when you do?

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