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 removed 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 due to their implied value instead of 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 a great deal of strength.

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs just like the middle pairs.

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

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

A tight player beneath the gun raises ahead of the flop. You call in the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a decent player who raises underneath the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen too frequently and the only reason I can think someone does it is because they aren't focusing.

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

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

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it'll define the opponent's hand poker qq 2) If you check, your attacker can have an opportunity to hit his almost certainly hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw is found and you'll lose if he hits his hand and/or picks up a flush draw on the turn.

If he check raises you here, just fold. Tight players won't produce a play in this situation.

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 as well as a player raises to $150 from middle position. You ask the small blind.

Flop: Qh-7d-2s. You check and your opponent bets $300. This opponent is aggressive and has a tendency to c-bet, so you call.

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

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you are able to fold. If he calls, look at the river. If he bets the river, you are beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You improve 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 in the event you do?

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