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 analyze how Negreanu would play these hands using his small ball tournament strategy. This information is extracted 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 for their implied value in lieu of their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first in the pot, a raise of 2.five times the big blind.

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

Small Pairs: Pocket 2's to 6's

Play these pairs such as the middle pairs.

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

Example #1:

You have 10s-10d.

A tight player within the gun raises before the flop. You call in the button.

Important note: Please don't re-raise a good player who raises within the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen all too often and the only reason I can think someone does it is because they may not be focus.

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

The tight player checks. What in case you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and will also define your attacker's hand 2) If you check, your assailant will have the opportunity to hit his probably hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw exists and you can lose if he hits his hand and/or accumulates a flush draw on the turn.

If he check raises you here, daftar poker online just fold. Tight players won't create 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 along with a player raises to $150 from middle position. You call on the little blind.

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

Turn: 7c. You check and the opponent bets $600. What when you do?

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, you'll be able to fold. If he calls, check the river. If he bets the river, you might be beat.

Example #3:

You have 4d-4s.

You enhance 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 into the $2700 pot. It looks as being a legitimate value bet. If you happen to be wrong, that small a bet will not hurt your stack if you happen to be beat.