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 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 because of the implied value in lieu of their preflop strength.

Pre-flop: If first who are holding cards, a raise of 2.half a dozen times the important 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 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 from your button.

Important note: poker qiuqiu Please don't re-raise a strong player who raises beneath the gun with pocket 10's. I see this happen all too often and also the only reason I can think someone is doing the reason being they aren't attending to.

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

The tight player checks. What when you do?

Bet because 1) Your opponent checked and it will define the opponent's hand 2) If you check, the opponent can have to be able to hit his more than likely hand, A-K and 3) A flush draw exists and you'll lose if he hits his hand and/or covers 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 plus a player raises to $150 from middle position. You contact the little blind.

Flop: Qh-7d-2s. You check and your assailant bets $300. This opponent is aggressive and will c-bet, and that means you call.

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

Check raise to $1200 or $1500. If he re-raises you, it is possible to fold. If he calls, look into 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 although board counterfeited your small pair. Bet $800 in the $2700 pot. It looks as being a legitimate value bet. If you're wrong, that small a bet is not going to hurt your stack if you're beat.