I hate middle pocket pairs

[AtticusFinch]

JJ, TT, 99 --- I absolutely hate these hands (Except on the bubble. Then I love them.) I never seem to know how to play them properly. Honestly, I usually raise, but breathe a sigh of relief if I just collect the blinds.

Example: 50 blinds, TsTc in MP with 800 chips, I make it 200 to go. Button calls, everyone else folds.

Flop is Js 4s 2c. Hero????

I checked and folded to his pot-sized bet. He showed me his A-4 of hearts.

I'm honestly considering just pushing PF whenever I get one of these from now on. Either that or just limp-calling and going for trips.

[Scuba Chuck]

Finch, I think this is the type of hand that defines your play. SnG's, remember, are about middle and bubble play. I think you can lump these hands in with AQ. Depending on the blinds, I limp or fold, unless I have position. Then I might fool around a little.

[SuitedSixes]

[ QUOTE ]
Example: 50 blinds, TsTc in MP with 800 chips, I make it 200 to go. Button calls, everyone else folds.

[/ QUOTE ]

But what if the button re-raises? Assume he has AK and push back? Or call and then not know how to proceed when a J flops? Then what do you do? I think 200 MP is way too much for a hand like TT that will just get you in to trouble playing out of position.

Limp. Hope for a set or unders.

[Pepsquad]

I agree. 1010 and JJ are so easy to get married to pre-flop. The key to playing these hands is so situational, that's what is driving you crazy. There's no standard for these hands. Typically, I'm more conservative pre-flop with these hands than most people - and more aggressive post-flop with them than most people. Just remember, when you hold 1010, 40% of the time the flop will come with at least one overcard. Usually I limp and the number of opponents to see the flop (and who these opponents are) then dictates my play.

[wudrow]

lately i have changed my play on these, and even lower pocket pair sometimes. I rarely raise with middle to lower PP and will call a raise if up to 4x BB. If only 3-4 players left in hand, i asses the players and will usually bet 1/2 the pot. Since playing this way, i have taken pots here 60% to 70% of time. Sometimes i will get 1 caller and most of the time it is checked throught he river and over 50% of the time i will take the pot.

[Karak567]

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em Tourney, Big Blind is t20 (9 handed) converter

Button (t1350)
SB (t3520)
BB (t940)
Hero (t1470)
UTG+1 (t2390)
MP1 (t500)
MP2 (t1230)
MP3 (t740)
CO (t1360)

Preflop: Hero is UTG with 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 9[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img].
Hero calls t20, <font color="#666666">4 folds</font>, CO calls t20, <font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, SB completes, BB checks.

Flop: (t80) 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], 6[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(4 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">SB bets t60</font>, BB folds, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to t120</font>, CO folds, SB calls t60.

Turn: (t320) 7[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
SB checks, <font color="#CC3333">Hero bets t300</font>, SB calls t300.

River: (t920) A[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">SB bets t300</font>, Hero folds.

Final Pot: t1220

[AtticusFinch]

To be clear, with TT or 99, I often raise, but I'm never happy about it. It's just what the conventional wisdom says to do. I'm thinking about limping with them much more often, though. Maybe calling small raises. I'll be looking for an overpair or a set.

With JJ I feel a little better raising, but still not good. I'd honestly rather take down the blinds PF with any of these, or just push, because these hands are so damned hard to play post flop in no-limit. (In limit they're much easier.)

[Karak567]

Early on (levels 1-3) I limp with 99-JJ... level 4+ it's an open raise for me.

[SuitedSixes]

So what you're saying is, you are willing to invest 1/4 of your stack in a situation that you are never comfortable with just because "conventional wisdom" dictates it? I don't think "conventional wisdom" plays SNGs at Party Poker.

[raptor517]

im curious as to why you thought it was necessary to raise the flop? thats a check fold flop.