Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

I understand that AA-JJ are some of the most profitable hands, but I can't shake the feeling I am misplaying them. I think I'm stuck in HOH mode when I need to be in TOP mode. Cash games and tournaments are different.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (8 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

MP2 ($14.05)
Hero ($10)
Button ($7.30)
SB ($12.40)
BB ($6.45)
UTG ($12.15)
UTG+1 ($5)
MP1 ($10)

Preflop: Hero is CO with Q[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], Q[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]. UTG+1 posts a blind of $0.10.
<font color="#666666">1 fold</font>, <font color="#CC3333">UTG+1 (poster) raises to $0.4</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $1.4</font>, <font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">UTG+1 raises to $5</font>, Hero calls $3.60.

Flop: ($10.15) 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 5[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Turn: ($10.15) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

River: ($10.15) 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Final Pot: $10.15

Ok, here is another one. How do you guys play the flop?

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $0.10 BB (9 handed) FTR converter on zerodivide.cx

CO ($14.20)
Hero ($10.35)
SB ($3.30)
BB ($8.65)
UTG ($6.85)
UTG+1 ($12.05)
MP1 ($8.20)
MP2 ($4.60)
MP3 ($10.20)

Preflop: Hero is Button with J[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img], J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img].
<font color="#666666">3 folds</font>, MP2 calls $0.10, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $0.4</font>, <font color="#666666">2 folds</font>, MP2 calls $0.30.

Flop: ($0.95) 9[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img], 3[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img], 8[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>
<font color="#CC3333">MP2 bets $0.2</font>, <font color="#CC3333">Hero raises to $1.3</font>, <font color="#CC3333">MP2 raises to $4.2</font>, Hero calls $2.90.

Turn: ($9.35) 2[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

River: ($9.35) T[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] <font color="#0000FF">(2 players)</font>

Final Pot: $9.35

Am I just unlucky? Do you guys play these hands differently? Both of these happened to me in the first two orbits of a session, so I don't really have any reads.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

Hand 1, I fold to UTG+1's all-in 3-bet.

Hand 2 looks more like 88 or 99 than QQ+, but I still fold to the flop 3-bet.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

First hand is a nervous call, You were fine in second hand but I'm split among call or fold. You are in a tough spot with premium holdings, You still make money in both spots, You were just not catching cards. Or maybe I'm too drunk to be posting.

Cambraceres

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

Sounds like you're in the place I need to be.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

Hand one is read dependent at 10 NL. Is this the type of player that buys in short and then pushes and is willing to push a high ace or mid pocket pair? Or is he tight and looking for a good spot to double up.

If he's tight fold and pick a better spot, if not definitely call.

Hand 2 looks fine, maybe MP2 hit a set but he's short stacked, so I would definitely make the call for the extra couple dollars.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

It was first first orbit, so I didn't have any real reads.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

[ QUOTE ]
It was first first orbit, so I didn't have any real reads.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm that makes it tough. I probably call, your ahead of all but 2 hands here.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

Hand 1: eh, I probably call here too. I guess it depends on opponent, and at higher levels I might fold, but at the .05/.10 people do enough crazy things that I probably stick it in, esp. considering the guy is shortstacked.

Hand 2: I fold here. I like to raise these weak leads as well, as they are often draws or little "feeler" bets with crap, but when you get 3-bet it is almost always a big hand.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

I justify all kinds of plays by being like "Well, it's 10NL." That's a leak I need to examine.

Re: Misplaying big pocket pairs?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I justify all kinds of plays by being like "Well, it's 10NL." That's a leak I need to examine.

[/ QUOTE ]

try saying that when you decide to move up