I would probably wait until I had 3 cards [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img].

However, if you meant rolled-up 5s, I would call along for now. You see, betting might not thin the field on at this point - but, your follow-up bets might thin the field before 5th, which is where you want money going in (or later).

Remember, if you raise here you only gain an extra half of a small bet from each player. (You say that they will probably call either way.) I think you will be making a more profitable play if you let them form a little something first. (For example, at low limits players will not lay down two pairs to your aggression often.)

Also, what do you hope to portray? I know they do not think much, but really - what are you completing with here? Big buried pair or rolled-up trips as far as they are concerned - when they see you bet out on a later round and start to wonder if they are beat. They do not think, "what would he complete with?", but rather, "what would I complete with?".

I think the calibre of "overcards" is important, also. I mean, an overcard to a 5 is not exactly a powerhouse. If there are Kings and Aces and Queens out, especially in force, what hand can they read you for?

I quite like going cheaply to fourth and seeing if my board will let me represent a four-straight or a four-flush. It is likely a big pair or any two-pair made on 4th will take the lead - and you can wait until the big betting rounds to pop him. Also, by playing slower until 5th you will get more of a handle on whether you need to fill up or not - and these flush draws or straight draws are not folding anyway.

If they really are calling machines, you might get away with popping it on 4th and 6th - I try to avoid doing so on 7th because they are all very keen to save that final bet at low limits, for a reason I will never understand.

Of course, if you are lucky, some of those big cards have big pairs and go to war with each other. In this case, I would probably call along hoping that they will put in a lot of money before I let them know they are drawing pretty slim. You could run into bigger trips, but it will not be happening often.

This is basically a slight paraphrase of some of Chip Reese's advice with some added paranoia and stupidity from me. I am sure arguments can be made for trying to make people fold by going straight for the jugular. (With the intention of having them fold before putting money in on 5th.) However, this is how I would probably play it - maybe a little predictable, but it works at lower limits.