Playing middle pairs in late position-against multi callers

[JGlo]

I am still a unsure on how to play a situation like this. Say you get dealt 6-6 thru 9-9 in late position, either early or midway through a tournament, and at least 3 people have called ( or called a small raise) in front of you and you have the button and blinds yet to act. Do you raise to try and get heads up? Call in hopes of hitting a set? Then, say the flop misses you, how much are you willing to invest to stay through the turn and river? I know this is a little vague, but would like some opinions on how you guys play this situation.

If I may even go further, do you even play these hands with an average stack, late in tournament, when at least 2 people have acted before you?

[Lloyd]

Typically you should just call with hands like these and play for set value. So you should at least be able to get get 8 to 1 odds. And on the flop, the rule "no set, no bet" applies. And you'd certainly fold on the flop if someone bets in front of you and you don't have your set.

Later in tournaments you have to be careful. Often times if a few people limp, somebody in late position or the blinds will raise. So if that's how your table is playing don't limp if you can't call the raise. And on the other hand, if a few people limp you might consider raising to WIN the pot pre-flop. You're not raising to get heads up with a middle pair. You're raising to win right then. But this is a bit more advanced strategy and you need to read your table well to use it appropriately.