99 in EP & MP

[BZ_Zorro]

This hasn't been settled satisfactorily imo.

You're playing $50/$100/$200NL, typical table. You get 99 in UTG...MP2, in an unraised pot. What's your normal course of action?

[poboy]

I'd likely limp from UTG and raise from MP on. JMO

[xorbie]

In MP this really depends on how many limpers. Enough limpers and I limp. No limpers I will open in MP 50/50.

[soah]

Why are we supposed to play a hand the same UTG as from MP2?

[imported_anacardo]

I'm raising that [censored] regardless & it's totally TAG to do so. Nines are a near-premium hand that want to limit the field. Simple. 88-77 limp UTG, raise from middle on. All other pocket pairs limp in any position barring any troublesome table factors, raise late.

[BZ_Zorro]

The original discussion was about raising 99 other than CO or button. I said 'often' and 'sometimes' so that should cover it I think. I didn't want to make two separate polls.

[BZ_Zorro]

[ QUOTE ]
Nines are a near-premium hand that want to limit the field.

[/ QUOTE ] In limit maybe, but IMO they're very unplayable OOP when overs flop. What do you do when you raise 99 OOP and overs flop? Just lead out?

[soah]

QTs wins more often against nine random opponents than 99 does. Do you raise that from UTG too?

[imported_anacardo]

As with all such situations, it depends.

Two to the flop, J84r? I'm betting out 100% of the time and reevaluating based on opponent's action.

Four to the flop, AsKsTc, holding two red nines = I'm done.

Actually, I'm probably looking to check-fold any time I'm not headup and an ace or two other Broadway cards flop. Headup I'll usually represent strength regardless & quit it to resistance. Hell, I'm the raiser.

[imported_anacardo]

[ QUOTE ]
QTs wins more often against nine random opponents than 99 does. Do you raise that from UTG too?

[/ QUOTE ]

No. QTs is an excellent drawing hand. I'm limping that UTG and folding to a raise with rare exceptions (MP1 raises, four call for no reason.) I don't WANT nine random opponents with 99. I want ONE random, loose-passive pre- / weak-tight post-flop opponent who'll fold his ace-rag to a continuation bet, putting me on AK. So I raise preflop, as that's the action most likely to bring me and my desires together.

I realize you can't have it all, but that's why the good Lord gave us reads, PokerTracker & continuation bets.