General stud theory question: Being raised in the first betting round

[bygmesterf]

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Playing no middle pairs has got to be -EV, thats pretty tight I think.

And calling a half bet on 3rd street won't tie you on if you don't improve by 5th most of the time. If you don't catch 2 pair or better or a good draw by fifth get out of the hand.

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It's called being selective. Middle pairs are basicly ante stealing fuel in my opinion. It's not even worth the limp, if there are overcards behind you.

Often you won't improve by 5th street, which will cost you 2 BB each time. And Sometimes when you improve you lose. 2Pair vs an Over pair on 5th isn't a prohibative favorite. Unless you catch trips, you will never be able to play with confidence.

The net result is that middlepairs are very overated, and that 7CSFAP dramatically over encourages playing them.