Small Pocket Pairs in the blinds (theory discussion)

[Fallen Hero]

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Mercman,

I know the 5-10 rule... I have been using it until now - I just wonder whether it works out of position as well... It just seems to me that it's real hard to stack someone with a set when OOP... so what percentage of the stack would you call? 5%? or less?

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it's not hard to stack someone out of position, sets aren't exactly the kind of hand you should have problems playing oop. Just bet into him and all that stuff you probably allready know

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Well then you're shaky on the use your judgement part. Yes out of position (as I originally posted) I will not call more than 5% if they are a loose raisor or if they are weaktight.

And yes, it is quite hard to stack a decent play out of position with a set, here's why. A standard PFR of 4BB and call gives you 8BB in the pot. A PSB of 8 puts 24BB in the pot. Typically you bet 2/3 on a non draw type turn, so that puts (16 bet and call) 56BB in the river. Most river bets are for 1/2-2/3 pot for value if you want them to be called. That's still not 100BB and that's still not +EV. That's assuming you just bet and are called on a non draw heavy board, although there are other lines and draw heavy boards, there are also the times the villain folds to your first bet to factor in as well. So out of position I recommenend no more than a 5BB call unless you have some sort of read on the player. If you are against someone thatoverplays one pair that is obviously different, but I am talking about a semi-decent player.

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a semi-decent player usually raises you flop bet with an overpair or tptk so that helps...but you still won't stack him unless you have a very good image and the board helps you. Anyway, I never had a problem just using 5/10 and/or commum sense, 10k is probably just too small of a db

PS: I hope you're not looking at the money you're making while including the money you pay for the blinds.

[Morrek]

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10K database... not huge... but the fact that the trend can be seen on all small pocket pairs is quite worrying...

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.. 10K is nothing. Come back in another 30-40k atleast and we'll see. You miss with pairs most of the time, so sample sizes are even more important if you want an accurate view of how profitable you are with them compared to other types of hands.