Playing Small Pocket Pairs Pre-Flop

[Hawt]

When you are dealt something like 22, 33, or 44, do you like to just call the blind (or check if your the big blind) to try and see a cheap flop and flop trips, or do you all like to raise, lets say like 3x the BB (or call a raise depending on your position)?

[Nikita]

Personally, I only play small pokets in late position and I raise 3XBB when I have them in that position. This usually clears the field of less than average hands and I get to act last. If after the flop everyone checks before me, I play aggressive and bet around half the pot. Then I watch how everyone reacts. Sometimes everyone folds, sometimes they don't, but I find if everyone keeps checking to me on the turn and river, I'm the only one whose got a made pair. My goal here is to not go to showdown because they can easily be beat.

If I'm SB or BB, then I call to see the flop cheap (I'm might call a small raise, depending on the odds). I don't like playing those pockets in first position because it's hard to get a read on if they are holding up or not.

[PShabi]

I'm gonna assume No Limit, because that's what most of the new members play.

I like to try to limp early, but if table conditions lead me to believe that I won't get in cheap, I'll just muck them. Cheap flops are good.

If I'm in late position, I'll often raise them up if no one is in yet. Just trying to steal the blinds.

I also don't mind calling a small raise in position, as long as it's not more than say, 5% of my chip stack.

[studiopet]

According to Harrington regarding 55,44,33,22:

In early position toss em
In middle position, limp with 55,44 toss 33,22
In late position, mostly raise with 55,44 and call with 33, 22

I don't know how I feel about his advice on late position play. I tend to toss them if i'm not BB/SB and limp if I am.

[Robbie Robb]

Needless to say, there is much poker strategy discussion in our house. I generally agree with Nikita, but I will limp in if UTG or early position. Unless it's on UB, then I *KNOW* that my 33 is going to be met with an 88 AND KK or something silly like that. (No, I don't think the site is rigged and don't want to start a huge debate about that. gods knows we've ALL read enough debate about that. It just seems that an inordinate amount hands have multiple pocket pairs)

So, that said - early/mid I'll limp in. late position I may raise 3xBB. However, if there has been a LOT of action pre-flop (calls and especially raises), I'll toss 'em.

[johnp158]

Talking about a NL cash game? Limp with any PP in any position. As your position improves you can open-raise with some of the more marginal ones. Call a standard raise with any PP as long as both you and your opponent have a decent stack. If you've done this and you don't flop a set, check/fold.

[Hawt]

yeah, NL cash game/tournament.

[Talking Poker]

^--What he said.

Of course, you can't go wrong listening to Harrington, so that's my official advice.

[FatRufus]

i mainly call the blind because the chances of someone hitting a higher pair outweigh your chance at trips

[yankeesfn08]

I like to rasie low pockets r my fav.