How To Play Small Pocket Pairs Pre-flop
Sitting in a late position and carrying pocket aces into the flop is a great opportunity to not only steal blinds, but also to draw others into the pot. Big pairs make the pre-flop action easy to toy with. However, playing small pairs pre-flop isn’t nearly as simple, even if you have position on everyone else.
Today, we’ll explain how to ride your small pocket pairs into the flop and how to know when it’s better to fold. Your chip stack, position, and raise strategy all play key roles in leading the table and having a chance to flop your set. For the sake of simplicity, we’re going to consider deuces through sixes “small.”
Small Pairs With A Small Chip Stack
Let’s suppose you’re in an early position coming off $2-$4 blinds. You have a small chip stack compared to everyone else, so you don’t have a lot of room to chase flops. You’re dealt pocket fives.
In this scenario, there’s no reason to fold (yet) and calling is a bad idea. If you call, you’ll lose control and have to play catch-up to the action coming back around to you. A good tactic is to throw out a standard raise (i.e. $12). By doing so, you’re sending a message that you holding pocket cards worth a few chips.
If everyone folds off your raise, you’ll walk with the blinds. That’s not bad. An even better situation is when a few players call. That gives you a chance to make a set off the flop. If someone reraises, you’re better off folding. Leaking a few chips is better than busting on a wing and a prayer.
If you’re in a late position with small pairs, you have an advantage. But, that doesn’t mean you’re invincible, even if the action is folding to you. The blinds could be holding stronger pocket cards. If you overbet the flop, you could be asking for trouble.
Small Pairs With A Large Chip Stack
More chips equals more flexibility. You can often use your stack to slowly siphon chips from the smaller stacks by bullying them pre-flop. However, your early position play with small pairs should be the same as if your stack was small. A standard raise off the big blind will push a few players out and give you a chance to see the flop.
If you’re playing in the middle position, watch the action coming toward you, especially when it’s coming from smaller stacks. A large raise from a small stack is a red flag. If you chase it, you’ll get sucked into the flop. If the small stack raiser flops his or her set, you’ll be staring down the barrel of an all-in scenario. That could get expensive given your small pair.
Being in late position with a large chip stack gives you a huge natural advantage. If other players are limping in, push out with a raise at 4 or 5 times the BB. That sets the tone going into the flop. Regardless of what the flop brings, you can fire your second bullet using your position strength and stack as leverage. If you’re lucky, you’ll flop a nice set.
If the action is raising and reraising coming toward you pre-flop, it’s probably better to fold your small pair. Let the others fight it out.
That’s a good primer for playing small pocket pairs pre-flop. The key to profiting from them is to realize how your chip stack, position, and raise strategy can influence the action. Often, that’s all it takes to steal the blinds or scoop the pot.
To put the strategy we’ve described into practice, visit Bodog Poker. They’re one of our top-rated poker rooms and boast steady, brisk traffic across their tables. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to read our extensive Bodog Poker review as well as a round-up of Bodog bonus promotions.
Also, we’d like to invite you to join our KickAssPoker League in time for the coming season.
Comments
Got something to say?
