Register

Start a blog, write comments and discuss in the forum.

Playing a small pocket pair (2s to 6s) is often tricky - not always easy to fold but not very likely to win after the flop. Here's what I have to say on the subject of small pairs:

• When there are more than 5 people to act after you (including the blinds) the prudent play would be to fold them pre-flop.
  
  
• When you have less than 30 BB in your stack you should definitely not play them.
  
  
• When you have less than 10 BB in your stack you should go all-in. But only in an unraised pot and if you're sat in the last 3 positions.
  
  
• If you have more than 30 BB in your stack you shouldn't raise with them but try to create a pot with several players. If you don't hit a set on the flop then throw your cards in.
  
  
• If you make your set, don't slow-play it! Bet a little less than the pot all the way through. Slow playing could give you a smaller pot or, even worse, you could give someone the opportunity to better your set.

Poker Articles

• Take the Rake Back
• Stealing The Blinds
• How to Play Shorthanded Poker
• Play More Pots
• WSOP 2008
• Controlling the Pot
• Loosening Up Before the Flop – Part 2
• Loosening Up Before the Flop – Part 1
• Calling On the Flop to Set Up a Bluff
• How Often Can First-in Vigourish Be Used?

Recommended Poker Rooms