How to play a middle pocket pair

[JKshark]

What do u do if u get pocket 8's? raise pre flop? call a raise? i never know what to do and i always seem to lose with them..should i just fold pre flop or hope to catch a set?

[ariekralt]

wait, if other people dont raise you will raise, if they raise only call and watch the flop

[Zouljerft88]

i never play any poker pair below 9's unless is dirt cheap : )

[brinx]

beleive a middle pp is deadly too....i usually (depends on stack of course) just limp in and hope for the best but with big stack i try to bet high enuff to discourage all contenders

[coachkf]

In NLHE here's what I'd suggest:

Early position, limp, get in cheap. If there are multiple bets and raises behind you, dump it. You want to flop a set. On the flop, play "no set, no bet". A possible exception would be if all 3 flop cards are lower than your 8's, and it's not really a connected or suited board.

Middle or Late position. If it's folded to you, make your standard raise. Continuation bet on the flop. If you have callers in front preflop, just limp along behind them. Be ready to dump it both preflop and flop if betting action gets crazy. If someone makes a raise preflop, I'd be willing to call a small bet if they've got a good stack. You need to be able to cash in if you flop your set. If they've got a tiny stack, you won't make much, even if you flop your set!

You've got to play those middle pairs cautiously. Dream scenario is at a table full of loose passive guys where you have a bunch of limping preflop. If you can see a flop cheap and it be 4 or 5 handed, if you flop your set, you've got a great chance of getting paid off in a big way.

[scientist456]

Try to see a flop cheap (read Late position calling). If you dont connect or hit, fold.
Never invest more than 10% of your stack preflop, chance you hit is about 12,5% (see the math? ) Cashgame that is..... Tournament is all different, based on stack, blinds etc etc
Pretty easy play, pretty profitable if played well....
Seen a good article about this, too bad its in Dutch

[MadMat]

If it's folded to me in mid / late position (or even if theres one limper already in) I like to raise 3-4 times the big blind with small and mid pocket pairs. I can then win three ways, I can win the blinds uncontested, I can flop a set, or I can steal with a continuation bet if it's checked to me on the flop

Mat

[coachkf]

Originally Posted by scientist456

Try to see a flop cheap (read Late position calling). If you dont connect or hit, fold.
Never invest more than 10% of your stack preflop, chance you hit is about 12,5% (see the math? ) Cashgame that is..... Tournament is all different, based on stack, blinds etc etc
Pretty easy play, pretty profitable if played well....
Seen a good article about this, too bad its in Dutch

You speak/write Dutch? (guessing so, since you said it was a good article)

[1ZANMAN]

i always push all in pre flop but thats jsut me persoannly it works but some peopel dont like it!

[scientist456]

Originally Posted by coachkf

You speak/write Dutch? (guessing so, since you said it was a good article)

Yep. im from Holland