what to do with pockets 7s 8s 9s?

[cortez1982]

Question?

u r playing a big tournament, u paid a lot 2 be in there & u expect 2 go forward 'till the prizes places to cover ur debts..

u are in first after the bb with a medium chips stack, take a look at the cards and u discover a pocket 8s (or another middle pair like 7s or 9s)..
how do u approach that hand?

1 - close eyes, fingers crossed and u push all in..

2 - call the bb and wait for the others 2 act

3 - make a minimum raise (like bb*2)

4 - make an heavy raise (like 4* of bb or more)

5- something else


let me know, then i will tell my own approach..

ps. sorry 4 my english

[Matadoo]

My approach in this situation depends heavily on the other players, my position and how much I care if i win or not lol

A lot of the time I will just pay to see the flop and hope I hit the set.. Other times I will push all in and just hope to see the set.. This is handy if blinds are up a bit, as sometimes noone will call and you can pull in 300-400 in blinds alone..

[T_B_H]

either flat call or raise big,depending how many at table and how they been playing before.
ideally you only want to be up against 1 other hand. 88 against AK is about 50/50 even slight fav for the pockets.

so for me falt call to see flop or raise big to eliminate others.

kev

[BlackLava]

I agree with Matador here, you need to know the other players before doing anything about raising with such pairs AND know how those others players see you at the table.

Another important data would be the tournament structure and the number of paid places, a really fast turbo structure with a low number of paid places could validate an All-in with such pairs even if you don't really know the other players

Like NoahsGrandad said you are 50/50 against AK but you are too against QT : If you're playing on a newbie table you will see players calling your all-in with a queen and a ten offsuit so take care a lot, your fold equity is something important (Allways double think your bets or raises in term of % your opponents directly fold, could sounds strange but it's efficient).
My advice : Outside a turbo structure and/or no perfect knowledge of the players simply call the BB and wait for a flop hitting a set OR 3 undercards.
If you are on a very aggressive table with tons of players raising preflop you should even fold sometimes, I know players who will allways fold such pairs...

I'm not into betting small with such pairs, could do but only to change my playing style or in really specific cases like for stealing the blinds or if I'm on a very tight table.

[robbo34]

sometimes you just have to throw them away if someone is bidding heavy. That' my advice, bt, you also get a feel for the players and know who the bluffers are

[T_B_H]

Originally Posted by BlackLava

I agree with Matador here, you need to know the other players before doing anything about raising with such pairs AND know how those others players see you at the table.

Another important data would be the tournament structure and the number of paid places, a really fast turbo structure with a low number of paid places could validate an All-in with such pairs even if you don't really know the other players

Like NoahsGrandad said you are 50/50 against AK but you are too against QT : If you're playing on a newbie table you will see players calling your all-in with a queen and a ten offsuit so take care a lot, your fold equity is something important (Allways double think your bets or raises in term of % your opponents directly fold, could sounds strange but it's efficient).
My advice : Outside a turbo structure and/or no perfect knowledge of the players simply call the BB and wait for a flop hitting a set OR 3 undercards.
If you are on a very aggressive table with tons of players raising preflop you should even fold sometimes, I know players who will allways fold such pairs...

I'm not into betting small with such pairs, could do but only to change my playing style or in really specific cases like for stealing the blinds or if I'm on a very tight table.

YES VERY TRUE LAVA ABOUT 50/50 TO ANY 2 OVERCARDS,AND ABOUT 33% AGAINST 2 OTHER HANDS

[stjimmy]

i agree with all the above,flat call, hope for a trip or all under cards, then strike. i even play 10s like this.

[sothlondoner]

I would prob throw them awy if someone is betting aggressively. You have to sous out your opponent to decide whether or not they are bluffing

[Ace_hunteR]

throw away fast

[Karkariz]

Just don't over play them!!
I tend to over play those hands and it cost me most of my 34 million I had a few days ago!

[evilsv6]

for me it depends on my level of frustration at the time i have one plenty of times on middle pockets but have also lost a number of times to

but usally call bb and see the flop but if i get called all in pre flop i will usally go in

[Sikbeni]

There is no set rule for me. Where is the dealer button? Is anyone still steaming? Can anyone be 'bullied'? Have you been lying low for the last 5 hands? What are your testostorone levels like (are you feeling brave punk?)? All these factors and more I am yet to discover, affect your decision. Often, the cards I am dealt do not dictate my play, they only suggest my next move. Best wishes

[divein]

Raise the same amount almost every hand you play,be it AA JQ 66 10 7 that way they never know what you have and you don't have an automatic fold when over cards flop.And if it's cheap enough even losing is winning.

[RobbieLePop]

How many are on the table and how aggresive are they?

If there are only 4 or 5 left for example, I'd be tempted to go all in. You'll probably find that 3 or 4 fold and maybe one will call, which in my opinon is worth the risk.
If you made a flat call and anything higher than your pocket pair comes out, you're pretty much done for. Eliminate people with one high card and a low kicker first.

On a table with 6 or more players? Probably a flat call or fold.

[jack5offsuitrulez]

Personally, unless the blinds are still at levels 1-3, I am heavily short stacked or up against a player I know to be overly aggressive with mediocre hands, I fold them. Not to everyones taste, but a harmless way of saving chips for more solid hands.

[JonnoRock]

So it's agreed then. As everyone plays differently,it's up to you! Good luck.

[kingluke22]

This is some good advice, i have trouble with mid pocket pairs too.. they get cracked too often to go all in but are too good to instatntly fold (big dilemna).

[jamie_u]

just calll to see flop and see if you hit 3 of kind if so goo all in

[jockney]

Originally Posted by jamie_u

just calll to see flop and see if you hit 3 of kind if so goo all in

Even if you belive that when you hit a Set that you have the best hand going ALL-IN is not always the best strategy in terms of maximising your winnings.