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.
Written by: Thomas Lamatsch