How To Play Middle Pocket Pairs

Many people struggle to play middle pocket pairs. When should you play them and when should you fold them. With a high pair, the answer is obvious, as it is with a low pair but how about a middle pair?

Position

Obviously, position counts for a great deal. If you very late in position then it is almost always worth raising. But what about at other times? Personally, I won’t play them from early position unless I can see the flop for free. Otherwise, proceed as below.

Can You Flush Out Tight Players?

If you know that the other players are mostly very tight, then it is often worth raising just to see if you can flush them out with some aggressive play. At least you will have reduced the number of total players so that your odds of winning will have increased considerably.

If nobody folds then be extremely cautious for the rest of the game. I recommend just calling for as long as you can as you will be unlikely to flush out these players later on unless you risk increasing the stakes and going all the way to the showdown.

When To Limp In

If you’re playing against loose players who will play almost any hand, your best bet is to call before the flop. Everyone will be playing to see flop and, even if someone actually does have a good hand, at least you get to see the flop cheaply and who knows how the game could change at that point?

Through To The Flop

If the cards dealt at the flop are only middle or low cards then it’s best to be aggressive and raise an amount justified by your position. Chances are that everyone will think that you have a good hand that they will be unable to beat.

Even if they don’t believe you, anyone with poor hole cards will probably fold early because they don’t think they have a chance of beating you.

Beware of anyone who calls or raises.