That is definately one of the more important factors that I missed and I will edit my blog to outline that very important detail. Thanks Doc!
All In,
Randy C~
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Playing Pocket Pairs
By MassPokerMar 25, 09 01:10 AM
Pocket pairs are, in my opinion, the most incorrectly and over-played hands in all of NLTH. I have seen PP's (pocket pairs) played right to the river when, according to the community cards, they are clearly beaten and in many situations should have been folded pre-flop because the betting warranted that action. Yet, I still see players feel that these PP's possess some magical quality that they are sure it will take the pot down for them.
There's no exact or precise way to play PP's... Well, let me take that back, there is ONE precise way to play them..."cautiously!" Often I am asked, "How do I play pocket aces?" or "How do I play middle pocket pairs? The truth is, there's really no "one" way to play them. Each hand of PP's and HOW YOU PLAY THEM should be dependent upon the scenario at that time and the situation you have run into. Often times, these factors must be considered before entering a pot with PP's and whether or not a raise or reraise is warranted:
PRE-FLOP
a) your position;
b) how many people have already entered the pot;
c) have there been any raises and/or reraises in front of you;
d) How much can you bet and/or raise (safely; so as not to
scare other players out of the pot and procure as much as
possible);
e) How big are your PP's and how likely are they to stand up to
a potential raise/reraise;
f) What is my image at the table perceived as: Tight, loose,
neutral?
g) Ideally, you'll want to narrow the field so as to become heads- up. Many players believe (falsely in my opinion) that if you
have a hand ike PP aces, that you would want as many
players in the hand as possible. However, this is a mistaken
premise because for each player that is in the hand, that
lowers the value of your aces;
POST-FLOP
a) How many overcards hit the flop;
b) What size bet. raise or reraise has been made;
c) What size bet should you lead out with;
d) After the flop, how many players are still left the in pot?
As you can see, playing pocket pairs has many, many considerations and factors that MUST be weighed into your decision as to HOW and even IF you should play your pocket pair.
Remember this, and it may be the most important factor whether or not you continue on with that PP... Pre-flop, you only have 2 outs from that point, and even though it's already a "made" hand, you have to ask yourself this one very important question before going any further into the hand with it: Is this hand, and the risk to my stack worth going any further?
Sometimes it's like flipping a coin. Good luck!
All In,
MassPoker
DrCheckRaise
Considering all the factors that yuo laid out. When playing pocket pairs you need to determine what size bet will get you head up. If you can determine what size bets will bork to get head up you have a much better chance of being successful. Once head up, there is a 66% chance that the flop will MISS your opponent. Take So there is a large chance you can take it down after the flop. If your flop bet is called. It is time to shuit down unless you umprove. Doc