Small Pocket Pairs

[reavtrain]

I normally play sit-and-go $10 NL Holdem Tourneys and I have noticed alot of players playing small (8 and below) pocket pairs for fairly big money. In my estimation I think that small pocket pairs are vastly overvalued preflop since they are basically worthless unless you fill up on the flop. I tend not to mind too much because I would usually have a better hand than them when they call but it sure is frustrating when you get rivered by a player calling big bets with pocket 5s when you have top pair only for them to catch a 5 on the river. What is the general though on this forum about small pocket pairs and their value in NL holdem tourneys.

Reav

[ballbp]

I personally like the lower pocket pairs. Some people even like to raise pre-flop with them to cut down on the amount of callers. I don't agree with playing them to the river though. If I don't make my trips on the flop I have to get rid of them. When you do make them on the flop, it's hard for someone to put you on pockets so they can be very lucrative.

[ORGrinder]

i agree 100%. depending on postion and chip count i might call a blind with a 66 down to maybe a 44... but i'd muck if i didn't catch the set on the flop.

ppl have an uncany need to hold onto their cards... this is why you, with your strategy there of not playing these kinds of hands in the majority of situations, will come out on top!

obviously... the number of players left, your chip count, and your position all play into this. heads up/final two at table... obviously an entirely different situation and warrents a different kind of play.

but ya... i couldn't agree more with ya.