This is probably one of the most hotly contested debates in all of poker - the proper way to play low and medium pocket pairs.

First, low pocket pairs… there are two schools of thought on them, limp or fold.

The school that says limp is basically hoping to hit a set on the flop. Course, we know that the odds of hitting a set on the flop are small (7.5 to 1 or slightly over 13%). In other words, to make proper pot odds you need 7 to 1… but the implied odds if you hit your set are much better, which is why people can limp for this long shot draw. So typically, this move works best when there are lots of limpers and you’re sure that no one will raise. This is certainly a problem if you’re under-the-gun or a middle position. The ideal situation for pocket pairs is in a limped pot where you are on the button or in the blinds.

The other strategy is folding, especially in early or middle position (for the reasons I just discussed). The idea is that low pocket pairs (5 or under) so rarely hit that just limping in from the blinds will eventually add up and create a negative -EV. While I agree with this sentiment, I think it’s a little too tight in real world situations.

What I like is a best-of-both-worlds philosophy. I’ll limp with a small pocket pair in a late position and in the blinds, especially if there are a lot of limpers, but usually fold from an early position.

Middle pocket pairs are slightly different in the fact that you can raise from a late position in attempt to win the blinds. This works best into a pot that doesn’t have a lot of limpers and if NO ONE has opened the pot before you.

If there is a raise before you, you should tread carefully. If it’s likely to be heads up, you can sometimes call a raise with the intention of betting the flop, almost no matter what cards come, in an attempt to steal, since most cards miss the flop the majority of the time. Just be careful and if you meet a lot of resistance, you’re likely up against it.

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