Joined: Feb '11
Location: Germany
Age: 31 (M)
Posts: 1859
This depends on a lot of factors.. Are we talking about cashgames? SNGs? MTTs? If the latter, what stacksize do we have? How good do you feel about your own postflop play?
Those are all factors to take into account that we'd need information on to give a correct answer on how you should play them.
In cashgames or when you're deepstacked (early phase) in tournaments you should always look to see a flop for cheap if you can. I don't differ 77 or 99, I'd consider them as almost equally strong when deepstacked. Either we hit a set and get it in anyways, or our hand is usually not strong enough to play a big pot either way. On a 23578 board I wouldn't want to get 99 in for full stack either vs. most players, so our basic goal is to setmine, with 77 or 99. If we don't, play carefully postflop, of course depending on villain and board. Don't be afraid of open limping small pockets even in early position, many people will say it's an outdated strategy but it's still as effective as it used to be unless you play vs. good players that know you most likely hold a pocket when you limp (won't happen until you play at least lowstakes).
I could write more about this topic as it's a tricky spot alot of the time, but too tired now, if there's a more specific scenario posted (format/stacksize etc.( it's really important information to give good advice!!)) I'll happily reply again.
Joined: May '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 38 (M)
Posts: 2064
Posted by BeMyATMplz: This depends on a lot of factors.. Are we talking about cashgames? SNGs? MTTs? If the latter, what stacksize do we have? How good do you feel about your own postflop play?
Those are all factors to take into account that we'd need information on to give a correct answer on how you should play them.
In cashgames or when you're deepstacked (early phase) in tournaments you should always look to see a flop for cheap if you can. I don't differ 77 or 99, I'd consider them as almost equally strong when deepstacked. Either we hit a set and get it in anyways, or our hand is usually not strong enough to play a big pot either way. On a 23578 board I wouldn't want to get 99 in for full stack either vs. most players, so our basic goal is to setmine, with 77 or 99. If we don't, play carefully postflop, of course depending on villain and board. Don't be afraid of open limping small pockets even in early position, many people will say it's an outdated strategy but it's still as effective as it used to be unless you play vs. good players that know you most likely hold a pocket when you limp (won't happen until you play at least lowstakes).
I could write more about this topic as it's a tricky spot alot of the time, but too tired now, if there's a more specific scenario posted (format/stacksize etc.( it's really important information to give good advice!!)) I'll happily reply again.
Spot on.... couldn't have put it better myself.
To simplify matters, you could answer the question like this:
Q: How do you play pocket 9s? A: The same way you should play all cards...... well.
What qualifies as "playing well" changes all the time, so there is no set way.
