09-27-04, LearnTexasHoldem:

Middle Pair Low Limit Games

Question: I often seem to get into trouble when I flop middle pair in a low limit game. Say 10 players, pot unraised pre flop, 4 or 5 see flop. With an overcard, from an early position, or if its checked around to me in a late position, I often bet, hoping people will fold or raise. Often I get 2 or 3 callers and I still don't really know where I am. I can't assume they're drawing as often they have top pair, weak kicker.

Can you give me any advice on how to play middle pair.

Many thanks.

David Williamson from Ayr, Scotland.

Top 3 Beginner Rooms

Answer: Thanks for the question David. You need to bet if you are in last position and you have middle pair and everyone checks to you. The only time I wouldn't bet in that spot in a low limit game is if the board was really connected and I didn't have any extra outs. For example, if the board was all one suit and I only had a small pair that wouldn't likely hold up against 10 people, then I may just take my free card.

The reasoning behind betting into a large field of loose players after they have checked to you is as follows. First of all, their check usually means they don't have much. If they did have a monster hand then fine, you can fold later when they make their move. Most of the time it means they don't have anything. Next, you don't want to give any free cards to them. You may very well have a better hand then them. They may just have a small pocket pair or a gutshot straight and they'll gladly give you another bet. Giving them a free card now with such a large pot at stake (5 callers preflop) would be a big mistake. You need to protect your hand.

Lastly, there is a good chance that they will call you with worse hands. This is kind of the same point as the one before but this brings up the issue of betting for value. Most of the time in poker you don't know for sure if you have the best hand. Having the "nuts" (the best possible hand) happens a lot but not enough. You'll usually have a decent but not great hand in those types of games. The looser the player is, the less you should assume they have until they tell you otherwise. You want to make money from them in these situations so just bet then reevaluate later.

This brings me up to my next point, you want to be also aware of overcards or other things hitting in those games. Most people aren't very tricky in low limit games so if they catch something they come out betting. This is the time where you can save some money and throw your hand away (assuming you don't think he is bluffing). For example, let's say you have A9 and the flop is Q94. Everyone checks and you bet. They all call. Now the turn card is another 4 or maybe a K. Now someone bets out.

This is a good time to reevaluate your middle pair and muck it. Let's say everyone checked to you again after the 4 or K, I would bet it again. If I got raised, no problem I fold. If they just all call then I may check the river. That's the power of position. So pay attention, remain aggressive and don't get married to marginal hands when the signs tell you that you are beat. You should be able to make some money with those middle pairs.

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