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What to do with the Middle Pocket Pair  By: TMoney   tmoney@pockettwos.com 

        The middle pocket pairs (77, 88, 99, 1010, JJ) are some of the most difficult hands to play in poker.  Unlike the low pocket pair, which can usually be played only one way(make a set or fold), the middle pocket pair can be played a few different ways, all capable of winning pots.  Therefore, knowing how to correctly play your hand in a given situation is critical to winning over time and increasing your bankroll.  I too often see amateur players misplay the middle pocket pair before the flop, thus minimizing there chances of winning the hand. By making an incorrect decision before the flop they get themselves caught in a bad situation later in the hand.  It is important to note that 77 and JJ are two very different hands, but the following information can be useful when playing both. I am going to give you a step by step method that evaluates the most profitable way to play your middle pocket pairs in different situations. 

When to Fold’em before the flop

        Now I now how nice it can be to look down and see a middle pocket pair, but use common sense.  If you have strong reason to believe you are up against a higher pair (AA, KK, QQ), do NOT be afraid to give the hand up!  I am aware it is not easy to put your opponent on a correct hand, but if he or she is betting hard in early position or making large raises, it is not worth it to go into heads up battle!  Going into a heads up battle against a raiser with pocket nines for example means you pretty much have to hit a 9 to be sure your hand is good.  Therefore, you are getting terrible pot odds by calling a raise when there are less than 3 people in the hand.   For one, you are most likely beat already, and even if your opponent only had AJ or KQ, you still did no harm by folding, as you were still in a coin flip situation!  By calling a raise you risk: a) seeing a flop containing over cards, in which you must fold and b.) seeing a flop with all unders and betting out, only to find out in the end that you were up against a higher pocket pair.  Over time, these mistakes will put a hit in your bankroll.  Don’t make playing middle pairs any harder than they already are! 

When to Raise before the flop

        I want to start this section by saying that the Biggest mistake I see most players make with middle pocket pairs is automatically raising pre-flop when they are out of position.  Most players have this mindset of seeing hands like 99 or 1010 and automatically raising because they are pocket pairs.  In reality, however, the purpose of raising with middle pocket pairs should be to reduce the field size. One situation where it is correct to raise with a hand like 99 is in middle position when there have been one or no callers.  By doing this you figure that you have already negotiated half the hands and are trying to limit the amount of callers in front of you.  Similarly, in late position, make a raise around 3 times the big blind assuming there have been one or no callers.  Again the goal is to limit the number of players in the hand to 2 or 3, including yourself.  Thus, if you are ever in a situation pre flop where a raise will make it heads up, go ahead and do it.  If 3 people still go to the flop, be very careful about betting.

 When to Call before the flop 

         I have found it more difficult, when calling pre flop, to win the pot without a set.  I am not saying is isn’t possible by any means, but people have no reason to put you on a big hand, so if you raise on the flop people will be less likely to respect your raise.  On that same note however, if you do make a set, you have perfectly disguised your hand, so if someone makes top pair, they have no reason to think they are not good (and in doing so will pay you off). Also, by just calling pre flop you are able to get good, free information on the flop about your opponents hand strength.  In an un-raised pre flop hand, a person who makes top pair on the flop will most likely come out and bet, and in doing so give away there hand.  When this happens you make an easy fold.  However, if you had raised pre flop, that same person who made top pair will most likely check/call you down, and your attempts to buy the pot may be cracked.

        To end, you should have noticed from this article that middle pocket pairs are, most of the time, won or lost before the flop.  By raising to thin the field, you have established yourself as the aggressor and have represented a strong hand, thus causing your opponents to most likely fold on the flop if they have missed.  Or, when you spike your set, your opponents can do whatever they please. Just remember to protect your hand from draws (straights, flushes, etc).  On the other hand, by missing a raise pre flop that could have won you the pot, you stand little chance of winning the pot later unless you make a set.  So, by knowing when to raise, call, or fold your pocket pair will make you successful in the long run!