Playing Pocket Pairs in Position

If you have been playing No Limit Holdem for a while you will know how vital pocket pairs are. But to truly get the most out of it, you must consider your position on the table as well. The factors that will come to play, of course, will depend on the pocket pairs involved.

If you are holding any of the premium pairs (i.e., AA-JJ), you can pretty much play them hard almost anytime in a No Limit game, unless the table is very tight, wherefore you will try to limit your aggressive plays to QQs and above. However, with other pocket pairs, from the high ones (TT-88) to the mid and low ones (77 down to 22s), you will have to factor in your position, among other things.

If you are playing No Limit in a loose game, then you can, from late position, bet and raise with pocket 66s upwards. If you are in the middle, you can limp or raise, depending on how the other players before you acted, whether they checked or called.

However, this No Limit strategy cannot be used when you are first to act. Even if you are holding pocket tens, betting big might get you into trouble as someone could issue a raise, a re raise or even go all in. Without at least JJ under the gun, you should fold.

On a tight table, your No Limit strategy for pocket pairs should be more selective; from middle position you should only play pocket 77s, or higher. You should fold immediately if someone makes a raise. If you are on the button though, you can make a bet with this hand, although there is always a risk that someone could holding something higher.

If you are playing a No Limit tourney, then the position you are in becomes even more important. As a rule, you should only play premiums in the early tables; regardless of what you position you are in, you should fold the other pocket pairs, as there are too many loose cannons around.

The ideal time to play them is when you are in the middle stages of the tourney, and you are in middle to late position. Here you can play with more No Limit pocket pairs, from medium to high, as most of the players will be too tight and focused on reaching the bubble.

In No Limit Holdem, holding pocket pairs is key. Learning to utilize them from whatever position you are in is an even greater weapon. Take the time to analyze and scrutinize your position, and you will reward yourself with big money victories.