The Power of Mid and Low Pocket Pairs
Last week i talked about the difference between trips and a set, and this week i’ll continue that train of thought with going over how powerful a mid (or low) pocket pair can be.
Let’s look at it this way. If you’re holding pocket 66′s in early position, and the flop comes 9, J, K It’s a very easy flop to fold. You’re able to lead out, (or check, but it’s not recommended) and get a lot of information from your opponents. It’s the type of hand that if your opponent calls your hand, you can be sure they have you beat and fold the hand after the turn.
If you hit however, you have a very disguised hand that can do a lot of damage. The risk-reward ratio is huge with this type of hand.
Compare pocket 66′s with pocket QQ’s and the same flop. You would be much less inclined to fold even with the king out on the flop, and would likely commit much more money to the pot, both preflop and postflop (because the pot is bigger).
The difference is largely this. With pocket 66′s, you know you have to hit, and know that if you don’t improve it’s a throwaway hand. There is little danger of you “marrying” the hand, and it is much more likely that if you hit, you hit big. With QQ’s, (or JJ or 1010), you immediately love the hand. Feel that it’s a made hand, and that no one out there can beat you. You play more recklessly, and often miss big clues that you’re behind. Even if you are right and the person didn’t hit the king, the king is out there making them afraid you’ve hit it, and your pay off is minimized.
With low to mid pocket pairs your postflop decisions can be simplified and your odds of getting much bigger pay-offs are improved greatly (if you hit!!)
