Misplaying Low Pocket Pairs

By P0ker H0

For the beginning player, I would have to say the most common mistake is either in bet sizing or misplaying low pocket pairs. I can even remember what it felt like to get dealt 44 UTG, and not have any clue how to best play it. Know that I know folding is most likely the best option, although definitely not always. I’d like to share with you why.

Early in tournaments, I am never folding a low pocket pair in early position if it is an unopened pot. This is because in most tournaments you start with at least 100 big blinds, and you can always afford to see some flops and set mine, to try and win a big pot. What is tricky is late in tournaments with the same hand. Let’s say you are dealt 44 UTG, and you have 80k in chips at 1500 3000 blinds. The players in front of you all have 40k or less, and there are 5 of them. What do you do? Let’s say you open raise to 9k. Know there are 5 people in front of you , who if they re-shove all in, it’s not going to be a ton more to call, and you will more than likely force yourself to call with a pair, as you feel you are getting odds.

So honestly the best thing you can hope for is a fold from all players as you are essentially bluffing with 44. I try and just muck small pocket pairs in early position, in these situations, because I hate pricing myself to call short stack shoves in a situation where I am most likely racing at best. To be honest, someone who is shoving an early position raiser with little fold equity, almost certainly is ahead of 44, if not barely behind. For me, I have decided that raising Low pairs in early position, late in tournaments, just puts you spots where you are almost always unsure of your hand strength and how it matches up against your opponent.