Middle pocket pairs...
I'm new to this game (coming from NLHE-only background). I'm trying to get a sense of the game and starting hand strengths and weaknesses. I'm a little confused on middle pocket-pair type hands (99xx, 88xx, etc.).
First, I do understand that you want not just the pair itself, like 99 or 88, but two additional cards that go well with it. So you want the pair itself, 3-4 connected or semi-connected cards, and preferably a suit. I don't know the exact requirement here, but I get the idea. So just to be clear, I'm not talking about playing middle pocket pairs combined with total junk (like 9962 rainbow or 88K4 single suited). Rather, I am talking about middle pairs that have some connectedness and suitedness to bolster the pair itself. What exactly that looks like, I am still trying to learn.
So my questions.
Is it part of the meta in a full-ring game that these can be played in later positions or closed as last action-like situations? Or, if you want to adopt a "very" tight range --- meaning not full-blown OMC but somewhere within the vicinity --- that these hands should just be avoided because inevitably they could be dominated by slow played hands or become drawing hands at best?
I really don't want to make it a habit to play these hands if they are simply not clear and direct +EV situations. In other words, if it is a borderline issue, then I can try to take the approach of passing on them in 95% of cases.
Thoughts, please.
2 Replies
You want more playability in PLO than NL holdem. Main sources are nutty features in hand and position when stacks are deeper.
Mid to small pair plus rundown class inherently suffer mw. They make middling sets and middling flushes. It's tough to generate ev from these hands mw as you'll make significant ftop mistakes. They can make good playable straights, so look for best connectivity until you're able to navigate better. Position adds playability as stacks are deeper. Those will be your "clear and direct" spots. Raise after a few limpers from HJ/CO if you'll often end up in position. If you won't, don't. If youre paying high rake and can't buy the button and are still figuring out postflop, folding after limpers may be better than limping. Fine to close action provided your postflop play is attuned to PLO rather than NL. But that's not clear nor direct for now.
This can change with the degree of mistakes you opponents make postflop. Whales cure a lot of preflop sins. Good luck.
Multiway we fold them. They aren't worth much in a live dynamic. The lower the pocket pair the more connectivity you need. I'd stick to only having the pocket pairs that come with nutted components when you start dropping below a T. So hands like A998, A776, KK77, A554, etc.
