You once said that it’s hard to play with pocket queens and jacks. Well, I agree with you on that but I believe it’s even harder to play pocket 9s. Such hand has become overrated in Low Limit games. In heads up play it’s actually a good hand but not in Low Limit. Not to mention that it ranked as a top 20 and often top 15 starting hand.

When you flop a set during the 12% of the time you suppose to have a great chance of winning big however the problem is, I find it hard to let it go most especially when there’s only one overcard on the flop. On the better side, if the board comes with an Ace I can dump it easily as I know nobody folds an Ace in Low Limit, however when the board comes Q 7 2 or J 8 5, I find it hard to let it go again. Later part, I just end up losing although normally just a small one.

Now, do you think pocket 9s should be treated essentially the same as pocket 2-6? Basically if you don’t flop a set, check or fold the hand? Another thing, with 9s, does position matter significantly?

Hope to hear from you in no time.

Many thanks,
Andrew
Andrew,

Position matters with all hands. 9’s are a raising hand in late position. Personally, unless there are multiple overcards or I am against an opponent that I know flopped an overpair, I am going to probably call down to the river when only single bets are fired. Usually it is wrong to let go of a pair such as that when there is a lot of bets in the pot. Of course if there is only a bet or two in the pot, Ill probably let go of nines if there is even one overcard on the board since the pot isn’t laying the odds to call.

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I’m usually into trouble when in low limit I flop middle pair. For an instance 10 players, 4-5 have seen the flop and pot unraised pre-flop. I then bet with an overcard, from an early position, or if its checked around to me in a late position. I bet because I actually want others to fold or else raise. 2 or 3 players then appeared and I was not sure if they’re drawing as often they have top pair, weak kicker. Any advice on how I should play middle pair?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Skyler
Skyler,

In limit, middle pair is usually a hand that you are going to make check-calls with unless there is either very little money in the pot, or the player is one that you know has you beat. Such as you flopping middle pair and a rock of a player is betting the pot. In that spot, you can usually fold. In most cases, calling down is usually correct as you are getting the right price to call a bet in most cases.

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