Strategy Question

[Joujou113]

"What do you think about playing small pocket pairs early in a tournament? Is it better to raise or just set mine?

 

[dannystanks]

You can play them anytime in a tournament. Raising has its advantages no matter what hands you play, not just pocket pairs.

 

[amonlima]

Before thinking about how you should play low pairs, you have to know what range you open from positions, and which ones you should play flat/3bet. In general, you will always play small pairs to make a set, however, you have to know when it is good to play, because playing flat with low pairs with 20bbs less is bad.

 

[Roller]

Playing small pocket pairs early in a tournament is one of those spots where it really depends on stack sizes, position, and table dynamics.
If stacks are deep, set mining makes sense—you’re getting good implied odds, and when you hit, you can win a big pot.
Just be disciplined enough to fold when you miss.