Introduction
Cards like 66, 22, and other small pocket pairs can be challenging yet interesting. Despite the cards being less profitable unless you form a sold hand, you can still win if you play them correctly. If you are stuck with low/small pocket pairs and don’t know how to play them, this article is for you.
Read and learn how to play 66-22 preflop and the importance of position while playing these cards.
Objective
The goal of playing 66 and 22 is to make a three-of-a-kind of other higher-ranking hands on the flop and minimise losses when the board is not in your favour.
How to Play 66-22 Preflop
Low/Small Pocket pairs, including 22,33,44,55,66, are the toughest hands to play and fold in online poker. The rules of poker don’t mention anything about getting married to them just because you were given pairs as your starting poker hands. But most poker pros will tell you to fold these hands, especially when you are not in position.
Playing Pocket 66
- Understand the game first. If the game is passive, consider folding or limping, as raising due to an overcard on the flop will be risky.
- You can raise a bit if you are playing from the middle position, but be prepared to fold when the game gets aggressive.
- If you are playing from the late position, you can open with a raise, which will pressure the binds. If the opponent raises, calling is okay for set mining.
Always look at the community card, observe your opponents and then be ready to change or adjust your strategies.
Playing Pocket Deuces (22)
Here again, the strategy changes based on the position you are playing from:
- If you are playing from an early position, you should fold. If the game is passive, you can consider limping.
- If you are playing from the middle position, you should avoid raising. You can raise if the table is tight.
- Lastly, if you are in a late position, raise or call, hoping you might hit a set. If you hit the set post-flop, bet; otherwise, fold.
The Position is Most Important.
Your position is of utmost importance when faced with small pocket pairs. Simply call the blinds if in mid or late position. Never raise these cards, as they will only get you in trouble. These cards are famous for landing the novice in a lot of trouble.
Low-pocket pairs are very low on strength and only gain it if they hit a set in the flop. Thus, aggression is never advisable for these small cards. Most of the time, you will see over-cards in the flop, killing your small pair and thus guaranteeing a fold. The odds of flopping a set with your small pair are 7 to 1, which isn’t great. So play these small cards cautiously and decide your options after seeing the flop.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you play 66 poker?
To play 66 poker, you must understand the table position and change your strategies based on the position you are playing from.
Conclusion
This is it; no more feeling stuck or getting scared when you are dealt a small or low-pocket pair. Understand the game, learn the importance of position, and adjust your strategy accordingly.
Pocket 66 and 22 are profitable if played strategically. Know when to Fold and when to raise, and you are good to go.