flopping over cards with pocket pair

[Jma]

Just wondering how you guys will play your pocket pair with there is an overcard if you are OPP or IP against two players?

For example, you raise to $15 in the SB with 10h10d, and 2 player calls you and the flop comes Q72 rainbow, how often would you cbet? Would you do anything differently if it is J72, K72 or A72 rainbow?

If you are in position with 1010 instead, and checks to you how often would you cbet?

• This topic was modified 7 years, 2 months ago by Jma.

[Ian McClellan]

I might be in the minority here, but I almost always C-Bet my pocket pairs OOP post flop, regardless of the unders/overs. If you show strength before the flop, I continue telling a story of strength post-flop. Sometimes you will get blown off your hand by a raise behind, but a lot of times people will respect that strength and muck.

In position, if it checks into me, I do the exact same thing. Continue the story of strength and see how the other react. I find that more people will call me when you c-bet in position, as they think I am just trying to ‘steal’ the pot from position – so they sometimes call with a middle-pair or third-pair, and you can mop up some pots from the non-believers, and can improve and have a VERY under-repped hand.

Cheers!

[Rheess]

I would cbet most of the time in this situation.

In position: I would cbet, even if the player hit their facecard, you have to question why they did not bet preflop (there is a minority of play that are tricky at the lower stakes). So if you cbet, one or both call, and then you make a hefty bet on the turn, more often one or both will have to fold unless they hit (if turn comes another facecard or A you will slow down). Them limping into the pot I would say these two player both have at least J10 offsuit, but your cbet can rep top, top and a hefty bet on the turn will more often than not have them fold, unless they hit.

Out of position, I would probably put a cbet on at a lower percentage or put a probe bet to control the bet size is probably another option. Your goal is to set up. A $12-15 bet may have them call, but you have to make your win on the turn.

[Jma]

Thanks everyone for their input, I have heard pros/cons for checking and betting OPP. One argument is that no better hand will call a Q72 flop unless it is top pair. Being OPP there isn’t much information if the opponent hits the Q either, if they check as well than another can come on the turn making 10,10 the third pair.

For me I will only Cbet OPP if there are 1-2 players on the flop, if they call I will not double barrel on the turn.

[Steven Young]

3+ players it is more tricky. If you are in pos in and it checks to you then raise almost 100% of the time. If you are say, first to act, then check calling or betting is fine. I’d lean more toward folding if 2 or move overs on the flop.

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