[ElectricWaffles]

I'm probably not the best person to answer this because i've been known to play pairs like a donkey... however for what it's worth.

I think it essential comes down to who you're in a pot with, their stats and what have you. If you're building a big pot and you've got a tight guy behind you flat calling you along then exercise a bit of caution, for example. It's kind of hard to cover all the situations where you have a pair and I think knowing if you're good or not comes down to experiance and having a general feel for the situation. I suppose the poker cliche of "Big hands for big pots" is relevant too. A pair isn't ever the best possible hand so just exercise caution before you bet everything you've got at the table.