[RobNottsUk]

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88 is a good hand if nobody re-raises you, but if you are re-raised, beware. In a multi-way pot, hope for a set otherwise fold as there are so many overcards that can beat you. Kxs is worthwhile playing only if you can get in cheaply.

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A pair of 8's is a good example to pick.

On a table, after many limpers, where blinds will call not re-raise, and 3-betting is unlikely a raise is profitable on value grounds, particularly if players are sensitive to pot odds post-flop. You want a set, and want ppl calling with hands that are drawing almost dead. Rather than seeing a cheap flop and then folding.

But on the net, the low stakes tables, I've played. Firstly, many players not pot odds sensitive, they called in unraised pots for 1 bet, when blinds bet. Secondly they are very likely to check to the raiser on the flop, so when you catch your set, you pick up fewer bets (the turn 'free' card rarely helps so is worth relatively little). Furthermore, poor players don't adjust their aggression levels in large pots, in fact the opposite may occur, where intimidated opponents try to see the river as cheap as possible. If an aggressive player is in early position they may check/raise to thin the field (when you want many callers). Finally maniacal tendencies to limp/re-raise with trash (especially against late position 'suspect' raises), cut down your implied odds and turn the hand Loose-Aggressive (favouring big cards).

A pair of 8's is a bad hand for 3 or 4 bet pots, you need implied odds (when you can't isolate a limper or blind defender), and raising pf cuts them down.

So despite what SSHE chart suggests, limping is probably more profitable in many games, and especially if there's a raise behind you, from someone who overvalues their own holdings, and tends to raise "damn limpers" on principal.

It doesn't matter that it's the "best hand" pre-flop, multi-way you're drawing to a set. You'll win a few less pots, but you'll be investing less at a marginal advantage, and getting money in when you have a big edge, later in the hand.