Raising PPs preflop

[echinos]

I've seen a lot of advice saying that most pocket pairs (in both SSNL and SSLH) should be raised preflop. I generally raise with TT+, but after that, I limp for set value. Below TT, very often I end up folding on the flop or turn after an overcard or two shows up, so I don't see the point of raising, unless I'm doing it as an isolation play or something.

So, should I be open-raising with 88 from MP every time?

[lucky_mf]

In a game that is fairly passive pre-flop your strategy of limping is fine. It will, however, become problematic when there is a considerable degree of light position raising happening in the game.

Players position raising behind you are doing so with light holdings meaning that you don't have implied odds to draw at a set much of the time. Additionally, the are likely going to continuation bet a flop with overcards to your pair leaving you trying to play an underpair out of position or check folding. Neither of these options is all that attractive.

Lucky

[MMagicM]

I play 6 max and raise every pair from the CO or button. Even with overcards to your pair, it is more likely the flop missed your opponent than not and your C-Bet would be betting the best hand rather than a bluff. You could even bring a bigger pair than yours to fold, when you have 44 and your opponent 88 and the flop come KT3 or so. And, if you hit your set, there will already be more chips in the pot, making your likely payday even bigger. I still need to find out if this approach is +EV or not, but so far it works for me...

[RyverRat]

As you open your game in 6max you should be raising all PP preflop from any position imo.

[Mase31683]

With pp's I'll raise any pot that hasn't been raised up yet, regardless of number of limpers. I want to get paid if I hit my set and people are more willing to stick around in a raised pot than one they just limped into. Add to that the ability to c-bet the flop and take down pots with an ace or king on the board and it works nicely.

[RyverRat]

[ QUOTE ]
With pp's I'll raise any pot that hasn't been raised up yet, regardless of number of limpers. I want to get paid if I hit my set and people are more willing to stick around in a raised pot than one they just limped into. Add to that the ability to c-bet the flop and take down pots with an ace or king on the board and it works nicely.

[/ QUOTE ]

totally agree ^

[llleisure]

Also, if you always limp-call with 22-77 and then wind up jamming a pot you limp-called pre-flop your set tendencies become sort of transparent and it'll be harder to get your sets paid off because any thinking opponent is going to notice you limp-called and suddenly got interested on the flop.