Playing medium pairs pre-flop

Medium pairs are arguably the most difficult hands to play pre-flop, with the common saying "There are 3 ways to play jacks and they're all wrong."

I hope I can help out how to play these kind of disaster hands, and minimize the losses and maximise the profits.

Any input or discussion on this topic will be very helpful

If there is a raise pre-flop then stack sizes are probably the most essential thing in making your decision. Calling based on set value is simple, and as a general rule of thumb I say that the original raise has to represent 10% or less of the effective stack size.

If this requirement is met then I look further, exactly how big is the effective stack?

<10M - With this size of a stack you don't want to be calling, not with any hand actually. If the stack sizes behind are desperate or deep you want to avoid shoving, but with stacks of 15M and around then it is a good idea to shove these hands.

You will have enough fold equity to get rid of a lot of the coinflips and maybe a few hands that dominate you.

15M or about - This is a toughest stack to play. For example, if the blinds are 1/2 and you have a stack of 45, the pre-flop raise will be 6. Your 3bet will represent over a third of your stack and you will be committed to the hand. Your stack is also too large to be 3bet shoving, so it's usually best to fold, or make a smaller 3bet to isolate the pre-flop raiser.

>20M - This is where we get deep stacks, and you don't want to create big pots pre-flop with out monsters. So generally you want to control the pot and cold-call and play a flop.

These are seen as the basic way to play these kind of hands when facing a raise.

You should generally be opening the pot with a raise with these hands and not be too worried about taking the pot down. When you do connect then you are very likely to win a big pot as your hand will be disguised.

If your 3bet then the same situation occurs as before. Stack sizes play a huge part, but it's very rare that you'll find a spot to 4bet an opponent with a pair of tens or jacks.

If your on the blinds and are facing a late position raise, then any stack less then the required 10% rule then your in a tough spot, and these decisions come down to your opponents image and likely hand range.

Playing a pot out of position with an awkward stack is very difficult and i'd advocate folding against tight opponents. Against loose oppoenents it's ok to 3bet all-in as your ahead of his calling range.

I hope this helps to playing medium with a lot less trouble

Frog