Pocket pairs are very powerful, yet sometimes very confusing for poker players, especially when it comes to pocket jacks and lower. That’s why it’s important to get your knowledge sorted and improve your poker decision-making process. Of all the hands that have been played, roughly 70% were on stacks lower than 30 big blinds. That’s why today’s blog covers topics related to a 25 BB depth.
‘All-in’ is not always the answer in poker strategy
Despite having 25 big blinds, going all-in with high or middle pocket pairs is not always the best preflop strategy when playing from the Big Blind. Poker Academy’s Preflop Tool provides information on almost every scenario you can imagine and helps you master poker fundamentals.
In cash games, the dynamics can be different, and understanding the nuances of preflop strategy is crucial for long-term success.
Let’s look at Big Blind pocket pairs versus Early Position. As you can see, AA, KK, and QQ should always look for a raise. These hands aim to induce some calling or raising action since they can perform well post-flop against suited kings, queens, jacks, and tens that Early Position often holds in this situation. JJ and TT are almost mandatory all-ins, and you have mixing possibilities when it comes to pocket 9s.
There are some raising options with lower pairs, but if you want to keep it simple and clean, turn them into 100% calls. However, be aware of your opponent’s playstyle and stack sizes. If you find it too wide, you can consider some 3-bet calls with 88, 77, 66, and 55 to exploit their loose opens.
Closer positions = easier solutions with stack sizes
A poker solver can provide answers for every position, but we’ve focused on the Big Blind versus HJ open so you can see the significant difference compared to the Big Blind versus Early Position open—almost every pocket pair becomes an all-in. Mastering preflop strategies is essential for making informed decisions and improving your overall game. There are still raises with AA, KK, and QQ, and only one call with 22.
Playing against the Button is even simpler, as there are no calling situations. You can easily go all-in with pocket pairs from JJ through 22, and, as always, raise with pocket aces, kings, or queens. Analyzing the game tree can help you understand the expected value and equity of different actions, allowing you to optimize your strategy. Remember, studying ranges is a crucial part of improving in poker. If you’re wondering why you might be stuck at low stakes, we encourage you to read our article covering this topic.
Blind versus blind is totally different in poker fundamentals
You have to consider multiple scenarios when it comes to blind versus blind situations. First, what do you do when the Small Blind flats with a 25 BB stack? Pocket pairs from 66 and lower are typically supposed to go all-in. Pocket sevens and higher, on the other hand, are pure 3x raises. If your raise faces an all-in, it’s always a call, even in ICM situations, which you can easily compare to GTO ones. Understanding Nash equilibrium strategies can help you make optimal decisions in blind versus blind situations.
Next, we need to talk about pocket pairs in Big Blind versus a Small Blind 3x open. You can compare this chart to the previous one to notice significant changes in strategies for higher pocket pairs. There is a lot more calling because the Small Blind’s raising range is much stronger preflop than the Small Blind’s limping range, which often includes weaker hands. However, going all-in with pocket sixes and lower is still advisable.
Lastly, there’s nothing simpler than calling an all-in with a 25 BB effective stack from the Big Blind versus the Small Blind because you’re supposed to call with every pocket pair except deuces. Again, we remind you that this is a ChipEV scenario with no ICM implications, which could be very important in the late stages of tournaments. Using a postflop solver can further refine your strategy by providing insights into optimal play after the flop.