Playing Small Pocket Pairs Pre-Flop

[Nikita]

Personally, I only play small pokets in late position and I raise 3XBB when I have them in that position. This usually clears the field of less than average hands and I get to act last. If after the flop everyone checks before me, I play aggressive and bet around half the pot. Then I watch how everyone reacts. Sometimes everyone folds, sometimes they don't, but I find if everyone keeps checking to me on the turn and river, I'm the only one whose got a made pair. My goal here is to not go to showdown because they can easily be beat.

If I'm SB or BB, then I call to see the flop cheap (I'm might call a small raise, depending on the odds). I don't like playing those pockets in first position because it's hard to get a read on if they are holding up or not.