Small/Mid pairs help please

[Graham C]

Been playing the $50k on Stars and I've been going deep but not quite made the money.  I'm fairly happy at this level but am struggling with what to do with small/mid pairs late on.  Trouble is that I'm not really chipped up at this stage (blinds circa 300/600 onwards).  Do I push all in or fold and wait for something better?

Just a bit unsure as I'm not really used to playing $50's regularly.  In a cheaper buy in, I'd just push like every other monkey seems to, but is it appropriate here?  Talking both first in the pot and also with a caller or two.  Trouble with calling is that if you don't hit trips, you're really out of the hand I suppose.

Ta, will be using any helpful advise tonight

Maybe I'll have a quick read of Harrington before hand

[GlasgowBandit]

If I can get into the pot on the cheap my rational is to call b more often than not but no set set no bet on the flop.  IfI have position and I think my opponent will pass to a raise then I am definately raising.

if its 88 - TT I may push in position depending what action there was before me. 

[boldie]

With small pairs a lot depends on your table image and the sort of table you're on.
If everyone is tight and you find yourself in decent position you can raise with them. I tend to just limp with them hoping to catch a set but not if the table has one that has been folding to just about any raise.

It ofcourse also depends on how many chips you have. I you find yourself close to 10BB's it''s the easiest push in the world with a small pp but if you find yourself with a decent stack you should play the table more than you play your cards.

[kinboshi]

The difficult time for small PPs is when you have a medium stack and don't want to end up donking off a lot of chips with a sub-standard hand, so position and who else is in the pot is important.  Other than a flopped set - what other flop are you going to be happy seeing when someone bets into it?  Same with suited connectors.

When you're short-stacked, it's far easier like Boldie said.

Be interesting to see what others have to say on this.

In cash games, I love small PPs.  No set no bet, but when you hit - you can hit very hard.