In modern society having a small pair is something that pop-culture says can be dealt with using either some potent self-esteem building exercises or a really good plastic surgeon. In the sport of poker a small pair can be just as vexing as it can in the world dominated by much more prodigious and occasionally augmented pairs.
The temptation with any pair is to drive as many people out of the hand and leave your cards facing as little competition as possible. This is especially true for people who are sitting in a late position. The problem is that small pairs are extremely vulnerable.
For example, let's say you have been dealt a pair of 4s. There is nothing horribly wrong with this hand: a small pair beats the heck out of no pair in a lot of cases, but your pair is more vulnerable to the flop than a high pair.
If the flop is Q-3-10, and anybody at the table has a single Queen or 10, your hand is suddenly beat. Any money you put in the pot before the flop is more than likely lost.
With a small pair you want to limp in and see the next cards as cheaply as humanly possible. If somebody starts playing like a maniac, your best bet is to fold. Luck may occasionally favor the humble pair, but they need a lot more of it than a pair of Aces.
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