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How to Play Pocket 6′s

Playing Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop is not necessarily a bad decision in Texas Hold’em. The appropriateness of playing Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop has everything to do with your current situation, and the type of opponents you are competing against.

It is not recommended to play Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop at a full table of 8 or more players. A short-handed table of 6 or less players presents a better opportunity, and heads-up even better still. When you have too many opponents to worry about, the odds are not in your favor since someone is likely to hit a good draw. Even if the Flop sets your sixes, a Straight or Flush will have you beaten. The less players at the table, the more potential Pocket Sixes have.

Basically, if you want to play Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop, you need to take one of three positions; make a cheap call to see what Flop has to offer, Semi-Bluff (large bet) to eliminate as many opponents as possible, or play heads-up against a single opponent.

Call/Bet Low to see the Flop
No matter what position you are seated in, yo can try making a cheap Call or Bet to see the Flop. If another players Raises, it may be wise to Fold out early and conserve your stack for a better hand. Otherwise, see if the Flop improves your holdings. If not, don’t expect the Turn or River to be any better. Unless it’s free to move on, fold.

Semi-Bluff
When sitting in late position, you have the option of the Semi-Bluff. We call this “Semi”, because Pocket Sixes isn’t exactly a junk hand. When you have a marginal hand, it is not considered a straight Bluff. The advantage here is that you will not be labeled a bluffer if you get called and don’t go on to win the hand.

A Semi-bluff requires a moderate to large Pre-Flop raise. The idea is to scare out all potential draw hands, and anyone else who isn’t confident enough in their hand to call it. If everyone folds, you scoop the current pot – that’s good. If only one player, or two at most, stay in the hand, you have a decent shot at improving if another six falls, or the board pairs. Be cautious about overbetting at this point, though. If the Flop doesn’t help you, you can further Bluff with a Scare Card on the board(Ace or King), or get out before your stack suffers.

Play Heads-Up
This is the best possible scenario for playing Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop. With only one opponent to contend with, virtually any pocket pair can take the hand. With only two players, it is not uncommon for high card to win the pot. Play your Pocket Sixes Pre-Flop and see if the board doesn’t improve your holdings. If you’ve played a few hands against this player already, you should have been able to read his ideal gaming style by now. If he’s a tight player, you can encourage a fold with a large bet. If he’s loose, be careful without improvement from the flop, but know that he’ll often move on with a junk hand. Keep the betting low and reel him in.

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