Pocket pairs and set mining

Small pairs (22–66) often play to flop a set. Rough guide: you flop a set about 1 in 8 times. That means you need implied odds — deep stacks and opponents who pay off — or you're lighting money on fire.

If stacks are 20–30bb effective, set-mining small pairs gets worse. If stacks are 100bb+ and someone loves stacking off light, set-mining gets better.

Don't call huge 3-bets with 44 just because 'it's a pair.' Pair ≠ automatic continue.

Counter-example: same 33, but effective stacks are $40 after a $6 open. Implied odds collapse. Prefer fold or occasionally 3-bet/jam plans — not passive set-mining.