Advanced The Science of Set Mining: When To Play Small Pocket Pairs in Texas Hold’em URL has been copied successfully! Set mining small pocket pairs in Texas Hold’em requires several key components Set mining, or playing small pocket pairs with the hope of hitting a three-of-a-kind (a “set”) on the flop, is a popular strategy in Texas Hold’em. When done correctly, set mining can be a powerful tool for building a stack, but success hinges on careful calculation and knowing the right conditions for play. The basic idea of set mining is that players enter a hand with a small pocket pair, like 2s through 6s, and hope the flop will include another card of the same rank, giving them a hidden but strong hand. Statistically, the chance of flopping a set is roughly 12%, or about one in eight tries. This means it’s generally unwise to play every small pocket pair aggressively, as the odds are against hitting that set. Instead, players should look for specific situations where set mining becomes more profitable. The best time to attempt set mining is when stacks are deep. Ideally, the player’s stack should be at least 20 times the size of the initial call. This ratio allows for enough winnings to make up for the times when the set doesn’t come. The reason is simple: hitting a set usually makes a strong hand that can win big pots, so having a deep stack maximizes the potential payoff. Another key factor is the type of opponents in the hand. Set mining works best against aggressive or loose players who are likely to bet heavily with top pairs or overpairs. When you hit your set, these opponents might commit more chips, thinking they have the winning hand. It’s also worth considering position; being in a later position helps players control the size of the pot and see others’ actions before deciding.