The game I play in is 2,5 Pot Limit Hold 'em but the play isn't much different than No Limit.

If I have 77,88,99,10-10,J-J, I call in early and middle position. I may raise in late position.

Money flows clock-wise in Hold 'em. You want to select a seat with predictability on your left and unpredictability on your right. Who do you want position on? Sometimes that's a problem. Usually you want position on the live ones, the producer. I play with a couple of real expert players and I want position on them. Unpredictability and expert play scare me like an ax handle scares a possum. Position means a little less against weaker players.

If you catch a seat with two rocks behind you, then you can "play their button", opening up your game, raising in the last three positions. Here if no one else had raised, I would raise with any mid-pair as much as the pot would stand hoping to get it down to two or one other player.

If I get two callers, I put them on A,K,Q between them. They may be on K,10, A,3 etc. If the flop does not have any of those three highest cards, I may play JJ and 77 the same, with a strong follow up bet if it is checked to me. Say the flop is J 8 2 rainbow and I had 77. If they check it to me, I am going to put them on unpaired big cards and bet a little over half the pot trying to win it right there. Sometimes you will drive off second button which has you beat. If I get a call I put the brakes on. I am betting it for the best hand.

The key to this is to put them on A,K,Q between them. This play and follow through have what you call positive EV. It works enough you can be watching for it.

Phil Hellmuth in his books advocated playing any wired pair fast. I think he is wrong. Usually I just want to see the flop. Only in late position do I come alive with them.

What do you think of that AKQ situation? I often put one opponent on that if he is a single raiser and I have position. If he misses, he is dead stinking fish. I put him on AK, AQ, or K,Q, but only to begin with. I am most afraid of an Ace, next a K because the suckers get one big card or suited cards, they go.

If you put them on AKQ, what does their action have to look like for you to start thinking "set"?