Set Mining
Set mining is calling a raise before the flop with a pocket pair, only to hit a set. If the flop does not give you a third card of your rank, you give up the hand.
The simple explanation
A pocket pair becomes a set only about once in eight times. You call because when it does, you can win a very large pot, since opponents do not see the set coming. The rest of the time, you fold and lose only the cost of the call.
A closer look
Set mining works only if the price is right. A common rule is that you need stacks of about 15 to 20 times the raise, so that the profit when you hit covers the many times you miss. It is better in position and against opponents who pay off a lot. It is not recommended against short stacks or very large raises. Pairs that are high, such as queens, are not usually set mined; they are raised or reraised for value.
A practical example
A player raises to 6, and you call with 2♣ 2♥ to hope for a third deuce. That is set mining.
Full explanation
Set mining is calling a raise before the flop with a pocket pair, only to hit a set. If the flop does not give you a third card of your rank, you give up the hand.
Set mining means calling with a small pair to hit a set.
You hit about one time in eight.
It needs deep stacks and a cheap price.
If you miss, you usually fold.
Alternative spelling: set-mining, setmining
Set mining
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of clubs (Kc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 22 of clubs (2c)22 of hearts (2h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of clubs (Kc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 22 of clubs (2c)22 of hearts (2h) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls with a pair of deuces. He is set mining: he plays the hand to hit a third deuce, which is a set.
- Player A BTN / SB KKing of clubs (Kc)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 22 of clubs (2c)22 of hearts (2h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.