i am not the greatest,smartest or even close to being an expert poker player, but i would like to think i know a little about strategy and how to play it. my question is why do people in no limit cash games and tourneys go all in pre-flop with pockets 2's or 3's?(i'll give any other pocket pair the benefit of the doubt) are they hoping for a set or trying to steal the blinds and other bets? or do they not know better or(and this i hope not) do they think they have a great all in hand? just wondering everyones thoughts. thanks

Any pocket pair has a slight advantage over any other two non-paired cards (52-57% advantage). There are those of the school that pushing with two pair PF when you believe there will only be one caller is a good move. I am not of that school.

I would say that in a cash game, this is pure stupidity 99% of the time (I have done it against a maniac who was irritating me...damned if his J3o didn't beat the odds). In a tournament, there are situations where this is the right move. If I have a mega stack, I will occasionally push (and almost always call) with my small pair when there is only a small stack to worry about. If I am the small stack and soon to be blinded out...I PRAY FOR 22 or 33 so I can push allin!

Just my two cents worth,

CORYAN