What was the right size bet here? I had not seen a big pocket pair all day and got a little excited. I figured that I needed to bet at more than the pot. I guess that I am only going to get called by AA.

PokerStars No-Limit Hold'em, $2 BB (9 handed)

BB ($258.85)
UTG ($216.60)
UTG+1 ($200)
MP1 ($196.95)
MP2 ($209.10)
MP3 ($97.30)
Hero ($52.20)
Button ($69)
SB ($263.65)

Preflop: Hero is CO with , .
2 folds, MP1 raises to $6, 1 fold, MP3 calls $6, Hero raises to $30, 3 folds, MP1 folds, MP3 folds.

Final Pot: $45

Do you really only have $52? if so, Im all in.

With a short stack like that you'll be committed no matter what. Might as well just push. You'll get calls from JJ+ and AK/AQ if there's an average muppet level at the table. What you REALLY need to do is reload. If you were at a full buy-in the raise would be fine. Always try to get at least 10% (preferablt 100% ) of your stack in the pot preflop with AA/KK, since then you're making it unprofitable for people to chase their sets.

I had just lost the previous hand and did not reload fast enough. I was planning to have all my chips in if I got a caller but they all folded.

Iceman I thougt of pushing all-in short stacked but I did want some action from worse hands.

Thanks - food for thought.

I think you get *more* action if you raise all-in preflop with a short stack. It's a move that looks like it doesn't want a call.

Good point - thanks