How do you calculate the risk and potential reward of playing medium-sized pairs?

[Mike_25]

When playing medium pairs like 8s or 9s, calculate the risk first. Only 3 cards out of the 49 left can make a higher pair. But many cards like 10s or face cards make 2 pair or a higher one pair hand. So the risk is high someone gets a better hand. The reward if no one has a higher pair is the pot. But based on the risk from the cards left, often the reward may not be worth the risk of folding.