Suited Connectors

[christianu]

What do the more experienced poker players on here make of these hands? Are they over rated, under rated? Are they worth calling small raises with?

Personally in a 6 seater cash table I would much rather be calling with 7s 8s than with say K9, A rag and such hands. Id presume that was the general opinion but im not sure. Certainly different approach in tournaments but im concentrating on cash games.

Just looking for more information.

[Doc]

they are hands to see a cheap flop with. I'd agree they are better calling hands than K9, A-rag etc

But you have to be able to play the flop (and turn well) with these hands. If they make a pair it is dangerous as you are very vulnerable. If they make two pair, you're often scared of the straight. I generally like to have position with these or else flop a very strong hand/draw

[mrmuzeman]

Id call a small raise in certain positions with suited connectors. In particular I like 56s and 67s. If youre on the button and a few players have already called the raise thats a good spot.

Also if I think the player Im against has a big pair in the pocket I dont mind being out of position either. Say the button raised and I felt he had a big pair and im sitting out of position with 67s, I would probably call for a flop as long as the raise was only 3xBB.

If the flop doesnt hit your out of there of course but if the flop hits you with 2 pair, trips, flush, straight or open ended straight with flush draw then youve got a mighty sweet hand. I would lead right into the pre-flop raiser here, invariably he'd raise back, then youd push all in and hed call cos he felt committed. Youre implied odds are pretty huge here because you can take a whole stack away from a person with a big pair when a raggy type flop comes.

Leading into a raiser with a nice hand is one of the best ways of getting big pots in no limit imo. So many people check when they get a big hand against a raiser, then the raiser will bet and theyll check raise and give the raiser an opportunity to get away.

[moDtheGod]

They're the most overrated hand ever, thanks to the likes of Super System. I mean, 87d. You have 8 high. If you make a flush, there can be plenty of better flushes. If you make a pair, it's vulnerable. People misplay this hand so often.

The right way to do it is to take a cheap flop with loads of people limping (very important - it's pointless playing these types of hands against 1 or 2 opponents really). And you need to flop something pretty big. I'd be very happy with 2 pair and I'd love a straight or flush draw (prefer both!). Your one pair is no good, proceed with caution.

[Hippy Dave]

Everyone's going to be pissed off with me bring all these threads back, but what the heck, I'm in a posting mood.

I used to be an absolute raising machine with suited connectors, even re-raising, and sometimes 3 raising. Great when you're deepstacked and hit hard, but in the longterm a strategy destined to lead to the poorhouse.

I still like playing but

a) I will only raise if no-one else has entered the pot and I'm in late position.

b) I try to avoid 23, 34, 45 (too low) and 9T, TJ (good chance of being dominated).

c) I'm fucking careful about chasing a draw if the board pairs.

d) If the board comes A67 and you're holding 67 bet it hard.

PS if anyone needs inspiration for their poker career, take note of who started the thread, how little he knew (sorry chris) and how he now kicks butt at the poker tables.

[Hippy Dave]

Oh, and I can't stand A2 suited either, less straight possibilites, and it's just Ace-rag really .

[kompressaur]

Nah their good to read Dave and it's just good that we have them all in forums where people can still benefit from them. Ive just enjoyed all this so far.

They're the most overrated hand ever, thanks to the likes of Super System. I mean,

thats what i was think Mod (hello Mod! mod! ) I was gonna call Doyle Brunson a fish but thought better of it

I quite like J10 Dave. I belive its the 2 cards that give you the most nut straights. It not good for that reason?

[DAN DAN]

Great idea bringing these threads back dave, we have lots of nice new poker forums to fill up.

If you know of other good threads that are lingering away in archive that would be good in any of the sections please bring them back.

That goes for anyone else who knows of any other great lost posts.

[DAN DAN]

Are suited connectors as important in tourney play or are they just better for cash games?

[Hippy Dave]

I personally would only play suited connectors in a tournament if I could limp in in late position when the blinds are low. They're much more of a tool in cash games.

You've got to balance chip accumulation with survival in a tournament, whereas in a cash game you're always looking to be in a situation where your implied odds are massive, which makes suited connectors a vital tool.

IMO

[DAN DAN]

That's what I thought, just needed confirmation.

[christianu]

a) I will only raise if no-one else has entered the pot and I'm in late position.

b) I try to avoid 23, 34, 45 (too low) and 9T, TJ (good chance of being dominated).

c) I'm fucking careful about chasing a draw if the board pairs.

d) If the board comes A67 and you're holding 67 bet it hard.

1. For full ring, id agree only raise them in late position. 6 max i raise them in any position.

2. I would never avoid 910 or 10J, my biggest four winning suited connectors go in order AK-KQ-QJ-J10-109

Id definiteily advise raising suited connectors, on full ring id say only in mid-late position. 6 max in any position most likely.

They will probably be break-evenish or slightly profitable, nowhere near your 88+ and AJ+ hands but whats so important i think is to have them in your range of hands, so oppenents have a wide range of hands to put you on.

The game has evolved so much now, you cannot get away with a pfr % of 3-6 now and have a good winrate, everyone has software, is educated etc..