Suited Connectors

I thought that I was ok at poker from playing the "friendly" games with the guys from work, building a play money stack etc...but the more I read, the dumber I feel. This may be a basic question, but I alway see people talking about playing suited connectors. Where do you draw the line, and what is the proper strategy? Do you limp with 8-10s or should it just be on hands like K-9?

K9= HORRIBLE HORRIBLE HORRIBLE


now that i got past that....

Generally, you would want to play suited connectors from good position (late position). Playing them out of position makes it much harder on you.

Also, you would like to not have to commit large portions of your stack before the flop with suited connectors, you want to see the flop as cheaply as possible.

But there are some advanced moves with suited connectors, these are just some basics.

I like to play more true suited connectors like 78,89,J10 and so on.They make a straight easier than the suited gappers like 79,8 10,9 J ect.The ones you have mentioned are more like suited 2 gappers including 69,7 10,8J and the rest.These have even less possibility of making a straight than the previous 2.

The K9 suited falls into another category yet I like to call "any 2 sooooted"Out of these the only one's I like to play are Ax suited.I'm playing for the nut flush or aces up with these.If only my ace hits I proceed with caution.

All of the above hands I play most of the time in position and with a few limpers(or a min. raise and limpers behind them) in the pot ahead of me then I will call and hope to hit the flop.Most of the time if I don't end up with a strong drawing hand like a 4 flush or an opened ended straight draw they will be tossed away to any reasonable bet against me.

The key is if you are going to play them,try to do so cheaply.Also try to be in position.This is how I play them anyway and I'm sure others may play them differently.I'm just saying this is the safest way I know of doing it.

Suited connextors are suited and connected. K9s is only suited, not connected and does not play as well. In fact, K9 is pretty much a mediocre hand. I suggest you check out Sklansky hand groupings for reasons why.

bad beat lose your seat

Well first off how much do you have on your bankroll and is it worth calling...can you afford it? what happens if you only catch a piece?do you continue do you bet what do you do...you need to read a book thats what I suggest

sgroitoy said:

Well first off how much do you have on your bankroll and is it worth calling...can you afford it? what happens if you only catch a piece?do you continue do you bet what do you do...you need to read a book thats what I suggest

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As for the bankroll, if you are sitting at a cash game with all of you BR facing a call with SCs, then firstly you shouldn't be at the table with 100% anyway, and secondly as people have said above, from late position you want to be seeing flops as cheaply as possible.

What do you mean by piece? If you mean a pair, then this is entirely situational (like most poker strategies, no never and no always). If you mean an OESD, or a FD then it is down to the action in front of you to decide whether or not you are getting the right odds on a call (look at AG's posthere for help (if you need it ))

I have heard the term "connectors" used for any 2 cards that streatch (can make a str8), but a IMO the better term is "gappers". K9s is a suited 3 gapper and pretty much unplayable from early position. It does have some value OTB or CO as a blind stealing hand as it's not a huge dog if you get called.

Recently it seems as though I've developed a reputation as being somewhat of a nit, but that comes from trying to adopt some of the playing styles of pro's like Chris Furgson and Ben Roberts. Neither of them are particularly high on playing SC's (the real kind, no gaps) from early position. The logic behind this is that SC's are not profitable raising hands and have the most value in multi-way pots. Since in most cases they would have to throw their hands away to an late position raise, they choose not to play them at all.

In addition, limping from EP with SC's gives too much information as to the nature of your hand. A late postion caller will believe (correctly) that he's safe to bet any 2 cards on a flop with a couple of high cards after you check.

So how about from late position like the CO or button? With SC's better than 56s, in a limped pot, go ahead and join the fun. If the pots been raised fold anything worse than JQs. If the pots still open raise 89s or better.

Still, if you track your HH's I think you'll find that even with optimal play, SC's from any position are at best a break even proposition. I still recommend playing them under the right conditions. The few extra hands you play will allow you to get more action when you do have a real hand.

Nice post, FD. And I like your rationale. I find that suited connectors are rarely profitable for me, and out of position, or against a pre-flop raise, they're hardly worth the trouble. But I will echo what has already been said: if I can get in late position in a multi-way pot for cheap, I'm there. Just be ready to ditch your hand if the flop doesn't help you.

I have good luck and bad luck playing suited connectors just like middle pocket pair. I always play them with care but if you get lucky you can rack in a big pot.

juiceeQ said:

Nice post, FD. And I like your rationale. I find that suited connectors are rarely profitable for me, and out of position, or against a pre-flop raise, they're hardly worth the trouble. But I will echo what has already been said: if I can get in late position in a multi-way pot for cheap, I'm there. Just be ready to ditch your hand if the flop doesn't help you.

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ALERT THE MOD POLICE !!!!

JQ has posted in a strategy thread!!!!!

lol. I think her password must have been stolen. But I can't imagine who it might be as they agreed with me. Obv someone who knows nothing about poker.

i aggree sooted connectors play well in a multiway pot but you want to get in cheap because even JT(the best drawing hand) is only a J high if you miss the flop. i suggest you read roy rounders e mails he made me promise as a new years resolution NOT to play K9

dj11 said:

ALERT THE MOD POLICE !!!!

JQ has posted in a strategy thread!!!!!

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Four Dogs said:

lol. I think her password must have been stolen. But I can't imagine who it might be as they agreed with me. Obv someone who knows nothing about poker.

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I think you guys are trying to tell me something?

I like playing suited connectors more than a small pocket pair. I mostly get lucky and hit a straight but sometimes i i get a straight draw, keep betting and nothing comes......

Well firstly suited CONNECTORS are 9-10s 6-7s not 8-10s thats called a one gapper. Anyways, I love playing these sort of hands, both when the blinds are low early on in tournaments and when I got a big stack in the later stages, I will limp and even call raises with them. Especially hands like 9-10 and J-10 suited,. they can be so profitable.

The thing with them is,don't play them out of position, and when you hit what seems to be a strong hand, like top pair you NEED to be aware that you CAN be beaten. Your kicker may not be great etc, and you need to be able to fold 2 pair as well when you play these sort of hands.

Well first off 8-10s are not connected. lol unless you are talking about seating. Well if that is the case then late positions are where you want to limp with these beauties. I find the more people in front of me that go in the better me situation gets. Have to believe they are holding paint and pairs, Thus limiting there drawing potential. Which makes the suited connectors a very deadly weapon. But basically only in late position untill you get a good read of everyone at the table. Then you might be able to open to mid positions. I personally love the j10os.