Un-suited connectors

This thread is targeted at 5NL/ microstakes. At 5NL 6max in late position should I be playing a good amount of unsuited connectors, usually im folding all of them below QJ? I see a lot of people playing any US connectors and their straights will often bust a lot of players who cant let go of top pair, over pairs and sets for example. And when betting in late position with gutshots or open-ended, fold equity can be good too.

From UTG+1 it could be good to fold the lower-middle connectors, but any other position just seeing a flop with them seems reasonable?

Or is this idea too loose? What are your thoughts?

depends on if you are the PFR or just calling.

being suited only adds around 2-3% equity. so you should be fine to play them in late position.

but make sure you are not getting too crazy with them post flop.

Says you can't flat with them profitably.... so 3-bet is ur best option if your not opening it.

Rushhhh

I think most of the time i will fold unsuited connectors even in position because i don't want to bleed away chips. But if i am in the big blind and get very good odds then thats when i call with them and see a flop.

I think the drawback of playing low connectors is that if you flop a pair, you might call to see another card, If you flop a gutshot you still probably call, if you flop open enders den you definitely call/bet flop. In all these scenarios you are paying more chips. But the drawback most of the times is even if you improve your hand you still have a good chance of having the second best hand.

For instance you flop a pair and turn/river two pair. Still opponent might might have improved to higher two pair.(Hence we lose more chips)

Other scenario is flopping draws and chasing them and bleeding more chips.

Another scenario is hitting a straight but having the bottom end of it. For eg, you call with 67. Flop has 8 9 x. You chase and might hit a straight but you might well lose because two higher straights beat you - 7 10 and 10 Jack. But we barely fold straights so we lose again. (most of our chips here)

And then of course there are some other rare but possible instance where if we hat two pair but lose to a set. (45 vs 44, 78 vs 77 etc).

Last but not least is Getting Counterfeited - Call with such cards and the opponent cannot fold over pair or simply top pair top kicker. And our two pair becomes a too trash.

If you want to enjoy having the opportunity to face such nerve wracking, mind blowing, tilt inducing scenarios then go ahead - have some adrenaline rush.

Suby I think you're right. We might catch someone out every once in a while but if we only make a pair we can get in a lot of trouble. Fold equity tends to be low at 5NL too, so probably best to just stay tighter.

Generally the greater your edge on the games you sit in, the more hands you can profitably play. (It can be debated, but here I doubt it.) With something like PT or HEM and a good sized db you can see exactly which hands are making you money and which hands are losing you money.

I think you'll find as you develop as a player and build/tweak your preflop ranges by position that you won't find good reason to include such hands vs players of similar skill especially if you're talking about flatting. You never say never when it comes to poker and certainly there will be 3betting spots or opening OTB for example where any two cards will be profitable in a vacuum, but by and large you'll find enough hand combinations to fill out your ranges just sticking with suited hands, high cards, pocket pairs, etc that you really don't need to try and get cute with shit like 65o.

Just look tot what people bet if it is a low connector you dont want to follow on triple the pot raises if normal I think am your stack is regular you can just bet not raise or wathever just follow the flop will let ya decide to trow them away or not .

It's kind of a chicken and egg situation. You should be playing them if / when it's profitable to do so, but in order to be able to identify those situations and to adjust your play so you are profitable when you play them, you first have to play them before you have the knowledge to do so profitably.

You should be opening the btn around 60% therefore that will include non suited 1 gappers and hands like Q3 suited etc...
When oop if you can not profitably call with these hands therefore you you should be either be 3betting or folding.
It all depends on opponents and table dynamic.
For 5nl just play simple aggressive position poker and you will win.
Simples

Aces2w1n said:

Says you can't flat with them profitably.... so 3-bet is ur best option if your not opening it.

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Shouldn't you be trying to see cheaps flops with the hand? Being the PFR forces you to play aggressively post with a hand you should be check-folding when missed.

I sometimes can't ressist playing those from LP or the blinds in multiway pots where I can get good odds. You want to flop a 2pair or a straight/draw with the hand, but don't get crazy with your 2 pairs and lower-end straights as you can get outdrawn easily.

If your opening the hand, it's always nice to have the chance to end the hand right there and then. Some people fold a lot to 3bets as well, you need to keep an eye on them. (table image is important)

Having the pot little to nothing will get you no money if you do get a very strong flop. Sometimes weak players may feel obliged to play on altho we are sitting with 2 pair or straight with their overcards.

Position is crucial and knowing your opponents is quite handy. The right opponents play that tight you will exactly know where your hand is, so it's easy to play especially in position.

SwiftHax said:

Shouldn't you be trying to see cheaps flops with the hand? Being the PFR forces you to play aggressively post with a hand you should be check-folding when missed.

I sometimes can't ressist playing those from LP or the blinds in multiway pots where I can get good odds. You want to flop a 2pair or a straight/draw with the hand, but don't get crazy with your 2 pairs and lower-end straights as you can get outdrawn easily.

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I think with unsuited hands it's just for taking on Nits who fold too much. You just want fold equity. Hitting a straight is just gravy.

I don't raise with unsuited connectors vs fish, they seem like losing hands vs them so far since they can catch a top pair no kicker and don't let go.

RodneyC86 said:

I think with unsuited hands it's just for taking on Nits who fold too much. You just want fold equity. Hitting a straight is just gravy.

I don't raise with unsuited connectors vs fish, they seem like losing hands vs them so far since they can catch a top pair no kicker and don't let go.

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Yes people with a high % of folding to cbets and turn/river we can exploit.

We can still take out the fish with these hands but we normally have to make the hand and them being fish will pay us off.

The nits won't pay us off but it should be no fuss on the flop/turn unless they have a decent PP.

Avoid people who like to double barrel since it'll cost you more to see if they slow down.

I like to play them in large pots when I am last to act, lots of action before me, and there is a maniac already in the pot. It can pay off very big if I hit.

I almost never play US connectors unless they are KQ or AK. I tend to see that playing for the straight is kind of a long shot, so if I'm playing for it, I like to have the flush draw as well, shooting for one or the other.