depends on position, stack sizes etc. Also game type, I'd be more opt to play them in a cash game (especially deep) than I would in an stt or tourney especially once the blinds are getting up there.
Any specific scenario you would be thinking on regarding if you should be playing the suited connectors?
Very well written, I agree with you completely,Suited connectors are what i call 'popular' hands, meaning that very many cards in the deck have a chance of beings useful. Let's look....
45s through J10s: =
11 suited, + ((3 below, 2 matches, or 3 above =8) x3 =24) =35 cards...
That's right 35/50 cards that might be useful.....preflop.
Now, certainly, you need to be ready to fold ANY hand that is not lining up right, but the 'popularity' of these hands are why some folks really like them. I do kinda like the lower ones mostly in late position or blinds, and with a lot of limpers they can be nice when they hit hard at 13:1 pot odds. The implied odds on such a hand can be quite high, since folks have to bet the later rounds according to the size of the pot.
Interesting numbers, but let's not forget that to hit a straight or a flush you'll need at least three of those "useful" cards. Probably two of them on the flop if you want to continue your draw.
Your first mistake -- not taking into account that AK is often the best hand without hitting anything.Well i did say, "that's why some folks like them", and "be ready to fold", and of course position and table are important.
But for instance; AKo =
3+3=6 +3x4=12 =18 cards that can produce a hand, and many of which can be beat. Half as many as SCs
You can't just add up the number of "useful" cards - that's not how statistics work. You need two RELATED cards. For example, 5h6h you can't count the combination of a 3 and an 8 because that's not a straight draw. They don't stretch, yet can both be used to fill straights. Different straights. Your results are over exaggerating the percentage of time you'll hit. Also, seriously, only open ended straight draws should be counted unless you're adding them to flush outs.Just the flush cards are 11/50, or 22%.
Just the straight (including suited) are 24/50, or 48%, and if you get hit high/low they still might not work out....
Some of these you can add... some of them overlap. But overall, you are aren't going to hit the flop nearly as often as you are suggesting.
No, because your stack isn't big enough for the implied odds you need to get paid off.example: MTT 9-max, hero at button with 45s, limp from utg, 3 limps from mp and cutoff limps too. Hero call ofcource, mb calls too, but bb raises for 5bb. Everyone calls, should the hero calls too? hero's stack is about 15bb. equity is so good, but 1/3 of stack for call..
I wasn't suggesting that. I clearly pointed out that they don't all overlap, and that you need to know when to fold.
And i reiterated numerous times that "that's why some people like them".
But your post was helpful and i thank you for your being specific with that. It might be helpful to the OP.
...into a reasonable statement. What good is one heart on the flop to 45h? It's not "useful" at all. That's putting a major emphasis on the word "might" that isn't there. One heart + one straight card is not useful either.45s through J10s: =
11 suited, + ((3 below, 2 matches, or 3 above =8) x3 =24) =35 cards...
That's right 35/50 cards that might be useful.....preflop.
How do you define "produce a hand?" What are those 3x4 cards that "produce a hand?" SCs have twice as many flops that hit than AKo? Most of those cards that hit still leave it well behind AKo. Two flush cards is still a draw. AKo without hitting anything is still the favorite over a draw.But for instance; AKo =
3+3=6 +3x4=12 =18 cards that can produce a hand, and many of which can be beat. Half as many as SCs
You haven't mentioned a huge factor. Playing small ball well requires a superior post-flop game. It's not just a matter of flopping big or missing. This leaves out all the times you only catch part of the flop such as a lower pair or a draw.Suited connectors are the classic "Small Ball" hand - they have big potential but are easy to throw away if you don't connect. They are great for multi-way pots, assuming you can get in cheaply, and especially if you are in late position.
You were suggesting exactly that.