OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Been doing some thinking lately, and I've decided there's one particular group of hands that's got me stumped - suited connectors.
I'm just never quite sure what I'm supposed to do with them. They don't feel like strong raising hands to me, so most of the time I end up just throwing them away unless I'm getting really good odds to stick around. It's a safe option, I guess, but I feel like maybe I'm missing out on some opportunities.
Here's what I'm wondering, any advice would be appreciated:
- What's a really good flop for a suited connector hand? Take a typical one like 8c9c. If there's three clubs on the flop I've made a flush, but do I have the best flush? What if another one comes on the turn? Or are we really hoping to end up with the top end of a straight, or straight and flush draws to maximise outs?
- Should they be played like low pocket pairs? eg: try to see a cheap flop, bet out if you hit and toss them if you don't? Or do we raise with them, and assume that the types of flops that hit us will be the kinds that don't hit the hands that will be calling us?
- I'm assuming they'd need to be played fairly fast - true or not? The way I figure it, they'd be vulnerable to higher draws if the hand was allowed to go to the river, so is it often best to bet hard on the flop in the hope of taking it down early?
I should mention I'm thinking more the jack and below type connectors - I've got a slightly better idea what to do with the premium ones (AKs, KQs, etc)
I'm just never quite sure what I'm supposed to do with them. They don't feel like strong raising hands to me, so most of the time I end up just throwing them away unless I'm getting really good odds to stick around. It's a safe option, I guess, but I feel like maybe I'm missing out on some opportunities.
Here's what I'm wondering, any advice would be appreciated:
- What's a really good flop for a suited connector hand? Take a typical one like 8c9c. If there's three clubs on the flop I've made a flush, but do I have the best flush? What if another one comes on the turn? Or are we really hoping to end up with the top end of a straight, or straight and flush draws to maximise outs?
- Should they be played like low pocket pairs? eg: try to see a cheap flop, bet out if you hit and toss them if you don't? Or do we raise with them, and assume that the types of flops that hit us will be the kinds that don't hit the hands that will be calling us?
- I'm assuming they'd need to be played fairly fast - true or not? The way I figure it, they'd be vulnerable to higher draws if the hand was allowed to go to the river, so is it often best to bet hard on the flop in the hope of taking it down early?
I should mention I'm thinking more the jack and below type connectors - I've got a slightly better idea what to do with the premium ones (AKs, KQs, etc)