Suited-connectors

[ashmc2]

Today’s topic that only one or two people will answer. Suited-connectors.

If, how, and when do you think it is most lucrative to play suited-cons?

Pretty soon when I get on stars and maybe play with you guys a little bit, you’ll all know my whole game. lol

These are my current theories on SC’s. But I’m an open-minded player always willing to give a new system a shot as long as there’s a solid sounding theorem behind it.

I consider SC’s to be mostly worth playing only in multi-way pots.

I only play mid and high SC’s. I won’t often play anything under 7-6, unless maybe from blinds.

Personally, I only play from mid to late position and only if there are or I think there will be 4 or more to see the flop, (me included.) I will not pay much to get in with these hands, (usually only the minimum bet.) And if I don’t hit hard I’m done. I don’t believe fighting with a junk ass kicker. I’ve learned the hard way; losing too many hands by hitting mid to top pr on the flop only to end up being out-drawn by overs that hung around till later streets or either losing the battle to Axs, where x is the same as my paired up SC that also hit.

I don’t play too many 1-gappers either or often. I’m too tight for many of the weaker starting hands. I think this is due to a lack of self-assurance in my post flop play. I play more with the odds than trying to make plays against opponents or by reads on people.

My SC’s don’t hit hard too often but when they do I usually make enough to justify the money I waste when I don’t hit. Your hand is usually camouflaged so well that they pay you through the nose all the way to the end when you do hit.

What are your thoughts on how and why I play my SC’s?
Do you agree? Disagree?
Do you play yours similar?

[Zybomb]

A lot depends

The better your post flop play is, the wider the range of acceptable hands to play is. The later your position, the wider the range is as well.

Sure you want mutliway pots with suited connectors, but if your positioning is late, I like a smaller size field also... not like HU or anything, but say there's one limper, if Im on the button I limp and the blinds complete... this is ideal. There's 4:1 on your money in the pot, if I hit I'm disguised, and even better Im last to act, so if it's checked around to me, I can throw out a feeler bet to drag in the pot if I sense weakness (as opposed to being trapped). Most players will fold to this bet unless they are fairly strong (and if that was the case they probably would of bet) simply because the pot is so small, why bother getting into a questionable situation for such a small pot. For the other perspective, these pots can add up over the course of a session, which is why I like this.

Playing Suited Connectors (rather than just playing position):

Remember what you are looking for. 8s7s, you are looking for a flush or a straight (preferably a straight, since there is less worry about a better one, a problem you have if you hit a flush)...otherwise two pair or trips.

Am I saying if you flop top pair, don't bet? no of course not, but be prepared to lay the hand down if your opponent's don't seem amused.

Also be able to look at the flops, and don't forget about backdoor draws.

A flop of 8c 6s 2d is fairly decent. You've flopped the top pair, and you also have a backdoor straight and flush draw (both which would be deceptive if you've been betting the entire time. I'd actually raise in LP if someone bet before me (not a huge raise, but just a feeler). Maybe I'll take it down there, if not, Im hoping to hit trips, two pair, or pick up a flush or straight draw on the turn (thats alot of cards that can help, 9 spades, 3 non spade 9s, 3 non spade 5s, 2 8s and 3 7s -- 20 total) Even if I've flopped MIDDLE pair with all these backdoor draws I may still raise depending on the over. The best thing is, if you pick up a backdoor draw which completes, it will be next to impossible to put you on it, because you've been betting/raising since the flop, and the draw has come runner runner!

For this reason, these hands work better in LP. If you are first to act and bet, if you are raised, you are put in a tough spot, and also forced to check fold the turn if you do not improve (assuming you call), where as in LP you've taken control, and have the option of checking back for a free card when you are likely checked to on the turn

In general, in EP I'm mucking most of these hands, but I will play JTs and up as long as the table isn't too aggressive (Im looser than most though). In MP, I like to start limping if there has been someone to enter the pot before me, if Im the first to enter, I'll sometimes fold, sometimes call and occassionally raise. In LP I like mixing in raises with calls. If no one has entered the pot it becomes a fold/raise decision... with limpers already in, it depends if I want to see a cheap flop and hope to catch a big piece, or take control of the hand, limit it to 1 or no callers, and then go from there (also REALLY get action should I hit, since no one will put me on it

At a table which will pay you off huge, and is passive preflop, I'm calling with all suited connectors 65 and up, any suited ace and any pair from all positions. The reason being, should I hit, the likelihood of the calling station table paying me off huge is so big, that it offsets my poor positioning and the bets I lose if the pot is raised preflop.

Calling Raises:

I will call raises with medium suited connectors in some situations. More often Im laying them down, but if the raise has been called by 2 people, I'm usually entering the pot as well

When I hit, Im playing my hand fast and not getting cute in most situations. In a large field, if I flop the nut straight let's say and the PFRer is closely to my left, I'll check and let him fire, so I may get a few calls from other players, then I come over the top. If not, I'll generally fire out, have the PFRer raise me and then move in. With two pair, it'll often be bottom two...Im playing fast and playing VERY aggressive, especially against the PFRer, who likely has an overpair or TPTK

If I complete a flush, Im careful. I play it aggressively, but if my opponent isn't budging, I'll often check call the later streets.

Well that's a start I guess...

[jaeh00d]

beware it happens it to me and i have read it in poker books too... for some reason as a player you get into more trouble with 9-10 suited than 8-9 or anything lower...

[ashmc2]

Now this is what I was looking for. Nice shit Z. Deeply informative. How does this rep point shit work ‘cause I’m giving one here? (For the whole post.)

"Remember what you are looking for. 8s7s, you are looking for a flush or a straight (preferably a straight, since there is less worry about a better one, a problem you have if you hit a flush)...otherwise two pair or trips."

Very nice, I never really thought of the differences here before. But I agree totally. I always get that roller coaster gut when my baby-flush is called or raised.

I also start pushing hard with bottom 2 pr. Nothing hurts worse than bumping up the pot and the river pairs the turn with an over pr. All that work out the window. Arg

[jaeh00d]

quick question...how long have you been playing poker?

[ashmc2]

2 years

[ashmc2]

jaehood

My question is meant to be thought provoking and inducing corresponding and contrasting discussion to help further this forums members’ knowledge of a particular aspect of hand dynamics. If you are somehow above using this learning tool, that is your prerogative.

[jaeh00d]

whoa whoa... no man its not like that

i have no problem with your posts or anything of that nature. i just asked how long you have been playing because you ask a lot of questions, it seems as if you are new to the game.

by the way i enjoy your posts, i guess you took my question wrong way

[ashmc2]

I did take your response the wrong way and I'm sorry I jumped the gun buddy. As to my questions, they help me become more knowledgeable with each one I ask. My dad used to say - there's no such thing as a stupid question... except the one you don't ask. Of course, he to used to also tell me to shutup and stop asking question quite often, now that I think about it.
And as to my game, it can always use a little help as it evolves.

sorry again

[jaeh00d]

No not a problem dude i figured thats what had happened being why i didnt jump back on you. Its cool man, i enjoy reading your posts the feedback that the bigger players give is good for me too. My game needs quite a bit of tweeking myself. Nonetheless like i said, no hard feelings