Playing Suited Connectors... : Hand Analysis

What strategies do you employ mid-game in playing suited connectors? Early on I'd be looking to play them cautiously, but later on in the game it might be a hand I'd look at pushing with an eye on a flush.

My main problem comes with something like 8-9s and a low bet pre-flop - My temptation is to call it if only to see the flop if it's cheap enough. But what if you pick up another card on the flop - You're praying on two further suited cards and the odds can't be good I'm imagine. Another low bet on the table and people limping in, what do you do? Do you call it and further commit yourself going out on a limb or do you fold based on the fact you've got little chance of more than a pair or two?

In my opinion you shuoldnt play with J10 or 89 suited , becouse you if you are tight you must wait for real good hand like KQ AJ at least KJ suited... then you have more chances to win .

Cobalt wrote:What strategies do you employ mid-game in playing suited connectors? Early on I'd be looking to play them cautiously, but later on in the game it might be a hand I'd look at pushing with an eye on a flush.

My main problem comes with something like 8-9s and a low bet pre-flop - My temptation is to call it if only to see the flop if it's cheap enough. But what if you pick up another card on the flop - You're praying on two further suited cards and the odds can't be good I'm imagine. Another low bet on the table and people limping in, what do you do? Do you call it and further commit yourself going out on a limb or do you fold based on the fact you've got little chance of more than a pair or two?

I gave this issue a good thought some time ago, after going broke in an important tournament with 89s, having committed myself by the turn (called a miniraise preflop, and another small raise on the flop with a flush draw), and here's what I've figured out:

the main factor to consider when deciding if to play small connectors is the skill level of your opponents. Simply put:
- if most of your opponents are weak, you should definitely try and play the connectors (only if it's possible to see the flop for a reasonable price, of course), because you generally have good implied odds when hitting;
- if most of your opponents are strong, you should avoid suited connectors, as the implied odds generally aren't that good, and it would be folded to you if you manage to hit a straight or a flush.

Another thing, though, is stealing. I tend to look at it this way: if I have a position and it has been folded to me then a light that's saying "consider stealing" automatically turns on. Now the decision if to steal or not to steal depends on who are the people who are to act behind me and does my hand have some extra value or is it pure crap - in this situation, suited connectors come in very handy. Basically, you would consider stealing with any two cards, but are much more keen on doing it with a suited connector, as even if you do get a caller, you have some chances to hit big.