Playing Suited Connectors

• 09.06.2025 9:12 am
• headhunter
• 1 Comment

These hands are so pretty to look at because of their prospects. They work for you in two ways by going for a flush and a straight. Despite being pretty, suited connectors shouldn't automatically be played. Suited connectors should only be played in multiway action and for as cheaply as possible.

The thing is with these hands you are looking to hit a monster flop with top two pair being your least requirement. These types of flops don't happen too often, but when they do you can expect a large payout. If you don't hit your hand, you have to let the suited connectors go. If you haven't learned how to lay down hands, your starting requirement should tighten up until you learn this skill. This is important because you will lose too much money if you don't.

Many times these hands will go past the flop because you are close to hitting your draw. If you have 5-6 clubs and the boards comes 3-7-K with two clubs, you need one more card in either direction to make your hand. You have 15 cards that will make your hand. These are good odds and in many cases calling is justified. Just make you have the right odds to call. If you only have one of the draws, say the straight, where only eight cards will give you hand, you have to pay attention to your odds. This usually translates into 5-to-1. If you aren't getting 5-to-1 on your money, you have to lay the hand down because it's not worth it.

If you hit a medium pair with your suited connectors, don't be ready to send your money in there just yet. It's just a middle pair with other people to act. There is a chance someone hit a better card than you and with hands such as 6-7 or 8-9, your kicker is weak. There are so many things you have to consider when deciding how you want to continue. It depends on table reputation, opponents' hands, table image, the size of the pot and much more. What if someone bets into you while you hold middle pair? What are you going to do?

That's why playing suited connectors is a dangerous proposition. Your intent wasn't to hit a pair. It's only a marginal hand and you were hoping for something much stronger. If you are unsure of what to do, fold the hand. Indecision will only lead to lost money. Let someone else look up the bettor in this case. Save your money for when your suited connectors hit a big flop.

Playing suited connectors in late position is the only way to play them. If you have suited connectors in early position, you will never know if you have the right odds on a play. People will be able to put you on a hand easier if they notice you aren't scared of certain flop textures.

Suited connectors get easier to play with experience. When you first start playing, you want to play these hands cautiously because if you play them wrong you could end up losing a lot of money.