PLAYER STRATEGY
T
POKER: Playing Suited Connectors
he problem with playing suited connectors is that they don’t win the pot very often. For example, you might play 8♦-7♦ or 9♠-10♠ and hit a hand that will get you into a lot of trouble. You might make top pair or second pair or even a flush and lose a big pot. So the best way to play these types of hands is very carefully. If you’re an advanced player, you understand that it’s very difficult to fold the 7♦-8♦ when the flop comes down 2-6-7. If you’re trying to play suited connectors, you have to learn how to fold them at the right time. This takes finesse, skill and above all, reading ability.
If I am able to take the pot away, by forcing everyone to fold, then I’ll just place my winning hand facedown. But it I get caught bluffing, then I’m more than happy to show the whole table my hand and say “six high.” When the other players realize that I raised with 5♦-6♦ before the flop, then I can expect to receive a lot of extra action for a while and wait for the players to give me their chips. They’ll still be thinking that I have nothing (six high!), but I’ll be showing them some real hands for a while. This pattern tends to keep many players off balance, and eventually they may decide they don’t want to mess with me.
T H R E E LI M I T H O LD ’ E M S I T UAT I O N S APPROPRIATE FOR PL AYING SUITED CONNECTORS
CALLING WITH SUITED CONNECTORS
Situation 1: One situation conducive to playing these hands is when someone has raised, and two or three other players have already called in front of me. Here, I’m investing two bets with at least three other opponents. In this situation, I like to have at least 5-6 suited or higher. I don’t see much value in 2-3, 3-4, or 4-5 suited: the pairs, straights and flushes these hands might make are all too low. As an example, if I’m playing a hand like 3-4 suited, I’m hoping to make a straight. It’s not that I object to making a flush, but it would make the worst possible flush and I could easily lose to a higher flush. So I’d rather make a straight because unless I hit the hand perfectly with A-2-5, my straight is probably going to be on the low side of what’s available. Situation 2: The second favorable situation arises when I have suited connectors in the blinds because I get in for a discount. In other words, instead of calling two bets in the big amounts, I would call just one bet since I was the one to post the first bet in the blind. Situation 3: The third situation involves messing with other players’ heads in order to seem like a more unpredictable player. In this situation, I’ll make it three bets over the top of someone who I assume is raising the pot with a weak hand in front of me. I may three-bet (re-raise) a jackal when I’m on the button with 5♦-6♦ in order to try to steal the pot from him.
The idea behind calling two bets with suited connectors is to try to win a big pot. So, I’m looking for a lot of opponents when I consider calling two bets with this hand. It doesn’t make sense to me to call two bets with 8♥-9♥ when no one else has called before the flop. In other words, I’m looking for good pot odds for this type of drawing hand. An occasional big pot pays for a lot of failed attempts. Suppose someone raises before the flop in the early position, and now two other people call the raise in front of me. I’m on the button with 4♦-5♦. I simply fold this hand, because 4-5 is below the suited connector line that I like to maintain. In this same situation, if I have 7-8 suited, then I’ll go ahead and call the raise, trying to get lucky on the flop later. Suppose that a mouse in early position makes it two bets to go, and now two other players call the two bets in front of me. I’m on the bottom with 9♣-10♣. In this case, although two other players have already called the raise, I’ll probably fold my hand because the original raiser is a mouse. And when a mouse raises in early position, I’m always looking for an excuse to fold as soon as possible. Of course, if the original raiser isn’t a mouse, I will call with my 9♣-10♣. My rule for playing suited connectors is this: If two other people have called two bets (a raise), then I’ll call it with my hand (assuming that it’s above the 4-5 line).
by
PHIL HELLMUTH, JR.
Phil Hellmuth, Jr is an 13 time World Series of Poker Champion, leading all other poker players in the world. He is the author of two New York Times bestsellers and his latest book, Deal Me In, is also widely popular. Visit philhellmuth.com to check out his clothing line, blog and exclusive gaming tips. Hellmuth will host his annual Derby Poker Championship with poker pro, Robert Williamson III and Hall of Fame basketball coach, Denny Crum on May 2 in Louisville, Kentucky. For more info visit DerbyPokerChampionship.com.
“IF YOU’RE TRYING TO PLAY SUITED CONNECTORS, YOU HAVE TO LEARN HOW TO FOLD THEM AT THE RIGHT TIME.”
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