How to Play Eight-Seven Suited in Poker

Introduction

Often overlooked or underestimated, the ‘Eight-Seven suited’ has the potential for massive rewards in the hands of a skilled player. Understanding how to exploit its strengths is a hallmark of a proficient poker strategist.

Here are the fundamentals of how to play Eight-Seven Suited in Poker.

What is Eight-Seven Suited?

Eight-seven suited denotes a starting hand in which both cards are of identical suits (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades) and bear the values of eight and seven.

Objective

The objective of playing Eight-Seven, which is suited to poker, is to hit strong draws like straights and flushes, aiming to win pots with well-timed aggression or by seeing cheap flops in position.

How to play Eight Seven in Cash Games

Preflop

Early Position:

In early position, Eight-Seven suited is a marginal hand. It's often best to proceed cautiously:

Raise: You can raise if you are confident in your post-flop skills and play well in multiway pots.

Fold: Due to the hand's speculative nature, folding can be a wise choice if you face a raise or multiple callers.

Example: You are under the gun (UTG) with 8♣ 7♣. With a tight table, you decide to fold to avoid being out of position against potentially stronger hands.

Middle Position:

Here, you have more flexibility but still need to be cautious.

Raise: Raise if the table is passive and you believe you can take control post-flop.

Call: You should call if the table is loose and you expect multiple players to see the flop, increasing the implied odds.

Example: You are in the middle position and decide to limp with 8♦ 7♦. The cutoff, button call, and flop come 9♣ 6♣ 2♠. You check the cutoff bets and the button folds. You decide to fold due to the coordinated board and the aggressor's likely strong hand.

Late Position/Button:

Eight-Seven suited gains value in late position due to better post-flop playability.

Raise: Raise to steal blinds or isolate weaker players.

Call: If you are facing a raise and you are deep-stacked, you can call to see a flop with the potential to hit big.

Example: On the button with 8♥ 7♥, everyone folds to you. You decide to raise to steal blinds and the small blind folds, but the big blind calls. The flop is Q♠ J♣ 5♦. The big blind checks, and you decide to check behind to see a free turn card, keeping your options open.

Postflop

In Position (IP):

Being in position allows you to control the size of the pot and gather information.

Bet: If checked to, you can bet to represent strength or to capitalize on your opponent's weakness.

Check: If facing aggression, you can check to see a free card or control the size of the pot.

Example: You are on the button with 8♠ 7♠. The flop is 7♦ 6♠ 2♥. The small blind bets, and you decide to call to see if you improve on the turn.

Out of Position (OOP):

Playing OOP requires caution, as you are at a disadvantage.

Check/Call: You can check and call bets to control the pot size and minimize losses.

Check/Fold: Folding can often be the best choice if facing strong aggression, especially on coordinated boards.

Example: You are in the big blind with 8♦ 7♦. The flop is 9♠ 5♦ 4♦. The small blind bets, and you decide to call to see if you hit your flush draw on the turn.

Play Eight-Seven Suited Against Different Player Types

Here’s how to approach the hand against different player types.

Against Tight-Aggressive (TAG) Players:

TAG players are selective about their starting hands and aggressive when they play them. 

Pre-flop: You can limp in or make a small raise from the late position to see a cheap flop.

Post-flop: If you hit a draw (like a straight or flush draw), be cautious but prepared to semi-bluff if they check to you. They are likely to fold to aggression if they don’t have a strong hand.

Example: You are in the cutoff with 8♣7♣. A TAG player raises from the early position. You decide to call to see if you can hit a favourable flop like 6♣9♣K♠, giving you a flush draw and potential straight draws.

Against Loose-Passive Players:

Loose-passive players play a wide range of hands but tend to call bets rather than raise or fold aggressively.

Pre-flop: You can raise to take control of the hand. They will often call with weaker hands.

Post-flop: You can bet for value when you hit any piece of the board. They are likely to call with weaker pairs or draws.

Example: You are on the button with 8♦7♦. A loose-passive player in the middle position limps in. You raise to isolate and get called. The flop comes 8♥6♠2♦, giving you the middle pair. They check, and you bet to extract value from their weaker holdings.

Against Loose-Aggressive (LAG) Players:

LAG players play a wide range of hands aggressively.

Pre-flop: You can flat-call or raise to play a pot in position against them. Avoid being too aggressive unless you have a strong read.

Post-flop: You must play cautiously if you do not hit the flop strongly. They will bluff often, so be prepared to fold if they show aggression post-flop.

Example: You are in the small blind with 8♠7♠. A LAG player raises from the early position. You call to see the flop. The flop comes Q♠J♠3♣, giving you a flush draw. They bet aggressively. You decide to call or raise depending on your read of their betting pattern.

Against Tight-Passive Players:

Tight-passive players are conservative and only play strong hands. 

Pre-flop: You can raise to isolate them and build the pot when you have a playable hand.

Post-flop: You should bet for value when you hit a decent hand. They are likely to call with a top pair or strong draws.

Example: You are in the early position with 8♥7♥. A tight-passive player in the big blind calls your raise. The flop comes 8♠5♦2♥, giving you a top pair. They will check with you. You bet for value, knowing they will likely call with any decent pair.

Against Aggressive Players:

Aggressive players bet and raise frequently to put pressure on opponents.

Pre-flop: You should call or raise depending on your position and read of their playing style.

Post-flop: You must be cautious and look for spots to trap them with a strong hand or a well-timed bluff. If they sense weakness, they may fold to aggression.

Example: You are in the cutoff with 8♠7♠. An aggressive player in the big blind raises. You call for a favorable flop like 8♥7♦4♣. They bet aggressively again. You may choose to slow-play with two-pair or a set, or you might raise to test their hand strength.

Against Passive Players:

Passive players tend to check and call rather than bet or raise. 

Pre-flop: You can raise to build the pot.

Post-flop: As per most experts, you should bet consistently to exploit their passivity. They are likely to fold to aggression unless they have a strong hand.

Example: You are in the middle position with 8♦7♦. A passive player in the big blind calls your raise. The flop comes 9♠8♣2♦, giving you a backdoor flush draw. They will check with you. You bet to pressure them into folding weaker hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should you raise with Eight-Seven suited?

Raise with Eight-Seven, which is suited when you are in a late position and believe you can steal blinds or isolate weaker players. You should avoid raising from early positions unless the table is very tight.

Is it okay to call with an Eight-Seven-Suited preflop?

Calling with Eight suited can be profitable in late position or when facing a single raise in position, especially against loose opponents who give good implied odds for hitting strong draws.

How do you play Eight-Seven suited against aggressive opponents?

Against aggressive players, consider calling pre-flop and playing cautiously post-flop. You must look for opportunities to float and bluff-catch, but avoid bluffing rivers against persistent aggression.

Should you 3-bet with Eight-Seven suited?

Reserve 3-betting with Eight-Seven suited for specific situations, such as against very loose opponents or as a squeeze play in position. You must have a solid read on your opponents before attempting this aggressive move.

Conclusion

Eight-Seven suited is a versatile and potentially lucrative hand when approached with skill and foresight. While it may not command the immediate respect of higher-ranking hands, its strength lies in its adaptability and drawing potential. Patience and discipline are your allies when playing Eight-Seven suited. Remember that it is about seizing opportunities, whether flopping a draw or reading your opponents to exploit their weaknesses.