How to Play Five Four Suited in Poker

What do you do if dealt with a five four suited hand?

Should you play it? Or should you fold and wait for the next hand?

Although five-four suited may seem like a marginal hand, it has potential. It can become strong and help you outsmart other players if played correctly.

Read this guide to learn how to play five four-suited in Poker.

What is a five four suited hand?

In poker, ‘Five-Four suited’ refers to a starting hand that consists of a 5 and a 4 of the same suit. For example, if you have the 5♠ and 4♠, you have a suited hand with both cards in spades.

How to play Five-four suited.

Here’s how to play Five-Four suited across different betting rounds.

Early Position (EP)

Pre-flop: It is advisable to fold Five-Four, suited for the early position. This hand is weak against the range of hands played by opponents in early positions, and there is a high chance of facing a strong raise or re-raise.

Flop: If you have called or limped into the pot, your goal is to hit a strong draw or a made hand. Look for a flop that gives you a flush or straight draw.

Turn: If you hit a flush or straight draw, continue betting or calling if the pot odds are favourable. Be cautious if the board becomes dangerous with potential straights or flushes that could beat you.

River: If you have completed your draw or have a strong hand, make a value bet or call, depending on the situation. If you missed your draw, consider folding to a significant bet.

Middle Position (MP)

Pre-flop: You can be more flexible here. Call a reasonable raise if the pot odds are good or you are in a loose or aggressive game. Avoid raising unless you have a specific strategy to execute.

Flop: After calling a raise, look for opportunities to continue betting if you hit a favourable flop, such as one that gives you a flush or straight draw. If the flop is unfavourable, be prepared to fold.

Turn: Evaluate your draw or made hand. If you are on a draw, assess the pot odds and implied odds to determine if it is worth continuing. If you have a made hand, consider betting or raising to build the pot.

River: Bet for value if you have a strong hand or a completed draw. Folding might be the best option if you missed your draw and faced a significant bet.

Late Position (LP)

Pre-flop: In late position, Five-Four suited is more playable, especially if the action is folded to you or if there is a chance to steal the blinds. You can call if facing a raise from a player with a wide range.

Flop: If you have called a raise pre-flop and the flop is favourable, such as providing a flush or straight draw, consider betting or raising to build the pot or take control of the hand.

Turn: With a completed draw or a strong hand, continue to bet or raise to maximize value. If you are on a draw, evaluate whether to call or fold based on the pot odds and the potential of hitting your draw.

River: If you have completed a strong hand, bet for value. If you missed your draw and are facing a bet, consider folding.

Blinds

• Small Blind (SB): Five-Four suited is a decent hand to call or raise with from the small blind if the pot odds are favourable and there are no aggressive raises. Be prepared to play in a multi-way pot.
• Big Blind (BB): You can defend with a Five-Four suited against a raise, especially if the pot odds are favourable. You often play out of position, so you must know how to proceed if the flop doesn’t improve your hand.

How to Play Five-Four Suited Against Different Player Types

Here’s how to adjust your strategy against different types of opponents:

Against Tight Players

Tight players are selective with their starting hands and usually only play strong hands.

Pre-Flop: Tight players will often only 3-bet with premium hands. If they are 3-bet, you should fold 4♠5♠ as their range is likely very strong. You can call if you are in position, and they make a standard raise, especially if the stacks are deep. They are less likely to have a wide range, so you need to hit the flop hard to continue profitably.

Post-Flop: If you hit a favourable flop (e.g., a straight or flush draw), you can play aggressively, especially if the tight player’s c-bets are small. However, if you miss the flop, it is best to fold to significant aggression since tight players typically have strong hands.

Against Loose Players

Loose players play a wider range of hands and can be more unpredictable.

Pre-Flop: Against a loose player who raises or calls frequently, you can be more inclined to call with 4♠5♠. They are more likely to have a wider range of hands, so you might find opportunities to outplay them post-flop.

Post-Flop: Loose players play with a wide range of hands. If you hit a draw or a good hand, you can capitalize on their tendency to bet frequently. Be cautious of their post-flop aggression; they might bet large, even with marginal hands. You can call or check-raise with strong draws or completed hands.

Against Aggressive Players

Aggressive players frequently raise and bet, applying pressure on their opponents.

Pre-Flop: Against an aggressive player, you need to be cautious. If they are 3-bet or 4-bet, folding 4♠5♠ is usually the best option. If they raise, you might call in position, as you can often play back at them post-flop if you hit a strong draw or hand.

Post-Flop: Aggressive players often make continuance bets and might follow up with multiple barrels. Utilizing their aggression to your benefit, you can employ the strategy of calling and then check-raising if dealt a favourable hand or potent draw. However, should you fail to make a successful flop, you must approach large bets with caution when dealing with aggressive players, as they can exploit those who rely on drawing cards.

Against Passive Players

Passive players tend to call rather than raise and are less likely to apply pressure.

Pre-Flop: If a passive player raises, you can generally call with 4♠5♠, as they are less likely to 3-bet light. If they limp or call, you can often enter the pot.

Post-Flop: Passive players are less likely to bet aggressively, so if you hit a good hand or a draw, you can bet to build the pot. Passive players are more likely to call than raise, so you can extract value from your strong hands or draw more easily. You might check and call their bets if you miss the flop, as they would not pressure you as much.

Against Tag Players

TAG (Tight-Aggressive) players are a mix of tight and aggressive, playing strong hands aggressively.

Pre-Flop: TAG players will likely 3-bet with strong hands, so folding to their 3-bets is often the best option. You can call in position if they raise, as they are more likely to raise with a strong range, but they can also be aggressive post-flop.

Post-Flop: If you hit a good hand or draw, you can use TAG players' aggression to your advantage. If you miss, be cautious about calling bets, as TAG players usually play solid hands.

Tight-Passive Players

Pre-Flop: These players are conservative and rarely raise. You can call or raise with pocket fours, especially if you're in a good position. If they do raise, be cautious and consider folding unless you’re in a late position and the raise is small.

Post-Flop: If you hit a set, you should bet for value. Tight-passive players are less likely to bluff, so you can extract value with straightforward betting. Be cautious if they suddenly show aggression, as it may indicate a strong hand.

Loose-Passive Players

Pre-Flop: These players play many hands and call often but don't raise much. You can raise them with pocket fours to isolate them and exploit their passive nature.

Post-Flop: If you hit a set, continue betting for value. Loose-passive players tend to call with a wide range of hands, so you can bet more frequently and larger to extract maximum value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to play Five-Four suited on the flop?

Consider betting or calling if the flop provides a favourable draw or hits your hand (e.g., flush or straight draw). If the flop is unfavourable, it is often best to fold.

How do you handle a 3-bet with Five-Four suited?

Fold to a 3-bet from the early or middle position. In the late position, you might call if the 3-bet is small and you have favourable pot odds. Be cautious, as you’ll often be out of position.

What do you do if you face a 4-bet with Five-Four suited?

Fold to a 4-bet in almost all situations. A 4-bet indicates a premium hand, making it unlikely that Five-Four suited can compete effectively.

Conclusion

Four-five suited is not among the best hands, but it can provide unique advantages when you play it wisely. Its ability to make straights and flushes can be a strategic asset in favourable situations. Online tables are the best place for any novice to learn to play medium-strength and marginal hands. As you gain experience, you will be on a fast track to becoming a master of the game.