How to Play King-Ten Suited in Cash Games

Introduction

Every hand in Poker has its own unique narrative, tactics, and possibilities. Of all the hands, King-Ten suited is frequently undervalued but can be a valuable asset for players.

In this blog, you can find effective strategies and expert tips for playing King-Ten Suited in Poker.

What is King-Ten Suited?

In Texas Hold'em, a strong initial hand is the ‘King-Ten Suited’, which includes one King and one Ten from identical suits such as K♥10 ♥ or K♠10 ♠. This combination offers outstanding potential for forming high-ranking hands like flushes, straights, and top pairs. This is an excellent starting hand in Texas Hold'em since it has great prospects for creating high-level hands like flushes, straights, or high pairs.

How to Play King-Ten Suited in Cash Games

Here's a guide on how to play KTs in each betting round.

Pre-Flop Strategy

Early Position (EP)

• General Strategy: KTs is typically not strong enough to raise from EP due to the likelihood of facing multiple callers or re-raises. Folding is often the best play to avoid tricky situations.
• Exception: If the table is very passive or tight, you might raise to 3-4BB to try to steal the blinds and establish a tight-aggressive table image.
• Example: You are UTG+1 with K♠ T♠ in a nine-handed game. It is best to fold here due to the risk of facing stronger hands and playing out of position for the rest of the hand.

Middle Position (MP)

• General Strategy: KTs can be raised to 2.5-3BB. You have fewer players to act behind you, and your position improves.
• Action: Be prepared to fold to a significant 3-bet from a tight player.
• Example: You are in MP with K♦ T♦. You raise to 3BB. If the players behind you are tight or passive, this raise is more likely to pick up the blinds and antes.

Late Position (LP) and Button

• General Strategy: KTs is a strong hand to raise with, aiming to steal the blinds or play in position post-flop. Raise to 2.5-3BB.
• Advantages: You have the best position post-flop, allowing you to make more informed decisions based on opponents' actions.
• Example: You are on the button with K♣ T♣. Everyone folds to you. Raising to 2.5BB can often win the blinds or set up a favorable post-flop scenario.

Blinds

• General Strategy: Defend your big blind with KTs against late position raises. If in the small blind, you can call or occasionally 3-bet as a bluff.
• Adjustments: If facing a raise from an aggressive player, a call is typically better to see a flop.
• Example: You are in the big blind with K♥ T♥. The cutoff raises to 2.5BB. Calling is a good play here, as KTs has good equity against a wide opening range.

Flop Strategy

Evaluate the Board

• Strong Hit: If the flop gives you top pair with a good kicker, a flush draw, or a strong combo draw, you should bet or raise to protect your hand and build the pot.
• Moderate Hit: If the flop gives you a pair or a gutshot straight draw, you can bet or check-call depending on the texture and the number of opponents.
• Miss: If the flop completely misses you, consider checking and folding to aggression unless you believe a c-bet can take down the pot.

Scenario 1:

Flop: K♠ 7♦ 2♣

You raised pre-flop and got called by the big blind. The flop comes K♠ 7♦ 2♣. You have top pair, good kicker. Bet around 60-70% of the pot to protect your hand and extract value from worse hands.

Scenario 2:

Flop: J♠ T♠ 5♦

You raised from the button and got called by the big blind. The flop is J♠ T♠ 5♦. You have middle pair and a backdoor flush draw. Betting 50-60% of the pot as a semi-bluff can pressure your opponent.

Scenario 3:

Flop: 8♦ 6♠ 3♣

You raised from the cutoff and the button called. The flop misses you. Check and decide your next move based on your opponent's action and tendencies.

Turn Strategy

• Strong Improvement: If the turn gives you a made flush, straight, or improves your top pair, bet for value.
• Continued Draw: If you have a strong draw or additional equity, continue betting as a semi-bluff or call if facing a bet.
• No Improvement: If the turn does not improve your hand and the board remains dangerous, consider checking or folding.

Scenario 1:

Turn: Q♠ (Board: K♠ 7♦ 2♣ Q♠)

 You have top pair and now a flush draw. Bet again for value and protection, around 70-80% of the pot.

Scenario 2:

Turn: 9♣ (Board: J♠ T♠ 5♦ 9♣)

You now have an open-ended straight draw along with middle pair. Bet as a semi-bluff to apply pressure.

Scenario 3:

Turn: 4♦ (Board: 8♦ 6♠ 3♣ 4♦)

The turn does not improve your hand. Check and re-evaluate based on your opponent's action.

River Strategy

• Strong Hand: If you have a strong hand (flush, top pair with good kicker), bet for value.
• Missed Draws: If you miss your draws, consider bluffing if you think your opponent can fold better hands or check-fold if you believe a bluff would not work.
• Marginal Hands: With marginal hands, decide whether to check-call or check-fold based on your read of the opponent.

Scenario 1:

River: 2♦ (Board: K♠ 7♦ 2♣ Q♠ 2♦)

You have top pair with a good kicker. Bet for value, targeting worse pairs or weaker hands.

Scenario 2:

River: Q♦ (Board: J♠ T♠ 5♦ 9♣ Q♦)

You missed your draw. Consider a bluff if you believe your opponent can fold a better hand. Otherwise, check-fold.

Scenario 3:

River: 5♠ (Board: 8♦ 6♠ 3♣ 4♦ 5♠)

Your hand is weak. If you check your opponent's bets, decide whether they are likely bluffing based on their tendencies and the bet size.

Example of a King-Ten Suited Hand

Pre-Flop

You are in MP with K♦ T♦. You raise to 3BB. The cutoff and button call.

Flop

• The flop comes T♠ 8♣ 3♠. You have top pair with a good kicker.
• You bet 5BB, the cutoff folds, and the button calls.

Turn

• The turn is the 5♠. You now have a flush draw.
• You bet 10BB to continue building the pot and applying pressure. The button calls.

River

• The river is the 2♦. Your hand remains top pair, good kicker.
• Bet around 15-20BB for value, targeting hands like weaker tens, pocket pairs, or a missed flush draw bluff catcher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you always raise with KTs pre-flop?

No, you should not always raise with KTs pre-flop. Your action depends on your position at the table. In an early position, it is often best to fold due to the risk of facing stronger hands. Raising is generally better in middle or late positions to take control of the hand or steal the blinds. In the blinds, you can defend against raises from late position players, but be cautious against early position raisers.

How should you play KTs if I hit top pair on the flop?

You should generally bet for value and protection if you hit the top pair with KTs on the flop. Evaluate the board - if it is draw-heavy, bet more aggressively to protect your hand. If the board is dry, a smaller bet may suffice. 

What should you do if you have a flush draw with KTs on the flop?

You can play KTs aggressively as a semi-bluff with a flush draw on the flop. Bet or raise to apply pressure and build the pot for when you hit your flush. If the board is multi-way, be more cautious and consider the pot odds before continuing. In heads-up scenarios, betting increases your chances of winning the pot outright or setting up for a big win on later streets.

Conclusion

Practice makes a Poker player perfect. Continuously refining your approach and learning from each hand will help you better understand how to play King-Ten suited effectively. With time and experience, you can make better decisions and increase your overall win rate with this powerful hand.