How to Play Six-Five Suited In Poker

Introduction

Six-Five Suited have great potential to make strong, disguised hands like straights and flushes, which can win big pots. However, they can also be challenging to play due to their lower card value.

This article will provide a thorough guide on how to play Six-Five Suited in Poker.   

What is Six-Five Suited?

Six-Five Suited refers to a starting hand in which both cards are of the same suit (hearts, diamonds, clubs, or spades) and are six and five, respectively. For example, having six hearts and five hearts would constitute Six-Five Suited.

How to Play Six-Five Suited in Cash Games

Here’s how to play 65s preflop and post-flop from various table positions.

Preflop

Early Position (UTG, UTG+1):

• Tight Play: In early positions, your range should be tight. Playing 65s can be risky due to the likelihood of facing raises from later positions.
• Open-Fold: Generally, folding 65s in early positions is advisable unless the table is passive or you have a specific read that suggests otherwise.

Middle Position (MP1, MP2):

• Open with Caution: If the table is passive and players behind you are not prone to 3-betting light, you can consider opening 65s.
• Call a Raise: If facing a single raise, you can call if the raise is small and several players are yet to act, as it improves your implied odds.

Late Position (Hijack, Cutoff, Button)

• Open Raise: In late position, you can comfortably open-raise with 65s, especially if the blinds are tight or passive.
• Call a Raise: Calling a raise in a late position is often profitable as you have a position and can control the pot size.

Blinds (Small Blind, Big Blind)

• Defend the Big Blind: Defending the big blind with 65s is standard against a single raise, particularly if the raise is small.
• Small Blind Play: From the small blind, you can call or even 3-bet as a bluff if the original raiser is likely to fold to aggression.

Postflop

Flop Play:

• Connected Boards: On connected boards (e.g., 4-7-K), 65s has the potential for straights and can semi-bluff if you have a draw.
• Uncoordinated Boards: On dry boards (e.g., K-9-2), consider folding to aggression unless you have a backdoor draw.
• Pairing: If you hit a pair, avoid overcards and potential higher pairs. Use position to control the pot size.

Turn Play:

• Improvement: If you improve to a strong draw (e.g., open-ended straight draw or flush draw), bet or raise as a semi-bluff.
• Weakness: If the turn doesn't improve your hand, evaluate your opponent's tendencies before proceeding. You can check behind in position or fold to aggression.

River Play:

• Made Hand: If you hit a straight or flush, bet for value. Consider the texture of the board and your opponent's range.
• Missed Draws: If you miss your draw, decide between bluffing and giving up based on your opponent's perceived strength and tendencies.

Tips Against Different Bet Types

Continuation Bet (C-Bet)

• On a Wet Board (with multiple straight and flush possibilities): If you have a draw, consider calling or raising as a semi-bluff.
• On a Dry Board (uncoordinated with fewer straight or flush): Fold if you miss the flop, as your equity is low.

Probe Bet:

A probe bet is a small bet made by a player out of position on the turn or river to gather information about the strength of their opponent's hand.

• In Position: If you have a draw or a weak-made hand, call to see another card or raise to take control.
• Out of Position: Be cautious and consider the strength of your hand and your opponent's tendencies before continuing.

Double Barrel (Turn Bet)

Double barrel is a continuation bet made on the flop followed by another bet on the turn to maintain aggression and pressure on opponents.

• Improved Draw: Call or raise if you have a strong draw or improved to a made hand.
• No Improvement: Fold if you have not improved and the opponent shows strength.

Triple Barrel (River Bet)

Triple Barrel is continuing to bet on the flop, turn, and river to bluff or extract value from opponents.

• Strong Hand: Bet for value if you hit your draw or have a strong hand.
• Missed Draw: Decide whether to bluff based on your read of the opponent. If they are likely to fold, a bluff can be effective.

Play Six Five Suited Against Different Player Types

Tight-Aggressive (TAG) Players

TAG players are selective with their hands but play them aggressively.

Preflop:

• Early Position: Fold 65s as TAG players are likely to 3-bet you.
• Middle Position: Open-raise if you sense passive behaviour from TAGs in later positions.
• Late Position: Open-raise to exploit their tendency to fold marginal hands.
• Blinds: Defend with calls or 3-bets from the big blind if the TAG player is likely to fold.

Postflop:

• Flop: If you hit a draw or pair, proceed with caution. TAG players often c-bet.
• Turn: Be wary of double barrels. Raise if you have a strong draw or made hand.
• River: Value bet if you hit your hand; avoid bluffing, as TAG players might call with strong hands.

Loose-Aggressive (LAG) Players

LAG players play a wide range of hands aggressively and are unpredictable.

Preflop:

• Early Position: Fold 65s as LAG players might raise or 3-bet aggressively.
• Middle Position: Open-raise to take the initiative and be ready for 3-bets.
• Late Position: Open-raise frequently to exploit their wide range.
• Blinds: Defend with calls or occasional 3-bets.

Postflop:

• Flop: LAG players often c-bet. Call with draws or pairs, and consider raising with strong draws.
• Turn: Bet or raise if you have a strong draw or made hand.
• River: Value bet if you hit; consider bluffing if you miss, as LAG players might fold.

Tight-Passive (TP) Players

TP players play few hands and are generally reluctant to bet or raise.

Preflop:

• Early Position: Fold 65s as TP players will call with strong hands.
• Middle Position: Open-raise to steal blinds; TP players will call but rarely 3-bet.
• Late Position: Open-raise often to exploit their tendency to call.
• Blinds: Call or 3-bet to take control, as TP players might fold to aggression.

Postflop:

• Flop: Bet aggressively if TP players check; they will fold if they miss.
• Turn: Continue betting if TP players call the flop; they fold to double barrels without strong hands.
• River: Value bet if you have a made hand; avoid bluffing, as TP players might call with marginal hands.

Loose-Passive (LP) Players

LP players play many hands and call frequently but rarely bet or raise.

Preflop:

• Early Position: Fold 65s as LP players will call with a wide range.
• Middle Position: Open-raise to build the pot; LP players will call with worse hands.
• Late Position: Open-raise frequently; LP players will call but not 3-bet.
• Blinds: Call or raise; LP players will call with a wide range and rarely fold.

Postflop:

• Flop: Bet for value; LP players will call with weaker hands and draws.
• Turn: Continue betting for value; LP players will call with a wide range.
• River: Bet for value if you have a strong hand; avoid bluffing, as LP players will call with marginal holdings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you react to a 3-bet preflop when holding 65s?

 If you face a 3-bet while holding 65s, you should usually fold unless you have a strong read on your opponent. Calls can be considered in deep stack situations or against a very aggressive player, especially if you believe you can outplay your opponent post-flop.

When is it appropriate to bluff with 65s?

Bluffing with 65s can be effective when you have a draw or are in a favourable position. Semi-bluffing on the flop or turn with an open-ended straight or flush draw can pressure opponents. Avoid bluffing against calling stations or players who are unlikely to fold.

How to play 65s in multiway pots?

In multiway pots, 65s can be played for its drawing potential. You should be more inclined to see a flop cheaply and fold to significant aggression. Post-flop, focus on hitting strong draws or hands and avoid committing too many chips without a solid hand.

What to do if you hit a weak pair with 65s on the flop?

If the board is dry and your opponents are passive, you might continue with a small bet or check. It's often better to proceed cautiously against aggressive opponents or on coordinated boards and consider folding to significant aggression.

Conclusion

Remember, while 65s can win big pots, avoiding overcommitting with a marginal hand is crucial. Practice and experience will improve your ability to balance aggression and caution. The more you play, the more you learn, and the more strategic your decisions become.