Suited Connectors in Poker Game

Introduction

It is difficult to know when to play suited connectors and when to avoid them. You should consider various factors, such as your opponent’s actions, the stack size, and your position at the table. Read further to learn about players' strategic mistakes and how to avoid them.

Objective

The article aims to help players understand the suited connectors and how to avoid common mistakes players make.

What is a suited connector?

Suited connectors are two consecutive cards from the same suit. For Example, Q♥ J♥, T♣9♣, 9♦8♦, 8♠7♠, and so on. Suited connectors can be a good hand as they can help you make straight and Flush hand.

Suited hands with a gap like J9 are called suited gappers.

Mistakes Poker Players Should Avoid

Here are five strategic mistakes you should avoid:

3-betting against stacks of 60 big blinds

To understand this, let’s discuss Short and Deep Stacks. A player with less than 60 big blinds is called a short stack. In the case of short stacks, players are supposed to avoid raising with suited connectors. There is very little room for bluffing with a stock stack, and when you hit a big hand, you won’t win much.

A player with more than 60 big blinds is called a deep stack. A deep stack is an excellent opportunity to place a 3-bet, as many players Fold when you raise. This gives you more chances to bluff, and you can win much money with a good hand.

3-betting against calling stations

• The three main reasons why 3-bet against calling are:
• Your suited connector won’t work if your opponent does not Fold. They will keep on playing, leaving less chance of bluffing.
• If they have better hands than you, they will keep calling your Raise or bet more.
• Lastly, if both of you hit a good hand, their better-starting hand can beat yours.

Rarely 4-bet suited connectors

• There are three things you need to know before deciding to choose 4-bet:
• Blocker Effect: This means you have cards that make it less likely your opponent will have better hands than you. For example, if you have an Ace, it’s less likely that your opponent will have a pair of Aces.
• Next is how well your hand can be played after the Flop. Suited connectors can help you make straights and Flushes.
• The last point is the potential to make more money if you have a big hand.

Avoid overcalling

Unless you are a big blind, don’t raise with suited connectors. Let’s understand this with an example.

Let’s say you play six players at the table, each with 100 big blinds. The player sitting in the middle raises to 2.5 big blinds and cutoff calls, and you are on the button with 6♦ 5♦.

To calculate the pot value and your odds against the pot, here’s a simple calculation:

After your call, the pot value will be 9 Big Blinds (2.5bb (raiser) + 2.5bb (caller) + 2.5bb (you call) + 1.5bb (Blinds). The pot odds will be your call/ total pot after your call, which is 2.5bb / 9bb, approx 27%.

Now, why is this risky? The player behind you may re-raise about 10% of the time, and if they do, you will have to Fold and leave. If the player behind you calls, your hand’s equity will decrease as more players will be in the pot.

Don’t call 3-bets against short-stacks

You can call 3-bet when stacks are deep. Call a small bet, such as 5-6.5 big blinds, to win 100 big blinds.

Connectors lose their value if the stacks are shallower. You will have to call the same 5-6.5 big blinds, but instead of winning 100, you will win 50 big blinds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you limp with suited connectors?

It is advisable to Raise or Fold with suited connectors. You can control and leverage the post-flop playability.

What are the odds of hitting a straight with suited connectors?

The odds of hitting a straight with suited connectors are 9.1%. This includes the Flop, Turn, and River Straight. 

Are suited connectors profitable?

Suited connectors are profitable in deep-stacked play, but the profitability diminishes with shallower stacks and aggressive opponents.

How often do suited connectors flip a draw?

Suited connectors like 76 or 98 Flop a draw around 10-12% of the time.

Conclusion

When you understand the nitty-gritty of suited connectors, it becomes easy to understand the scenarios you need to avoid. Keep the factors like table position, your opponent’s actions, and the stack size before making any strategy.