OK studying my PT stats, I have noticed that 4 out of my top 5 losing hands (in bb/hand) are medium suited connectors: 45s, 56s, 67s, 78s. The number one loser is AQs, but it has had a bad string of 'beats', mainly to small PP's that cold-called without odds Pre-Flop. Oover those 4 hands, they are averaging about -1.25bb/hand.

I would like to hear comments and general discussion on how to play 45s-78s in a noraml Limit game? How to play Pre flop; number of limpers required, callign raises, raising with them? Post flop, How to play when you catch the straigh draw? Flush draw? Top Pair, Top 2 pair?

I don't like these hands, in a tight game someone has you dominated, and in a loose game the flush potential dwindles since at best it's an 8 high and people play a lot of suited crap in loose games that will outkick you.

I like the pot 5 handed to get involved and then I also want good position. Iwould never raise these hands even if 9 people were in, and I would almost never call a raise with these hands.

after the flop you need 2 pair or better or a good draw, I'll usually fold if I hit a straight draw but there is 2 to a suit on the board as well.

top pair is meaningles unless the pot is heads up or 3 handed, if you have top pair with 56 then there is probably a straight possible plus all the overcards, not too many safe cards in the deck.

also if i hit a flush draw and it is 2 bets to me I really need some good odds to call not just the typical flush draw odds.

Originally Posted by Steve-O

I don't like these hands

I dont either anymoe!

Steve, I thought you said to defend the blinds with these.

I didn't discuss blind play here since i did that before

There's been a fair amount of work on these done on NL.. this may have some bearing on Limit..

Low suited connectors can make a lot of strong hands (str8s, flushes, surprising sets on the flop).. the problem is that as "strong" hands they aren't "very" strong but extremely vulnerable.. i.e you make your flush and go all in but the Axs KxS gets you.. In NL of course it is so easy to protect high pair that the str8 on the river is of no help. The other problem is that str8s are themselves vulnerable to flushes.. the same betting pattern that allows you to get the the str8 on the river allows in both a higher str8 AND a flush...

In NL Axs late with odds is a better hand (marginal).. even if the x is a 2 . because you can stack someone and because if you make two pair ppl get excited about hitting an A with high kicker on the flop and they will pay you. Also if you're late and you hit the ace.. 55% of the time you can take the pot.

Axs for me with x <5 is slightly positive I gave up on suited cons some time ago


Bob