Suited Cards -- Need Advice, please

[Jonny_Ringo]

I, by no means, subscribe to the "any two suited" theory, but I am concerned as to when it is a good call (preflop) to limp with suited cards. I feel as though, right now, this is the biggest hole in my game, as I do not have a sound strategy . . .

For instance, I'll almost always limp with Axs and sometimes limp Kxs from late position (if there are multiple limpers to me) and will always complete from the SB with suited cards. . . all of which could be correct or completely incorrect -- which is why I am asking for guidance.

Is there a line I should draw or are there indicators I should look for when holding suited cards? Does it become a correct call once a certain number of players limp to me or if I can expect a certain number of people to see the flop?

I'd appreciate any and all thoughts on playing suited cards.

Ringo.

[BigEndian]

Axs and maybe Kxs are long-term winners if played correctly with sufficient pot odds. Suited connectors 98-54 are marginal. Suited connectors KQ-JT are good hands but tough to play if the flush isn't there. You generally want 4+ callers and a cheap flop for Axs, Kxs, 98s and less.

Playing suited cards from the blinds is usually straight-forward. If the most you have to put in is one bet or a half a bet, if the odds are right in the pot, call. Just be sure you aren't calling with crap like 82-suited or 42-suited unless the odds are over-the-top (7 callers and you're in the SB, BB never raises, you're getting 17-1).

That's how I try to play them, discipline lags from time to time. And sometimes I'll raise with JTs-65s just to be a yahoo.

- Groove

[Jezebel]

At a "typical" game you should be able to limp in from EP with any 2 suited broadway cards. If the game becomes a bit more aggressive I'd fold KTs, QTs, and JTs. Obviously AKs, AQs and sometimes AJs get raised frequently. From MP you will many times raise these broadway type suited hands. Suited connectors lower than say 98 only get played by me in LP if enough players are in. Kxs only gets played on the button if enough are in. Axs will get played in MP or LP only if enough are in, generally if I anticipate 4 or more. The worse the opposition, the fewer callers you need since they will likely chase too far and pay you off more often.

[Aces McGee]

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If the game becomes a bit more aggressive I'd fold KTs, QTs, and JTs.

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I'd play JTs before I played something like KJs.

Aces McGee

[Jezebel]

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I'd play JTs before I played something like KJs.

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Really?? You do realize JTs is dominated by KJs?

[Aces McGee]

Hmmm. A fair point. But I'm not looking to make top pair with JTs; I'm looking for straights and flushes.

What do others think?

Aces McGee

[Bob T.]

I usually play if it is one bet to me and I am in the CO or button and have Kx or Ax suited. With only one player in, especially if they play predictably on the flop, I will likely raise.

I complete in the small blind with any two suited, unless I am playing 3-6, and I call one raise out of the big blind with any two suited, if there is at least one other player in, and I am closing the action.

[Jonny_Ringo]

I guess what Aces brings up is really another part of my confusion. . . with lower and non-Broadway suited cards, am I even looking for pairing up? Or am I strictly looking for straights and flushes?

[ropey]

I'd much rather have 10Js in a multiway pot.

-ropey

[rkiray]

In HPFAP JTs is rated slightly higher than KJs. (they are in the same group but JTs is listed earlier in the group). I believe in one of the Poker Essay books Mason wrote that this is because JT will make more straights than KJ and neither hand is particularly good for its pair value.

[MaxPower]

If your highest card is lower than say a nine or ten and you flop top pair, it is very unlikely to hold up and your kicker isn't very good.

With suited connectors lower than JTs you generally want to flop a flush draw or straight draw (or a made hand). But it is complicated because they may be times you want to stay in the pot even when you don't flop a draw or a made hand.

The best thing would be to post some hands that you play and get feedback. You should post the ones where you are unsure of your play.

[BaronVonCP]

I definately agree with you. In a raised multiway pot, I'd play JTs in late postion almost always. KJs looses a little value because you are more likely against an KK or AK and all you can do is make a flush.

In an unraised pot, KJs starts to look pretty good.

That's one of the reasons I'm more likely to call with JTs in an earlier postion. I'm more comfortable playing that hand if it gets raised behind me.

[Jezebel]

But in an aggressive game, as stated in the original post, a multiway pot is less likely. Top pair with KJs is not a bad hand in a multiway pot. You can also bet a flush draw with more confindence. KJ makes nut straights as well, but not as many.

[Aces McGee]

Is the aggresive game you're talking about tight or loose?

If tight, than KJs is likely dominated itself. If loose, then I'd rather play JTs because it plays well multiway.

Aces McGee

[Nottom]

I'd take KJs in an unraised pot. JTs is probably easier to play if the pot gets raised.