NonSuited in Loose games

[Norm]

Non suited cards below AQ and KQ are not doing the job for me, am I making a mistake even entering the pot with them? Is this a game of pairs, AXs, KXs, and suited connectors only?

[Brian]

Hi l12lowell,

Since you didn't mention any specific hands that are giving you problems and from what positions, I'll give you a quick rundown of how I generally play high unsuited paint:

AKo: You'll almost never be making a mistake raising this pre-Flop.

AQo: I almost always raise it pre-Flop except if I am in late position and there have been a number of limpers to me (5+), or if I am in the SB or BB and there have been a number of limpers to me.

AJo: If the game is really loose, I'll change my default play of almost always raising it to almost always limping with it. It is profitable in just about any position though.

ATo: Muck it in any position except late, and then generally only limp with it unless I am in one of those rare loose game situations where I'd raise with it, like for instance 2 awful limpers to me and I have the Button.

KQo: Pretty much the same as KQo. Limp with it, it's profitable from any position. Of course raise it on the Button or CO when theres 1 or 2 limpers to you.

KJo: Plays the same as ATo. Muck it in early and usually middle position, it's limpable and sometimes raisable in late position.

KTo: Auto-muck in any position pretty much.

QJo: I'll limp with it on the Button and CO, but I won't hardly ever raise it pre-Flop.

QTo: Auto-muck in any position.

JTo: Auto-muck.

-Brian

[Noodles]

Just about the way i play except
"QJo: I'll limp with it on the Button and CO, but I won't hardly ever raise it pre-Flop"
Wouldnt you raise it if folded to you on the button or CO?

[Brian]

Hi Noodles,

Yes, I would obviously raise it when folded to in the Button and CO. I didn't give any examples of what to do with these hands when folded to in the Button and CO for two reasons. 1, that rarely happens in a loose game, and 2, I raise with each and every single one of them.

-Brian

[riverunner]

I feel you on that. My low non-suited connectors have not done anything for me. I decided not to play anything less than JTo. It's just not worth it for me. But if you're playing short-handed I would play almost any connectors except 23o.

[Brian]

Hi riverunner,

I feel this is terrible advice. Low, non-suited connectors are garbage in any form of Hold'em, especially short-handed. JTo is also pretty much junk except in short-handed games, and even there it is pretty unspectacular.

-Brian

[scotnt73]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi riverunner,

I feel this is terrible advice. Low, non-suited connectors are garbage in any form of Hold'em, especially short-handed. JTo is also pretty much junk except in short-handed games, and even there it is pretty unspectacular.

-Brian

[/ QUOTE ]

exactly. in shorthanded nonsuited connectors are even worse than in full games. dont play them unless in the blinds and its not raised.

[Gravy (Gravy Smoothie)]

If it is folded to you in LMP or later, you should typically be openraising all of these hands as low as QJo.

[BugsBunny]

[ QUOTE ]
KQo: Pretty much the same as KQo

[/ QUOTE ]

I assume you meant "KQo: Pretty much the same as AJo"?

[Brian]

Yeah.

-Brian