[jcl]

Suitedness makes an ENORMOUS DIFFERENCE. You can't just take the 'hot and cold' percentages because who here gets it all in preflop with 76s frequently? Similarly, 22 is never better than 50/50 vs anything when run hot and cold but it is a much better hand than KJo in actual play.

The reason for this is easy. Say you open ATo and get a caller on the button. The flop comes KJ5 with 2 hearts and you make a continuation bet (an ill-advised one at that). The button raises you. You fold.

Now let's say you have ATs (hearts). You make your c-bet, the button raises, you shove. You either win the pot or have at least 12 outs and possibly 15. The difference in profit will be enormous and MUCH larger than 2 or 3%.

Similarly, say you are the button boy and have a raise to you. If I looked down at 97o I'd instant muck without a second thought whereas 97s would almost be an instant call. Now say the flop comes down K72 with 2 hearts. You'd have to fold to a second barrel here a lot of the time with 97o while 97s can be played aggressively either on the flop or on the turn.

So how much does suitedness matter? LOTS!