Suited Connectors: The Goldmine of NLHE

[joyofpoker]

I always tell my students that if they learn how to play suited connectors well, they will prosper at NLHE. In the interest of giving back to the community that helped me so much, I will post a little hand that shows some suited connector theory.

Full Tilt Poker
No Limit Holdem Ring game
Blinds: $0.50/$1
5 players
Converter

Stack sizes:
UTG: $119.80
CO: $98.05
Button: $412.90
SB: $94.75
Hero: $12.15

Pre-flop: (5 players) Hero is BB with 2[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] 4[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]
2 folds, <font color="#cc0000">Button raises to $4</font>, SB folds, Hero calls.

<font color="blue">This is an obvious button steal situation from a huge stack. The best way to stop a bully is to vigorously defend your blind by calling. The best hand with which to do so is suited connectors. I have the most success with the black sc's at Full Tilt, spades and clubs, so this is an easy call for me. At Pokerstars, I do better with spades and hearts, so I might fold it there. </font>

Flop: A[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] 6[img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img] J[img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img] ($8.5, 2 players)
Hero checks, <font color="#cc0000">Button bets $7</font>, Hero calls $7.

<font color="blue">I feel the back door draws that I flop here justify a call. Plus, I play so well postflop that outplaying button from this point on in the hand is a strong possibility. </font>

Turn: 6[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] ($22.5, 2 players)
Hero checks, Button checks.

<font color="blue"> The 6 is a great card for me. The plan here is to rep the 6 with a check raise all in, with the fold equity that that play would have. However, villain doesn't cooperate as he just checks behind. </font>

River: 4[img]/images/graemlins/heart.gif[/img] ($22.5, 2 players)
<font color="#cc0000">Hero bets $1.15 (all-in)</font>, Button calls $1.15.

<font color="blue">My plan to represent the 6 here is still on the table. Most people advocate checking the river and hoping to get to showdown. I feel most regulars are able to lay down an ace here against me as they likely have a note on me that says "good player, avoid". So I bet it as strongly as I can, villain calls and shows... </font>

...KQ and my hand is good! So, as you can see, playing suited connectors WILL net you a profit at NLHE IF you are bold and aggressive with them in certain spots like I show above. I don't expect everyone to pick up this artistic style of play quickly where people stack off with King high, but hopefully a few will understand the theory behind this and be helped.

[Hugh Chardon]

haha

[SmokeyRidesAgain]

Hero missed like $87 of value amirite?

[rakemeplz]

you only put 1.15 when ahead

[Vega33]

[ QUOTE ]
I have the most success with the black sc's at Full Tilt, spades and clubs, so this is an easy call for me. At Pokerstars, I do better with spades and hearts, so I might fold it there.

[/ QUOTE ]

Great tip- thanks.

[ImsaKidd]

Stop posting you shortstacking POS.

[Imrahil]

I loled really hard at this.

[Chawklit Rain]

CHOOO CHOOOOOOOOOO

[sweetjazz]

Taking a shot at NL100? Glad to see you're running good, you're obviously ready for this game, the real question is when to take this strategy to NL200 and higher. Those fools won't know what hit them.

[ryang]

[ QUOTE ]
Stop posting you shortstacking POS.

[/ QUOTE ]