The Value of Suited Connectors

Suited connectors are a unique class of hands in no-limit Holdem poker. They have the ability to win a big pot when hitting a flop hard – often in circumstances in which your opponents find it difficult to put you on a hand at all. However there are many pitfalls in playing suited connector hands, which often result in less experienced players losing money with them. This article looks at the value of suited connectors in various situations when playing no-limit Holdem poker.

We start by defining suited connectors, including ‘one gappers’. Next the ideal situation in which to play these hands is assessed, emphasizing position at the table and stack sizes. Next, how to get the best value from suited connectors after the flop will be covered and the importance of your opponent’s tendencies factored into the discussion.

Suited connectors are usually defined as hole cards which are the same suit and next to each other in rank, for example 6-7 of hearts or J-10 of spades. These holdings have the ability to hit straights and flushes on the flop – in addition to hands such as 2 pairs. The number of straights it will be possible to make depends on the cards being of ‘middle rank’, for example 3-4 of diamonds has fewer straight possibilities than 4-5. Suited cards which are a single rank apart are known as 1-gap suited connectors, hands such as 7-9 suited require a 8 on the flop to make a straight – reducing the chances compared to those connectors together in rank.
The ideal situation to get value from suited connectors is when it is cheap to see a flop in a multi-way pot. Here you are hoping that your small investment of limping in will be rewarded by hitting a monster hand which results in a big payoff. If you are in later position at the table there is a lower chance of someone yet to act raising before the flop, meaning that you can limp (or call a small raise) with more confidence that you can actually see a flop.

Stack sizes are a critical factor in deciding whether your suited connectors are playable. Since you will miss the flop the majority of the time, you will need to win a big pot those times you do hit a big hand. Ensuring that you have at least 20 times your initial investment in your stack (and that your opponents have the same or more) will leave you enough chips to win a big pot later in the hand.

Getting value from suited connectors after the flop will depend on several factors. This includes whether you hit a straight or a flush and the number (and tendencies) of opponents still in the hand – as well as your position in the betting order. Hitting a straight is often the best scenario, especially as opponents holding an over-pair will find it difficult to get away from their hands in many circumstances. While you should charge opponents to draw to a better hand you can be more confident in building the pot slowly with this holding.

Flopping a flush with a low suited connector leaves you vulnerable to a re-draw, for example from someone with an ace of your suit. These hands should be bet strongly on the flop – if a 4th flush card falls you may be in trouble if you wait until the turn. Position at the table will affect how you get value from your hand, when flopping a monster it may be possible to check-raise aggressive opponents when you are first to act – possibly even trapping one or more callers in the process.
If you flop a drawing hand such as 4 cards to a straight or flush then the tendencies of your opponents and your position are the critical factors. If you are last to act and see a raise and re-raise ahead of you then you may not have the odds to continue. If checked to then whether your opponents are aggressive, tricky or timid will help you to decide whether to take a free card or bet as a semi-bluff.

To summarize, the value of suited connectors is their potential to flop a monster hand and win a big pot after the flop. In order for this to happen certain conditions need to be met. The stack sizes of both you and your opponents need to be large compared to your initial investment. You need to be sure of seeing a flop (no raises behind) and your position and the tendencies of opponents need to make it possible to be paid-off those times you do hit a big hand.