Virtual Poker Coaching

Hey guys,

A lot of Sit and Go players have trouble playing suited connectors
before the flop, and it’s understandable. The hand gives you great
potential, but if you overvalue and overbet it, it can cost you a
large portion of your stack, and potentially the tournament. Below
are some basic guidelines to follow when playing suited connectors.

- Suited connectors should be played primarily during the early
stages of a Sit and Go. During the low blinds, you can get
excellent pot odds with many players limping in.

- Fold to any strong raise coming in pre-flop. Raises coming from
early positions tells you that they have a stronger hand.

- Limp in from late positions. This will decrease the chance of a
raise from someone acting after you, but will let you get away
from the hand if someone does.

- If you hit your straight or flush on the flop, bet it aggressively
to prevent someone from outdrawing you.

- If you miss on the flop, but get a four card flush, or a straight
draw, call any small bets that are still giving you the correct
odds, but fold to any serious betting, especially if the board is
paired.

- Know when to let the hand go. You’re looking for a straight, flush,
full house, 3 of a kind, or two pair to stay in. If you hit a pair,
even if it’s top pair, but have no drawing potential, let the hand
go.

Just like everything else in poker, these guidelines have exceptions.
Knowing how and when to play suited connectors can help make you a
more profitable player, but can also cost you a lot if you are not
familiar with them. Suited connectors are a hand that takes time to
get a feel for, and requires you to be able to read opponents. Do
not play suited connectors if you don’t feel comfortable with them.
It is always better to fold a hand you’re unsure about then to try
playing it without knowing how.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for topics, send
me an email at virtualpokercoaching(@)gmail.com.