Unsuited Connectors
Disconnect from Hand with Unsuited
Connectors
When
compared to big suited connectors, unsuited
connectors take a big hit and decrease your hand
substantially with the loss of a flush possibility.
Tread carefully, especially if you’re in early
position, before getting all fired up about how you’re
going to win the hand by hitting a straight on the
flop, turn or river.
Of
course, high unsuited connectors, A-K, K-Q,
etc., are playable to see if the flop reveals top pair
or two more cards that work toward a straight.
Raise liberally when holding this hand. With
the lower unsuited connector cards, 10 and below, the
absence of the flush possibility makes this hand hard
to play. Limping in with a minimal amount of chips, if
any, should be invested in the rare chance that you
hit a straight. And if nothing materializes by
fourth street
, get out of the hand.
What
do experts think of unsuited connectors?
Some
experts consider unsuited connectors less than J-10 a
trash hand and wouldn’t even bother. If you’re in
late position and holding unsuited connectors below
J-10, calling would be a gutsy move. Assuming it’s a
loose game and there’s plenty of action, that’s
all the more reason you should muck the hand. Even if
you do on rare occasion end up hitting the 7-8-9-10-J
straight, there’s always the flush to worry about.
And if you are have 10-9 unsuited and flop another 10,
there are still so many pairs that can beat you.
Depending on your personal preference, the exception
is if you are in the small blind and can get in with a
discount.
On
the same line, playing with an unsuited connectors 9-8
might be the most overrated hand in the game. A lot of
the less experienced players will take a chance on
this hand, when folding should be your first option,
unless you’re in a three-handed or heads-up game.
High-end
unsuited connectors like A-K , K-Q or Q-J offer a
different perspective because you’re looking to
score top pair or maybe trips down the road. Putting
together a straight becomes secondary. From any
position, these unsuited connector pairs are powerful
and considered just fine to raise with.
