How to Play Suited Cards (Poker)
The way players play two cards of the same suit is another example of cards that are over rated by low limit hold'em players. These cards in addition to suited connectors lead players into trouble as players dream of making the flush, straight or straight flush on the flop. You should have a strategy so that you are clear how you want to play them, what you want to play and when. Having 2 cards of the same suit only raises your chance of winning by about 2-3 percent so as you can see this is not a great increase. Lets look at an example. You hold 6 8 Clubs and you are up against big slick (AK).
Playing 2 cards of the same suit you will win just under 39% of the time. Were you to hold a 6 8 off suit, the 6 8 would win only 36% of the time, a 3 percent drop. Much like small pairs, you need to improve your hand if you are to win the pot. With suited cards you hope to either make 2 pair or hit a flush, so the same rule applies that you should try to get lucky on the flop and win a big pot. If you don't get a favorable result on the flop, fold your hand and wait for a flop that you hit. As you are a 39% when up against 2 over cards in your opponents cards you should not be committing lots of chips to see the flop. The reason for this is that you will loose more pots than you win.
What happens if you play 20 pots trying to hit a flush and miss 19 times? What happens if you get no action on the time hit? If this is a tactic you use, you might consider having a rethink as this will be why you are likely loosing money.
For suited cards to be profitable, you must get in cheap and win big. Player notes are available on most online poker sites. Make use of them, in particular notes on those players who win lots of hands with average hands like small pocket pairs of suited cards. By making a note on the player you will know when you come up against them that they like to play these cards. Also make a note of how aggressive they were with them.
Another thing to remember is that you are only seeing the cards that they win with, you are not seeing the endless flops, turns and river cards that they chase in hope of catching a dream flush or set or better. Similarly there will be players who call with Ace high suited on the river just in case you are bluffing. Mark these people, they will lose more than they win in the long run and again if you are one of these people, you need to get away from this as it will be costing you profit.
Every session that you take part in there will be those players who, chasing dreams, catch more than their fair share of cards. You should still learn to play suited-cards the right way. If you are getting in to see a cheap flop you have a good chance to make money as there could be someone slow playing a big hand and they will find it hard to fold, even in light of a possible flush.
The Rule When Playing Suited Cards
Do not be tempted into big pots with suited cards if you don't hit on the flop. The odds are such that you will lose more than you win in the long run. The only time that you should consider it is if you have a straight draw and a flush draw on the flop. This situation will give you more outs and is worth a call providing you are not putting all your chips in to find out. As a general rule you should bet big when you have the best hand. Betting wildly on draws will often lead you into trouble.
Related Guides:
Playing Small Suited Connectors Pre Flop
Playing Small Suited Connectors Post Flop
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