Pairs or connectors

[IrishDave]

Read somewhere once that the average winning hand is two pair which is probably about right except that they never win for me. I'm getting to the point that I would much rather play connectors (suited preferably) over anything but the largest pocket pairs. I can't begin to count how many times I've made a set (or trips) and lost to the straight or flush. The connectors I've had the best luck with have been 9-10 and Q-J.

Makes you sick when you think about the number times you have 2 pair and then the flush or straight "maker" hit the board. Hate this situation as you cannot really convince yourself to fold the top 2 pair nor can you beat the straight or flush. It's gotten to the point that I grimace whenever I get a pocket pair...

 

[Crippler450]

Well if you seem to lose really often on the set or trips, you might need to just bet more to run those chasers off. I like playing pairs much more than connectors because i know after the flop what situation i'm in. If I hit trips I feel confident, and if not, and there are a few overcards, I wont risk too much. With connectors, you're gonna find youself chasing and waiting for your straight and seemingly never getting it.

 

[IrishDave]

I play mostly limit games for cash and as such you can't really get rid of the chasers. In pot or no limit this is certainly a good strategy. I should have clarified that this was primarily for limit games...

 

[m_forys]

suited connectors have almost an 80% chance of pairing or flush or straight coming into the flop.

Lets say Jc 10c...

6 cards for a straight up and down, four of each card.
XXX10JXXX

11 clubs left in the deck.

3 Jacks
3 tens

That totals 41 possible outs. You know two cards pre flop, so your implied odds are 41/50. This is why the pros play this hand so much. If anyone sees an error in my math let me know.

Matt

 

[tenbob]

WOW i wish