But They Were Suited!
This was published 31-03-2008
Every new poker player loves to play suited cards. Whether it is K4 hearts, or 86 spades, sometimes having too suited cards can look very appealing to play. If this is you, STOP doing this!
If you want to play suited cards, wait for premium hands like AK, AQ, AJ suited, or not as premium, but still okay without a lot of risk AT (T=10), KQ, KJ, KT, QJ, QT, or even JT. Lastly, I don’t mind playing any 2 suited-connected cards (ie. 98 clubs, 76 diamonds, etc.) as long as you are in late position (one of the last to act, and there hasn’t been a whole lot of action before your turn. When you get these hands late I suggest making a raise to find out where you are in the hand (ie. if one of your opponents throws a massive reraise, you may be in trouble and should probably fold)
Here are some examples why certain hands might be a bad idea to get involved with pre-flop just because they are suited.
K5 suited (lets pretend spades for this example) – Sure, you have a great face card, but your kicker is garbage. If a flop comes with a King and your opponent is betting into you, its hard to call. You are forced to raise (which if called you are most likely in trouble) or fold. If the player holds Kx (where x is anything higher than a 5) you are way behind in the hand. Also, if the flop comes Js Td 7s and the player pushes you all in, do you really want to call of your stack on a 30% chance? And that 30% is based on the fact that he isn’t holding Ax spades which puts you at an even lower percentage. Think about it!
87 suited (in early position) – I love playing connected suited cards because when they hit, you can win some big pots, but the problem with these hands is they can be dangerous in early position (one of the first players to act). The reason for this is there are a number of players to act behind you, so if any of them raise, you will have to fold. Even if you do hit your flush with this hand, another player may have an even higher flush. Also, if you hit anything on a flop such as top pair, your opponents may easily have a better kicker or an over pocket pair that they slow played. Lastly, since there are more cards to come, you may get outdrawn on the turn or river.
As you can see above, playing suited cards may look attractive, but it can end up being very dangerous. Play your position, wait for strong hands, know your opponents, and raise to find out where you are in a hand, and you should have no problem succeeding in this game of poker!
