How To Play Small Connecting Cards Pre flop

Ask ten poker players how you should play small connecting cards pre-flop and you’ll get the same answer─ “It depends.” In fact, you’ll get that answer when ask how to play just about any hand pre-flop; even pocket aces. So much depends on the type of players you’re up against, the number of players sitting at the table, what kind of reads you have on those players, and your current position.

It takes skill to handle small suited connectors. When you place your bet, you know you’re going to the flop with a weaker hand than your opponent, so you’ll have to rely on your skill to outplay them. Here are some guidelines to help you play your suited connecting cards pre-flop in different situations. Keep in mind that all of these suggestions apply to low to mid limits. So you ask How To Play Small Connecting Cards Pre flop well let find out!

If you’re playing full ring games, forget about playing suited connectors in early position unless you’re playing against maniacs and you’re willing to gamble. There’s too much of a chance that someone in later position has a hand strong enough to crush you.

It’s a little different if you’re playing against maniacs. If you’re in a game with people willing to play top pair/low kicker to the felt, you might be able to play small suited connectors profitably if you can see a cheap flop.

Late position is a different story. If you have a tight image and there’s only one or two callers ahead of you, raise about three times the big blind plus one for every caller. For example, if the blinds are $0.50/$1 and you have two callers, raise it to $5. This strategy gives you a few ways to win.

First, you could win the pot pre-flop. Not a bad outcome for small suited connectors.

Second, you could get called and win on the flop with a continuation bet. For example, if the flop comes down 5-k-9 rainbow and it gets checked to you, you could place a bet about 2/3 the size of the pot and take it down.

Third, you could hit the flop and win big. Let’s say you raised in position with 3-4 of diamonds and the flop comes down 2-A-5. You could win a bundle if your opponent was set mining with pocket 2’s or 5’s or playing A-x.

You can play suited connectors from any position when you’re playing short-handed. You’ll play them the same way you played them in late position in full ring games. By playing this way, you add another opportunity to win big.

When you raise your suited connectors from early position, there’s a chance that someone with a big hand will just call, hoping to milk you on the flop. For example, you raise with 3-4 of diamonds and your opponent calls behind you with A-K suited. The flop comes down 2-A-5 rainbow. You can bet into your opponent all day long and they’ll call without realizing you have them crushed.

Small suited connectors take more skill to play than “real” hands, but they’re much harder for your opponents to detect. By learning to add these hands to your arsenal, you can add hundreds to your bankroll.