Playing Pairs & Suited Connectors in Texas Holdem

Unlike the premium hands, pocket pairs and suited connectors have to be played differently according to the situation that you will find yourself in. Because of this fact, you will need to be well acquainted with the basic facts of using these particular hands.

The first thing that you will need to realize concerning these hands is that their value will depend heavily on the circumstances. Unlike AA, KK or AQ, whose worth can be determined quite easily, the same cannot be said of pocket pairs and suited connectors. That is something your Texas Holdem strategy has to reckon.

Something else that you will have to consider with regards to pocket pairs is that for the most part, when you hold a pair in a multi way pot, your chances of winning the game when you flop the set is very good. Thus, it will rarely matter if you are holding a 33 or a pair of tens. If you get the set in the Texas Holdem flop, you have the inside track.

The reason is that with a lot of players in the pot (usually seven or more) the odds of somebody picking up another set is remote. Another benefit of playing the pocket pair is that if your opponent is holding an Ax or Kx and he sees another Ace or King on the flop, he will think that he has the best hand. After all, with a board like K37, your Texas Holdem opponent will never suspect your 333.

When playing suited connectors, you would do well to remember the following; the first is that they are always a better option that connectors, because if your Texas Holdem hand is suited you can go for the flush if you miss the straight.

As with pocket pairs, suited connectors are best played with lots of players in the pot, because drawing will be cheaper. As with pocket pairs, hitting the straight or flush draw will often pay you off well, because usually there will be second best hands in the pot.

Finally, your Texas Holdem strategy for playing both pocket pairs and suited connectors will always include folding, because they are quite easy to do, unlike when you are holding AAs or KKs.

Pocket pairs and suited connectors in Texas Holdem are not as difficult as it may seem. They have numerous options, true, but consider these as something that will benefit you. Analyze the table you are in, and you will see how profitable these hands can be.