[lork]

I play $2-4 limit HE at a local club. The games tend to be loose/passive. I know the standard suggestions for opening play, but seem to pick up quite a number of suited cards.

In a loose game, do I play them? Any guidelines I should think about? What about connecters?

[petronder]

Junk cards are junk, even if they're suited. You will see quite a few suited holed cards, it's something like 2.5:1 or 3:1 against getting two suited cards preflop. Suited connectors can be played if you can get in cheap and if you can get away from them unless you catch a flop you really like.

A made flush flops less than 1% of the time that you have 2 suited cards and its about 8:1 against flopping a four-flush if you have 2 suited cards. Of those times that you get the four-flush, it's about 2:1 against completing it. Basically, 2 suited cards end up as a flush about 6% of the time. So just because cards are suited, don't give yourself excuses to play them just to chase the flush potential. They're a waste of money.

[ballen]

If you check over in the advanced forum I started a topic on what hands, if any (besides small connecting cards), should be played only when suited. It's a decent discussion and has some good ideas of what effect suitedness has on certain hands. But Benzine is right, the odds of getting a suited hand are 3.5:1, so they aren't rare; junk is junk and in most cases, a hand that you'd toss if it was offsuit should be tossed if it is suited.

[razor]

My take on the situation is that you shouldn't get involved with 2-suited hand trying for a flush draw except if certain specific conditions are met.

First, you should have suited connectors (or sometimes single-gap connectors) so you have a shot a a straight or a flush. You should only play them in a hand that you know will be multi-way so that if you do hit it, you will be paid-off well. And you want to get to see a flop as cheaply as possible. Therefore, you should only be considering this from a late position.

[lork]

Thanks for the info. I should mention that I play in 10 player games in which 5-7 players usually stay for the flop and there are often 3-5 who stay to see the river. Although I wouldn't call it a particularly aggressive game, there is usually a lot of cash in the hand.

[DeepBlue]

I wouldn't want to play those with 3-5 seeing the river. If you could narrow it down to 1 or 2, then they can have some worth, particularly if you make a flush on the river and there are high cards on the board, but in a loose/passive game, many people may well be playing suited cards, putting people in similar situations as you. They have a higher card in hand and you're out.

[louis]

Not in a loose game. In a tight game, I would happily play high suited cards, but in a loose game everyone is playing those, and if you come out with lower suited cards than someone else you've already lost if a flush hits the board.

Sounds like there are just too many people seeing the flop, the turn and even the river. Either grab the bull by the horns and make them pay big to see cards or stick to premium hands only.

[Chi_Town]

The "junk is junk" comments are right on... one note is: Sutied connectors want passive play on the flop and after as well. If you pick up a draw, you don't want to have to pay too much to see the turn and river. So, if you can count on a bunch and checking and small calling, you are OK to play for the draw with the suited connectors. Whereas pairs looking for trips want passive play pre-flop so you get the odds you need, then aggressive play on the flop, so you either let it go easy, or get paid when you do make the set.

Also, only play 1 or 2 holers with the suited connectors if you have a face card in there... preferrably a K or Q (3 holers cannot make the nut straight so don't get too fond of these unless it is ATs).