In a previous strategy article, I talked about how many players over-value suited hands. After all when you hold two suited cards, your suit will appear by the river a little less than 6% of the time. Typical, that’s not enough added value to play…

But now I’m going to talk about opposite, not giving enough value to suited hands. Although, not as costly a mistake as over-valuing, it can potential cost you very large pots. Often, when there is only three to a flush on the board, players with top pair or better will feel confident about betting and therefore you can potentially when large pots. So, while you usually won’t make the flush, when you do, you can really get it pay off… especially if you hold the nuts or near nuts. However, in a large multiway pot, that small edge is enough to turn an unprofitable play into a profitable play.

Being suited also gives you other advantages. Suited hands have more value on the flop than offsuit hands. For instance, one pair (even top pair) is often vulnerable to draw outs, but a pair plus a flush draw is always strong. You can therefore bet more aggressively and play stronger after the flop. It can mean the difference between you bettting or raising as opposed to checking and folding.

The opposite though is also true, if you are in a multiway pot with marginal offsuit hands, you are usually at a serious disadvantage because it is very likely that someone will have a potential flush draw. This is a hard advantage to overcome. Hands like Qh-10d and Ac-6s against six or more opponents, grant someone a serious advantage and should be folded. An offsuit hand in a multiway pot like that would need to be exceptionally strong like Ah-Qd or better to play.

Let’s keep in mind though, that my previous article still stands. You should fold weak suited hands like Jh-6h or 8s-4s. These are weak hands in nearly all situations. Do NOT waste your money, unless of course you’re at my table.

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