Connectors

[Concussed]

Is a 9 6 classed as a connector ?
Is it a good hand to play from early and/or late position ?
Does it matter if its suited ?

[MasterShake]

96 is a junk hand. You ALMOST never want to play it from any position. It needs two cards to hit in the middle (78) in order to make a DRAW. If it's suited you're screwed also because someone could easily have the same suit with a higher kicker. Even in last position (the button) this hand has little value unless EVERYONE folds behind you and you are almost certain a raise will make the big and small blinds fold.

[shorn7]

Well, I will disagree with Master assuming a few conditions. 96 is not a connector in the traditional sense...the cards need to actually be connected to be considered that (T9, 87, etc.). However, in a loose NL game, I will often splash around with 96 in the cutoff or on the button if it is suited. The key here is that you need to make sure you don't continue with it after the flop unless you hit your hand twice. You can't ptofitably play it if you will lose money when you hit top pair.

So, the bottom line is that it is a very situational hand that you need to be careful with.

[Concussed]

What do u mean by "in the cutoff" ?

and, "unless you hit your hand twice" ? please

If i had 9 + 6 Suited, and on the button, and 7+8 came on the flop, should i call, or fold (generally speaking)

Thanks for any advice in advance.

[mooseontheloose]

What do u mean by "in the cutoff" ?

and, "unless you hit your hand twice" ? please

If i had 9 + 6 Suited, and on the button, and 7+8 came on the flop, should i call, or fold (generally speaking)

Thanks for any advice in advance.

Cutoff is the position to act last before the button, so directly to the right of the dealer.

What he meant about "hit twice" (I assume) is that unless the flop gives you an open-ended straight draw, three 6's, three 9's, two pair or a flush draw you are pretty much done with the hand. He means, don't get attached to the hand with top pair, you'll lose money.

[MasterShake]

Well, I will disagree with Master assuming a few conditions. 96 is not a connector in the traditional sense...the cards need to actually be connected to be considered that (T9, 87, etc.). However, in a loose NL game, I will often splash around with 96 in the cutoff or on the button if it is suited. The key here is that you need to make sure you don't continue with it after the flop unless you hit your hand twice. You can't ptofitably play it if you will lose money when you hit top pair.

So, the bottom line is that it is a very situational hand that you need to be careful with.

A connector is any two cards that can make a straight on the flop. 96 is a two gap connector. I just don't see value in 96 unless the odds are fantastic to call or I can steal with it.

[UtrechtSlim]

They only connect in the sense that its nicknamed the Big Lick, a hand I religiously tried to win with when I was a spring chicken. Ceteris paribus, or saying this is the first hand of any game played, I would throw them into the muck without a second thought. Suited or unsuited..

[shorn7]

I am certainly not advocating routinely making this play. But, this type of hand can turn into a well disguised monster with the right flop. If the price is cheap or the money is really deep (and their are loose players in the hand with deep money already), I will play this hand in LP to try and catch.

Moose had my thoughts correct...hit the hand twice means exactly what he said. Don't get married to this hand after the flop without a big draw or a made hand better than top pair.

[UrAteUp]

96 is what the term a 1 gapper or gapper. Playing hands like these out of position is just asking to give away chips.


Concussed after reading this post and one other you made...let me offer a small suggestion...go grab a copy of Leee Jones book Winning Low Limit Holdem. This book will explain alot about position, odds and starting hands to play.

[craggoo]

This is my favorite hand next to 10 8. Am I playing too loose?

[xhi]

This is my favorite hand next to 10 8. Am I playing too loose?

Certainly not!! BTW there is a seat open at my table.