Pairs do best. Suited connected overcards (to opponent's door) are next best.
If your opponent has split Sixes, a strong hand, and you have (Q
)J
, you have six immediate outs to an overpair, 16 outs to a gapper or three-straight (which will also bring additional overcard pair outs) and two of those will make a cat-hop (three-card straight-flush). An overcard three-card straight flush beats unimproved one pair in Canadian with 25 cards, and you will have some semi-bluffs get through, especially if your opponent doesn't have a pair, but just an Ace in the hole.
Usually if your opponent breaks into an open pair you can fold confidently, so these hands are easy to play. Do not get involved with undercard unsuited connected cards as they don't have enough ways to win and your board won't be threatening enough to bluff. Concealed Aces are good as high-card hands and can often get action when you hit an Ace if your opponent started wired.
Aces are such powerful board cards that it is important to observe showdowns to see how your opponents play with an Ace on board or in the hole.
I think this game is great as a big bet game, especially no-limit, where it becomes a very pure poker game.