I would like to open a discussion up to reverse implied odds. In particular, preflop. It is easy to notice post flop reverse implied odds. However, it is very tempted after several limpers to limp on the button with 65s or something. But then if you have a flush you are rarely winning a big pot, but often loosing a big pot. A straigh or two pair+ might win us a big pot. But compare this to small or medium pairs that are easier to play and almost always win us a good size pot.

Now is a raised pot, I think the suited connectors in position have less reverse implied odds because the orginal raisers range is somewhat defined and we can crack them. On the other hands, we can also get combo draws and loose money chasing.

IT just seems correct to limp in position with these hands, but they don't seem to win as many big pots and you would think even when they hit. The higher suited connecters like QJ or J10 not as much but the smaller onces like 34 and 56 can be problematic.

Should we really be folding these hands in position? When stacks are deep enough or we get in cheap it seems right, but like I said it can end up costing us and ways that hitting sets do not.

When do we play and when don't we play these types of hands to minimize losses and maximize gains?

Suited connectors are some of the trickiest hands to play and require excellent post-flop skill, hand-reading, and discipline to lay down when beat. You're very correct that playing pocket pairs is much more straight-forward and less risky than playing suited connectors when they make their hand.

I'd recommend to any beginning player to fold suited connectors, even in position. More experienced players can play them but will have to play some poker after the flop.

You know what they say, don't go broke in a limped pot. When you join a limped pot with a speculative hand like suited connectors, you should be very aware that your flush or bottom-end of a straight or trips crap kicker or low 2 pair may be no good and play accordingly. Be on your guard and don't get too excited when that flush comes in. You're generally trying to flop a monster and isolate something like TPTK. You will fail to do this the vast majority of the time and need to be quick to give up. Nobody will blame you for folding these hands. After all 65s can be thought of as just 6-high.

I never play 43s, it's so close to the bottom that it's missing one of its straight possibilities. I only play 54s+.

Very good question and the answer is grey. It depends greatly on how well you play postflop.

The low SC (78s and below) carry horrendous RIO. If you cannot perceive when drawing dead postflop and fold, then dont play them preflop. Thats about as simple as it can be stated.

They will definitely lose huge pots but win much smaller pots except in a few rare case situations.

That's all that can really fit in a post. If people want to know more about reverse implied odds, I suggest reading the section in "The Theory of Poker" on the subject. The subject beyond that is too broad to discuss in a single thread.

Locked

If someone feels up to writing a long intro with example hands, theory, etc. This might actually make a good Concept of the Month subject. It could be discussed in one thread, it would just have to have a lot of the issues covered in the OP so that it would focus the discussion and cover the basics up front. If you're interested in trying that, please bring it up in the COTM scheduling thread. December is still open...