Connector Leaks - Part 2 - Suited 1-Gappers

Ok, welcome to part 2 of this series. Next we're going to look at suited connecting hands with a gap of 1 between cards. What you will notice is that the gap makes it more difficult to hit straights. Let's take a look.

Suited Connectors (1 Gappers)
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(A,3)
A 2 3 4 5
Ace-Three Suited can make the nut flush but it can only fill 1 type of straight.

(4,2)
A 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6
Four-Two Suited can make a 4-high flush but it can only fill 2 types of straight.

(5,3)
A 2 3 4 5
2 3 4 5 6
3 4 5 6 7
Five-Three Suited can make a 5-high flush but it can only fill 3 types of straight.

(6,4)
4 5 6 7 8
3 4 5 6 7
2 3 4 5 6
Six-Four Suited can make a 6-high flush but it can only fill 3 types of straight.

`    
`   ` 
`   ` `
`   ` `
`   ` `
`   `  `
    ` `
     `

(Q,T)
8 9 T J Q
9 T J Q K
T J Q K A
Queen-Ten Suited can make a Queen-high flush but it can only fill 3 types of straight.

(K,J)
9 T J Q K
T J Q K A
King-Jack Suited can make a King-high flush but it can only fill 2 types of straight.

(A,Q)
T J Q K A
Ace-Queen Suited can make an Ace-high flush but it can only fill 1 straight.

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Conclusion 1:
Any suited 1-gapper below 53s has less than 3 ways to fill a straight.

Taking action:

We could remove the gapper 42s from our range. It is not a powerful hand and we know now that it has 1 less way to make a straight than other suited 1-gappers. A3-Suited needs to stay as it is a nut flush hand and also can complete a wheel draw. 53s+ can be played in good position, preferably limped in behind in multiway pots. But otherwise I am mucking these hands. These hands are good for concealing hidden monsters but they don't hit often enough for regular use.

Conclusion 2: 
Any suited 1-gapper between 53s and QTs can fill 3 different straights.

Taking action:

KJs and AQs can fill 2 straights and 1 straight respectively. Obviously we are not going to trim AQs out of our range as it is a powerful hand but we could play KJs a little less often. It is an easily dominated holding and is best played in good position as a drawing hand. Knowing that it has limited straight potential reminds us to play it sparingly.


Overall, suited 1-gapped hands are worse at hitting straights on average than suited connectors.


Ragequit