Gapped Unsuited Connectors

Do you have that love-hate relationship with gapped unsuited connectors like so many of us?  Frequently I hear the "love" part of it at the poker table regarding these.  For example, Paul, the dealer, "loves" J/9, says it is his favorite hand.  Kevin, for reasons unknown, "loves" K/9 but only in cash games.  It is almost a stretch to call this connected as it will make only one straight (not counting using one card).  Others I hear as favorites are:  7/5, K/J (in a special category by itself), Q/10, and even 6/9...the happy meal.  I think that as responsible adults and poker players that we should examine these hands.

There are really different categories of gapped connectors.  1-gap, 2-gap, 3-gap.  I think that you would agree that the gap quantity makes a huge difference, but for different reasons.  First, let's look at  one gaps.

A/3
2/4
3/5
4/6
5/7
6/8
7/9
8/10
9/J
10/Q
J/K
Q/A

I would like to suggest that (extenuating circumstances notwithstanding), that most of these hands are garbage.  Beginning with A/3 you have a very weak ace.  I think you know the perils of playing this hand.  The 2 through 9 has the problem of needing to flop the "in between card" to form a straight (as do all of the one gappers).  But, they have the additional problem of never being assured of having the nut straight, plus the liability of low "high card strength".  Beginning with 10/Q we have the additional strength of high cards plus the ability to reach the nut straight.  However, the peril of these cards is simply the old problem of bad kicker.  How happy are you, really, when you flop the top pair with your hand and get a lot of action?  Unless it is A/Q, probably not so much.

What is a person to do?  Well, for starters I would suggest eliminating the unsuited one gappers below 10/Q from your repertoire.  They can always be played from the big blind, the small blind with tons of limpers, or from the button on a steal.  Otherwise, I think it prudent to avoid them.  And, when they are played, just make sure that you have the nuts or near nuts.

Now, let's explore the two gappers:

A/4
2/5
3/6
4/7
5/8
6/9
7/10
8/J
9/Q
10/K
J/A

Essentially, you have the same problem with 1 gappers.  You must flop perfect/perfect however for your straight, and it gets worse, you seldom have the nuts (though you can).  Again, high card strength trumps connectedness so the 10/K and J/A are playable under the right circumstances, with A/J third highest kicker with the ace.  We all have stories of monster pots won with these hands:  mine involves the lowly 3/6 which drug a huge 4/8 game pot against a set and two pair.  Also, you may recall my Vegas story of the folded K/10 which turned quads.  Most of the time, though, these hands are pretty unplayable.

Now, for the mother of bad hands:  the 3 gap connectors.

A/5
2/6
3/7
4/8
5/9
6/10
7/J
8/Q
9/K
10/A

We all recognize the inherent weakness of these hands, as only the A/10 can make the nut straight and with the exception of A/10 they are all pretty unplayable.  Even A/10 is right on the borderline of weak kicker territory.  What is ironic about these hands is how often you will be snapped by players who are playing the one or two gap connectors.  You get that "magic" flop of 2/3/4 playing your offsuit A/5 and get knocked out of the game by someone playing 4/6 who can't fold top pair, when the 5 hits on the turn, or worse, the player with 5/6 connectors who just lets you bet your sweet little heart out. 

So, since that knocks out a ton of hands we will be dealt in a session, next time around let's talk about suited gapped connectors. Just kidding!!!  They have the same problems plus they almost never make the nut flush!!!!!  Until next time, "May the nuts be in your hand, not surrounding you at the table" (a new saying I just made up for when I become a poker announcer replacing Norman Chad, who I can match for wittiness but perhaps not gayness).

Here is another analysis (a real one) of connectors: 

http://pokerstove.com/site/analysis/unsuited.php