Well, I finally was able to bust the guy against whom I had the quad eights night before last. Our stacks actually weren't unusually deep here, but, mainly because that's a topic I've been thinking about a lot lately, I'd like to draw some conclusions concerning deep-stack play. In fact, I only have around $600 in chips, as does my opponent.

I limp in MP with 6c5c. I should add that our table has gotten a bit better, I think largely because the completely foolish players have run out of money, so we've now got some fish who don't care much about money (mainly of the calling station type) and otherwise mostly at least decent players, who have some idea of how to play this game. So, I've become much more confident in playing my suited connectors (I think they become much stronger hands against opponents who at least have some level of skill).

So, anyhow, SB raises to $25, which for him normally represents JJ or better. I think he'll also make this raise on AK/AQ (and, as this hand will show, I can also add another one to the list, but I don't think that's by any means standard). What's really important here is that there is absolutely no question that this player has big cards. In any case, I call, as do 2 other players. Flop comes 654. Obviously some dangers for me, but the raiser is the one player in the hand who is absolutely no threat.

Checked to me, and I bet out pot. LP folds, and, to my complete astonishment, raiser moves in for his entire stack (I'm just LOVING my hand now). Easy call for me, and he turns over KQo (!!!).

Well, I'd been really waiting to bust this guy for 4 sessions, so I was pretty happy on this one. I knew he was buying some pots, but really didn't figure he would make a move quite that insane. I figured he at least had a big pair here (and JJ looks just as good as AA). I guess what he thought was that I had something like 88 and would fold (as I would have with 88) after betting a big chunk.

Some analysis, though, relevant to deep stacks, particularly among good players (this guy isn't actually quite as bad as it looks in this hand): My whole play here becomes incredibly easy because I know I can put him on big cards. I'm obviously in deep trouble against 87. And, having been on the other end holding AA, this is a real problem for a deep stack with a big pair.

Again, here, we didn't really have terribly deep stacks (although it was a very big pot by my own standards), but, if I can put the raiser on big cards, I'll make that call every time. Hence, against opponents with very deep stacks and capable of big bluffs, one conclusion I draw is that you're really not wanting to stack them with your AA/KK (unless you can get the whole thing in PF with AA). Another is that it's very much worth considering raising (whether routinely or occasionally--I know ice has experimented around with this on suited connectors) with suited connectors and possibly also little pairs--again with a raise completely consistent with your AA raise.

On these small, deceptive hands, I think you're actually devaluing them against medium to short-stacks. I think it's probably a good play (I think this is what the one LAG who's dangerous over at the other casino is trying to do) only at tables where you feel like your big pairs are getting attacked more than they should be and where stacks are very deep. What you're looking for is taking some small losses to set up huge plays against deep stacks who now assume you must have big cards when you raise.

Does this make any sense at all? I feel like this idea isn't entirely ripe yet, and I'm not at all prepared to do it yet, simply because the game isn't so difficult as to require that kind of play. But I do feel like I'm onto something here, even if I haven't got it quite right yet.

I have been messing around a lot with the suited connectors. Its one of the big differences I have found between limit and NL, how this hands can really break someone so they become profitable if played smart. I like to make raises with these hands just to mix things up, especially if I have been playing quite tight and conventional. I truely believe the skill is in recognising the relative value these hands hold once the flop hits and putting yourself into the opponents head.

I am not sure the degree to which stacks can affect the play, though I think I grasp what you mean about big pairs. I would say the small suited have more surprise potential though when it comes to breaking someone. Raising just muddies the water more.

Well thats my 2 cents though I am still forming my thoughts on the whole thing.

Rich