I came here for a lesson. And they said I was playing ok, but could do with maybe playing suited connectors to loosen up a little. So I have been trying. Here's a hand you might care to take a look at for me...

Ultimate Bet No-Limit Hold'em, $.10 BB (10 handed)

UTG ($4.15)
UTG+1 ($21.65)
UTG+2 ($6.05)
MP1 ($2.25)
MP2 ($20.10)
MP3 ($10)
CO ($4.29)
Hero ($10.80)
SB ($2.95)
BB ($3.40)

Preflop: Hero is Button with , .
1 fold, UTG+1 raises to $0.35, 3 folds, MP3 calls $0.35, 1 fold, Hero calls $0.35, 2 folds.

Flop: ($1.20) , , (3 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.4, MP3 folds, Hero calls $0.40.

Turn: ($2) (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.6, Hero calls $0.60.

River: ($3.20) (2 players)
UTG+1 bets $0.8, Hero calls $0.80.

Final Pot: $4.80

I'll post what I think after everyone else says their piece...

Cheers,

Matt

Gotta raise that flop otherwise you're losing all value in playing suited connectors in the first place. You can win 1 of 2 ways. A.) Raise the flop, your opponents fold, you win the hand B.) You raise the flop, your opponents call, you take control of the hand, and actually hit your hand. When scenario B occurs, the raise also serves to build the pot so that you win more when you hit AND disguises your hand so that they don't believe you when you hit. I believe on a flop that strong for you, you've absoultely got to raise. However, the way you played it, I don't mind the call on the river, I don't really think you gain much by raising this river except to get yourself into trouble.

If you raise the flop, you just might get a free look on the turn. You might also take it down right there - his flop bet was weak. He probably has AK and missed completely. Hopefully it's not AK clubs...

Turn is another weak bet, so another opportunity to raise and take it down there.

River bet is another weak blocking bet. You need to raise him just enough that he'll look you up. Make it somewhere around $2 - $2.40.

OK, so what if his preflop raise meant JJ or QQ and he's just stringing you along? Well, raising the flop or turn would have told you that. Do you have any read on how your foe has played really big hands in the past?

Not raising that flop makes baby Jesus cry.

Raising that flop accomplishes:
1) You are ahead of most hands. You have 15 outs (although not all pure) which is about 55% favorite. Raise to build a pot.

2) Raise for information. His 1/3 bet into that pot is ambiguous. Raise to find out how much he likes his hand.

3) Raise because all others might fold. Take it down now without having to hit your draw.

4) Raise to force out other flush draws. Not as likely but a guy with 2[c] 3[c] might fold to a hefty raise.

5) Raise so you don't have to make difficult river decisions wondering where your opponent is. Make your stand on the flop.

6) Raise because it gives you credibilty when you raise to take down a pot and have nothing.

The list can go on and on.

i don't mind the calls. opponent's bets are so tiny. if he's the loose/passive type, he'll likely give you a good price on the turn (and as long as the board doesn't pair, you can call up to pot on the turn), not to mention your fold equity is questionable (even if he doesn't have AA ). i love having the straight outs here b/c if an offsuit 8 comes, opp will never see it coming...so i'm fine w/ just sitting back against a passive opponent and trying to hit it for cheap.

i dont see a problem with the flop call. you're getting 4:1 immediate pot odds...and are around 2:1 to hit on the turn. same deal with the turn call. i like raising on draws....but when you're getting correct pot odds....there's nothing wrong with just calling sometimes either. you do have to at least raise the river when you hit, though. why no raise?

jon