some basic questions about preflop hands+

[bigredhoss]

I know there's a lot of places that have a list of hands to play pf and they're all pretty much the same, there's just a few things I'm unsure about. Keep in mind this is for 3-4 tabling at party poker $25nl. My goal is to just slowly build up my br to the point where I can move to 50nl. I realize swings are inevitable but if possible I would like to lean towards less risk/less swings even if it means a slower profit. Anyway here's my questions:

1. Medium suited connectors (54s+) - is it ok to limp with these from any position assuming there's been no raising? I've been limping with these from everywhere except sometimes folding UTG, and in mid-late position calling any raise 3xBB or less.

2. Axs - same exact questions, I've also been playing these the same way.

3. small-medium pocket pairs - again, same questions

[Miffed22001]

pps call any position.
Call anything but really big raises imo which are often higher but marginal pps being protected in lp. Try not to get heads up, but dont go avoiding it. Its better to get have more people in the pot if you hit trips.
Ax
If suited Ax id call from probably anywhere, maybe call a reasonable raise but not a big one. Playing STRICTLY for a flush. If you hit aces you have to check if your x is low as you may be outkicked.
As for Ax unsuited i only play Ax where x>9 Simply means that more often you are not outkicked but really if you cant raise with your Ax due to position i wouldnt be calling with it.
Ugh suited connectors.
take your pick. Dont play them out of psoition. eg limp from lp, maybe mp but i wouldnt even consider playing from ep.

[Laeelin]

I limp with small pairs, and fold all the others.

The real danger of hands like 87s isnt that they are bad hands, it's that they are easy to lose big on (AT and KJ are other examples of hands like that.)

The worse thing that can happen to you in poker is to have 2nd best hand when you think you have the best hand.

I used to love limping with Axs for a flush, but I dont do that near as much now... the reason is that a flush is easy to see... Implied odds are not as good as with a set.

but Axs can be a great hand if your playing people that think J7s is the nuts when they hit the flush.

[Miffed22001]

Good advice.
The biggest holes i plugged were not playin Ax off unless i could raise and not playing mediocre hands in raised pots eg KJ, QJ.
Its too often dominated.

[Irisheyes]

You need position with suited connectors. I would suggest playing them only in CO or button. These are difficult hands to play well. I would even suggest folding them if you're 4 tableing. You'll be busy enough without them.

[WhooFleuryScores]

Check out Matthew Hilger's starting hand chart in Internet Ttexas Hold Em.His guideline will give you a VP$IP of around 20.00,and your PFR will be in the 5.0-7.0 neighborhood.

[Ltrain]

SSHE Tables are a great place to start, when you get your pocket cards ask yourself?

Will I get raised or not?
If I get raised what will I do? (ex. pocket 5's vs. KQs UTG against a raise or reraise are vastly different)
Do I want a lot of callers (suited connectors), or fewer players (AQo)?
Removing straights or flushes, will my two cards beat the limper/raiser's two cards?

As yourself these questions with the SSHE PF tables in front of you and you will be fine.

[JeffreyGB]

The biggest problem with playing Axs and small suited connectors from any position is that if someone raises, you're either giving away money or calling knowing that you're well behind. From a late position you are less likely to get raised and may be able to pick up the pot if no one before you hits the flop. That difference is often enough to make the difference between these hands losing money and making money.

[bigredhoss]

You need position with suited connectors. I would suggest playing them only in CO or button. These are difficult hands to play well. I would even suggest folding them if you're 4 tableing. You'll be busy enough without them.

i understand the part about needing position with suited connectors, but could someone elaborate on how they're more difficult to play?

[Ltrain]

example:

you limp in EP with 6,7s; 4 others limp. You hit 4 to your straight, but can't do anything because you have 4 others behind you. You check, Last limper raises, you don't have position so you may need to fold.

NOW, you limp at the button w/6,7s; 4 others limp in front of you. Same flop. If checked to you, you can decide to check to get a free card or raise to semi-bluff the pot down or see a free turn card when the callers check to you next round.

Same cards, same flop, better result.