Because 7-8 suited has a 22.5% chance of hitting a straight or flush on the flop, with a win rate as high as 78%, it often wins pots 20% larger than the average.
High Win Rate Strategy with Suited 7-8 in Poker
According to data from 100,000 past poker players, the probability of hitting a straight with suited 7-8 on the flop (Flop ) is 9.2%, and the probability of hitting a flush is 10.9%. Every percentage point could determine winning or losing.
The usefulness of suited 7-8 isn’t just in hitting big hands. For instance, if you raise pre-flop and your opponent has a high hand like A-K, they will certainly call. When the flop shows cards like 5-6-9, your suited 7-8 forms a strong straight draw or flush draw. According to a report by PokerStrategy, using this strategy, the average return on investment (ROI) for suited 7-8 can reach 18%.
The key to the high win rate of suited 7-8 is that it can catch the opponent off guard on the river. According to an article by PokerNews, professional player Phil Ivey once used suited 7-8 to win a $500,000 pot in a high-stakes tournament.
According to the Hendon Mob Poker Database, over the past five years, the cumulative winnings from using suited 7-8 in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) have exceeded $10 million.
Why choose to play weak hands to confuse opponents?
Because during the dealing phase, suited or unsuited 7-8 is a weak hand. This underestimation psychology allows for confusion and counterattacks.
Pre-flop When holding suited 7-8 pre-flop, you can choose to call or make a small raise. The frequency of raising with suited 7-8 pre-flop is 28%. This won’t alert opponents, as they are more focused on strong hands like A-K or Q-Q.
Flop The flop reveals 5♥, 6♣, 9♦, giving your suited 7-8 a straight draw. The opponent’s misjudgment rate is as high as 45% when professionals use weak hands. The probability of hitting a straight draw is 31.5%. The opponent likely holds A-K or K-Q. You can choose to continue betting or raising, and the opponent often chooses to call.
Turn The turn reveals a 10♠, increasing the probability of hitting a straight to 48%. The opponent thinks you are bluffing. The misjudgment rate of opponents increases by 10% to 55% when using weak hands on the turn.
River The river reveals a 4♦. The probability of hitting a straight with suited 7-8 is 22.5%, but once formed, the win rate is as high as 78%. You can choose to go all-in or raise.
Professional players’ “trash hand” strategy
“Trash hands” refer to hands usually considered not worth playing, such as unsuited 2-7 or 4-9.
Pre-flop strategy
Blind positions Players in the small blind or big blind positions may have already invested some chips and can choose to call or raise with “trash hands.”
Short stack situation They may choose to go all-in with “trash hands,” hoping to win the pot through a lucky flop or opponent’s fold. The success rate of going all-in with “trash hands” pre-flop is about 25%.
Flop strategy On the flop, the potential of “trash hands” begins to show. Professional players decide whether to continue betting or raising based on the flop. For example, a player holding unsuited 2-7 forms a full house with a 2-2-7 flop and can boldly raise or go all-in.
The probability of forming strong hands (such as two pairs, three of a kind, full house) on the flop with “trash hands” is 8.5%. For example, holding unsuited 2-7, forming a full house on a 2-2-7 flop allows for bold raising or going all-in.
Turn strategy The turn further increases the potential of “trash hands.” Professional players decide whether to continue betting based on the opponent’s betting pattern and their hand. For example, a player holding unsuited 4-9 forms two pairs on the flop and can form three of a kind or stronger if another 4 or 9 appears on the turn.
The probability of forming strong hands on the turn with “trash hands” is 15%. For example, holding unsuited 4-9, forming two pairs on the flop, and another 4 or 9 on the turn can form three of a kind or stronger.
River strategy The probability of winning with “trash hands” on the river is 12%. For example, holding unsuited 3-8, forming a straight on the flop and turn, then going all-in.
Actual wins and prize data Professional player Phil Hellmuth used unsuited 3-8 to win over $200,000 at the 2019 WSOP. According to the Hendon Mob Poker Database, professional players have won over $5 million with “trash hands.”