Connectors
Two hole cards of consecutive rank, such as 8-9 or J-Q. "Suited connectors" are the same suit and have more value.
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What Is Connectors?
Connectors have strong straight-making potential since they can flop an open-ended straight draw or complete a straight more easily than disconnected cards. Suited connectors add flush potential on top of straight potential, making them valuable speculative hands that play well in multiway pots and can win large pots when they connect strongly with the board. While connectors rarely make a strong hand on the flop, their implied odds and disguise value make them popular choices for speculative preflop calls and steals, especially in position.
Examples
A hand of 8-9 suited flops an open-ended straight draw on a board of 6-7-2, along with a backdoor flush draw.
Suited connectors like J-10 suited can flop top pair, a straight draw, and a flush draw simultaneously on a favorable board.
Strategy Tips
Play connectors, especially suited ones, more aggressively from late position where you can realize their implied odds and disguise value against opponents. Avoid overplaying connectors when out of position or facing significant preflop aggression, since they need to hit the flop strongly to have much value. Prioritize suited connectors over offsuit ones when choosing speculative hands, due to their added flush potential. Recognize the strong implied odds connectors offer when they do connect well, since disguised straights and flushes can win large pots from opponents holding top pair or overpairs.