Connectors
Connectors are hold'em starting hands containing two cards that are consecutive in rank.
The simple explanation
Connectors are two cards in a row, for example jack-ten or eight-seven. They give you straight chances after the flop.
A closer look
Some players also include one-gap hands among the connectors, while others call those gappers. Connected hands are most valuable when suited, because they add flush chances to the straight chances. Their value depends on how deep the stacks are and how many players are in the hand. High connectors such as king-queen make fewer straights than middle ones, and they are often dominated by ace hands.
A practical example
A player holds 8♥ 7♦ before the flop: they are connectors.
Full explanation
Connectors are hold’em starting hands containing two cards that are consecutive in rank.
Connectors are starting hands with two cards that are one rank apart. Examples include jack-ten, eight-seven and five-four.
They have good potential to make straights, particularly in multiway pots where the opponents are likely to put in more chips.
Suited connectors are stronger because they add flush chances to the straight chances.
Because connectors rarely make a pair, they usually win only when the board helps them.
Consecutive ranks make connectors
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
A holds 7♠6♠ and B holds 9♣8♦. Both hands are connectors because their ranks are consecutive. A’s connectors are suited; B’s are offsuit.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
A holds 7♠6♠ and B holds 9♣8♦. Both hands are connectors because their ranks are consecutive. A’s connectors are suited; B’s are offsuit.
- Player A BTN / SB 77 of spades (7s)66 of spades (6s) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 99 of clubs (9c)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.