Explanation of Connector
In Texas Hold'em, a connector denotes a preflop hand where the two cards are arranged in a sequential order, such as 78 or TJ.
Connectors can come in two forms: they may either be suited or unsuited.
Although certain hands like 68 or T7 might sometimes be called connectors , they are usually described as 'gappers'. More specifically, these hands can be indicated as 'one-gappers' or 'two-gappers' according to how far apart the ranks of the cards are.
The concept of connectors is not exclusive to Texas Hold'em; it also appears in other poker games. For example, in Omaha, you can have a four-card connector like T987, but it's more commonly referred to as a 'rundown'.
In stud poker, during the third street, you might be dealt connectors like (89)T or (49)T, which can be termed as 'three-straights' or 'two-straights', respectively.
Example of Connector used in a sentence -> In Texas Hold'em, the power of connectors increases significantly when they are of the same suit.
Incorporating Connector into Your Poker Strategy
In every poker variant, hands that show connectivity are often considered to be 'speculative'. They may not have strong inherent value, yet they have the potential to develop into powerful hands, such as a straight. The allure of achieving a significant hand often leads players to favor conditions like:
1) Sufficient stack depth, allowing for good implied odds.
2) Engaging in multiway pots, which reduce the entry cost while enhancing the chances of winning a bigger payoff upon hitting a favorable hand.
See Also
Hold’em , Omaha , Stud , Gap , Implied-Odds