65s from CO, first in — fold, call or raise?
The answer
Raise
open-raise
The math: The cutoff chart includes low suited connectors down to 54s. 65s is a standard open.
Why
Only the button and blinds remain, so 65s has enough steal equity to raise. When called it can flop strong, disguised draws and will often play in position. Open 2.5bb; do not confuse a low rank with a hand that lacks playability.
The spot
- Your seat
- CO
- Stakes and stacks
- $1 / $2 · 100bb
- Your hand
- 6♠ 5♠
- Board
- Preflop — no board yet
- Pot
- POT · $3
- Action on you
- Folds to you
Every option
Foldgive up the hand
Why not: Six-five suited is inside this cutoff range. Folding it gives up a profitable steal with a hand that can flop disguised straights and flushes.
Calllimp in
Why not: Limping hands the initiative away and lets both blinds see a cheap flop. The charted action is an open-raise, not a limp.
Raiseopen-raiseCorrect
2bb · $4 · 2.5bb · $5 · 3bb · $6
The idea behind it
Late position adds steal equity and postflop position to suited connectors. In this simplified chart the cutoff can open even the low connected hands, down to 54s.
Concept: Suited connectors
Terms in this spot
Play it instead of reading it
The trainer deals this hand with hints, grading and spaced repetition — and randomized variations of it once you have seen it.