Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

K of hearts4 of hearts

Weak suited King-high hand

King-Four Suited

K4s is still a weak King-high hand, but the suited combination can make a flush and has more backdoor coverage than K4o. Its four kicker remains vulnerable when it makes top pair, while the gap to the King gives it little direct straight potential. Prefer late position or a priced Big Blind defence. At deeper stacks, avoid large pots with one pair, at shallow stacks, follow the relevant chart.

Pocket33

How to play K4s by position and stack size

Recommended actionUTG8-maxUTG18-maxLJ6-maxHJ6-maxCO6-maxBTN6-maxSB6-max
100bb+FoldOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenLimp
40-100bbFoldOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenLimp
27-40bbFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenOpenLimp
20-26bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
16-19bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
11-15bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenJam
7-10bbFoldFoldFoldFoldJamJamJam
6bb-FoldFoldFoldFoldJamJamJam
Open when:Charted branches, including marginal early opens at depth

K4s is much more frequent after UTG, while suitedness alone does not justify an open in every band.

3bet when:Rarely as a blocker bluff

The line needs fold equity and a plan for the likely fold after a call.

Call when:Big Blind versus late position at a good price

Suitedness helps, but one-pair domination still limits realisation.

Jam when:Only in a chart-specific short-stack branch

Effective stack and position decide whether fold equity is enough.

Fold when:Facing early action or a large 3-bet

Better Kings dominate its top pair and weak pairs do not compensate.

Strong against

K of spades3 of spades
K3s

K3s shares the King but has the weaker kicker, making a dominated pair that can still pay K4s.

Weak against

  • K of spades5 of spades
    K5s

    K5s shares the King with the better kicker, so K4s can make a costly second-best pair.

Flop classes

A of spades8 of spades2 of hearts
Four-card flush draw

With K♠4♠ on A♠ 8♠ 2♦, K4s has a flush draw. Continue according to price, position, and implied odds.

K of spades9 of hearts3 of hearts
Top pair

On K♣ 9♦ 3♥, K4s has top pair with a weak kicker. Check more often than you bet for value.

6 of spades5 of heartsA of hearts
Backdoor straight draw

On 6♣ 5♦ A♥, K4s can make a straight only through a specific turn-and-river sequence. Treat it as backdoor equity.

Q of spades9 of hearts7 of hearts
Complete miss

On Q♣ 9♦ 7♥, K4s has King-high with no flush draw. Check-fold often.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Fold by default. The suited draw does not justify defending against a strong range without the right price.
  • Keep 4-bet bluffs rare and chart-dependent. A call leaves K4s with difficult reverse-implied-odds spots.
Post-flop playability
  • With two same-suit hole cards and two matching flop cards, K4s has a four-card flush draw. It can continue against suitable sizing, but it is not a made flush.
  • A King pair is a pot-control hand, especially at 100bb effective. Better Kx hands dominate it.
  • The four and King do not create a normal open-ended straight draw. Look for backdoor improvement rather than forcing a bluff.

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