Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

K of heartsT of hearts

Playable suited broadway

King-Ten Suited

KTs is a playable suited broadway with useful board coverage, blocker value, and straight/flush potential. It is not a premium hand, and it remains vulnerable to domination by AK, AQ, and stronger king-high broadways.

Pocket33

How to play KTs by position and stack size

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100bb+OpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpen
40-100bbOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpen
27-40bbOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpen
20-26bbOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenLimp
16-19bbOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenLimp
11-15bbOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenOpenLimp
7-10bbJamJamJamJamJamJamJam
6bb-JamJamJamJamJamJamJam
Open when:Standard late-position and many middle-position spots

KTs gains value from its suit and T-J-Q connectivity, especially when position can realize those draws.

3bet when:Selected wide opens or blind-pressure spots

It can make a pressure-leaning or value-leaning 3-bet against wider ranges.

Call when:Good price in position or from the blinds

Continue for the suited flush routes and ten-high straight coverage when the price is right.

Jam when:Very shallow stacks in selected tournament spots

KTs can turn its king blocker into a shove, but its ten kicker makes the range and ICM conditions important.

Fold when:Tight ranges or strong 4-bet pressure

The suited draw potential is not enough when tight ranges contain AK, KQ, and premium pairs.

Strong against

K of spades9 of spades
K9s

K9s shares the King but has the weaker kicker, making a dominated pair that can still pay KTs.

Weak against

  • A of spadesK of spades
    AKs

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

Flop classes

K of hearts8 of spades2 of hearts
King-high board

KTs makes a king pair with a ten kicker on K♦ 8♠ 2♥. Its suit adds indirect possibilities compared with KTo, but KQ, KJ and AK still demand pot control.

Q of spadesJ of heartsT of spades
Broadway boards

Q♠ J♥ T♠ gives KTs top pair with a king kicker. When its suit matches the two spades, it also has a flush draw. KQ and stronger hands remain ahead.

T of spades8 of hearts4 of spades
Ten-high boards

T♠ 8♦ 4♣ gives KTs top pair with a king kicker. Its suitedness adds a backdoor flush route only when its suit matches a flop card. Size for value against worse tens, then slow down when stronger Kx continues.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Call: Continue KTs when the opener is wide and the price is good. The Ten connects with Q-J-9 boards, and suitedness adds flush equity.
  • Fold: Against tighter ranges, KTs should give up more often because its Ten kicker is frequently dominated.
Versus 4-bets
  • Fold: KTs should fold the usual 4-bet: its ten kicker creates dominated top pairs even when the hand keeps a flush route.
  • Continue only: A late-position exception needs a wide range and enough depth for its flush and straight routes.
Post-flop playability
  • Value: KTs earns value mainly from worse tens and kings on dry boards. Coordinated action from better Kx changes the plan quickly.
  • Control: On king-high or connected boards, the Ten kicker makes pot control more important than forcing a big pot.
  • Mistake: KTs has the weakest kicker of these Kx holdings. Even with a flush draw available, do not inflate a pot against better Kx, two pair, or sets.

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