Learn GTO preflop theory in MTT poker

T of hearts6 of hearts

Weak suited hand

Ten-Six Suited

T6s gains a flush route and some backdoor connectivity, but the Six kicker still creates domination risk. Open it mainly from the cutoff or button when the table is tight. Defend the big blind when the price and stack depth allow post-flop play.

Pocket33

How to play T6s by position and stack size

Recommended actionUTG8-maxUTG18-maxLJ6-maxHJ6-maxCO6-maxBTN6-maxSB6-max
100bb+FoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
40-100bbFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenOpenLimp
27-40bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldOpenLimp
20-26bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
16-19bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldLimp
11-15bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldJam
7-10bbFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldJam
6bb-FoldFoldFoldFoldFoldFoldJam
Open when:Late position at normal or deep depth

Position helps T6s realize its suited and pair equity.

3bet when:Rarely from the blinds

Use it only in a planned bluff range against a wide late-position open.

Call when:Big blind defense at a good price

Suitedness helps, but a weak top pair still needs pot control.

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

Do not turn a speculative hand into a default shove.

Fold when:Early position or shallow facing action

T6s has too little room to realize its draws.

Strong against

9 of spades6 of spades
96s

96s shares the Six but has the weaker kicker, making a dominated pair that can still pay T6s.

Weak against

  • A of spadesT of spades
    ATs

    ATs shares the Ten with the better kicker, so T6s can make a costly second-best pair.

Flop classes

A of spades8 of spades2 of hearts
Flush draw

With T♠ 6♠ on A♠ 8♠ 2♦, continue more often when position or price supports the draw.

9 of spades8 of hearts2 of spades
Gutshot

On 9♣ 8♦ 2♠, a Seven completes the 6-7-8-9-T straight.

T of spades8 of spades3 of hearts
Fragile top pair

On T♠ 8♣ 3♦, keep the pot small because higher Tens dominate this pair.

Strategic notes

Versus 3-bets
  • Call selectively in position: Keep the pot manageable and continue mainly with useful draws.
  • Fold out of position against tight ranges: The suited label alone does not justify defending.
Post-flop playability
  • Value the flush draw: With two same-suit hole cards and two matching flop cards, T6s has a flush draw, not a made flush.
  • Separate top pair from strong value: A Ten on a dry board is often a check-back or bluff-catcher.
  • Use connectivity when it is real: T6s has a gutshot to a Seven only when the flop supplies the required neighboring ranks.

Published · Updated