A♣4♣ CO vs BTN, preflop, 90 bb
The spot
- You: CO
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: A♣4♣
- Board: preflop, no board yet
- Effective stack: 90 bb
- Pot: 3.5 bb
Folded to hero preflop in 6‑max.
What is the strongest default preflop action?
See the answer
Best play: Raise / 3-bet
Why
Folded to hero, so this is a first-in open from CO: A4s is the hand. CO opens wide (~25-27%), and every suited ace belongs in that opening range for the steal value plus the nut-flush blocker and straight/wheel potential the suitedness adds. Open-raising A4s here is a value-and-steal open, not a 3‑bet, and it plays well postflop with the nut-flush draw upside.
Key idea
Suited aces are automatic CO opens: the ace blocks premiums, the suit makes the nut flush, and the wide CO range needs these to stay balanced and steal the blinds.
Common mistake
Folding small suited aces from the CO as too weak, surrendering steal equity and the nut-flush playability that makes them profitable opens.