K♠J♠ SB vs BTN, preflop, 80 bb
The spot
- You: SB
- Opponent: BTN
- Your hand: K♠J♠
- Board: preflop, no board yet
- Effective stack: 80 bb
- Pot: 8 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 in the SB with K♠J♠, this is a first-in open, not a suited connector or a 3‑bet. KJ SUITED is a strong broadway, near the top of the SB opening range: it makes nut and dominating top pairs, the Broadway and flush draws give clean equity, and it dominates the BB's K-x and J-x defends. This is an obvious open-raise; the SB wants to play this hand for value, not fold or limp it.
Key idea
KJs is a premium broadway, not a connector: from the SB first-in it is a clear value open-raise near the top of the opening range.
Common mistake
Mislabeling K♠J♠ as a suited connector or a 3‑bet; it is a top-of-range value open from the SB.