Starting Hands - Wraps

[AQpoker]

So once again we have a preflop strategy thread. The question today is how the value of wraps changes when there are some gaps.

Value from best to worst:

1) 9876

2) 9875
3) 9865
4) 9765

I am sure that these first 4 wraps are in the correct order. 1 and 2 have far more value than 3 and 4 (correct?).

x1) 9854 (xx--xx)
x2) 9864 (xx-x-x)
x3) 9874 (xxx--x)
x4) 9764 (x-xx-x)

So what is the value of these wraps? Are they still playable? And what is the order of value?

trash 1) 9654 (x--xxx)
trash 3) 9754 (x-x-xx)


I think all these are trash and should no longer be considered as 4-connected feature. Am I right?

[Aisthesis]

Pretty much right on the first group imo, although I think 9865 is still a pretty premium hand.

The second group I'd order like this:

9874
9864
Comment: I'm not really sure which of these two is "better" PF, but I think both are pretty good. The thing is, as soon as you have any holes at all, you have to hit the flop in a particular way to have a truly good draw, and with two holes, the specific requirements on the flop are even greater. But, if the holes are toward the bottom, then at least whenever you do hit, you're on the top end of the straight you're looking for. You usually don't want a lot of non-nut straight outs, and if you're on the top end (like K75 for 9864), you won't have that problem.

9854 and 9764 are much worse hands imo. If they're rainbow, I probably wouldn't play them to a raise.

And, yes, I think the last two are really just trash.

[pokerzen]

9854 I like multiway ... 3 or more players if I can limp in. I don't mind it as well heads-up against an obvious AAxx raiser. Flop it or drop it.

9764 is an unplayable hand, unless you feel very good about the flop hitting 235. If you do catch part of the flop with this hand ... you'll be in anguish deciding what to do with it. Which could cost you your stack. No good.