How to play 42s
Four-Two Suited
4♥
2♥
Rank by playability
#162
#158 by equity vs a random hand
Top
96%
of all starting hands
Equity vs random
36.9%
heads-up
CategoryWeak
Generally a fold. Occasional steal from BTN vs weak blinds.
Equity vs random opponents
| Opponents | Equity |
|---|---|
| vs 1 random hand | 36.9% |
| vs 3 random hands | 18.9% |
| vs 5 random hands | 13.6% |
Monte Carlo simulation using our own hand evaluator — 300,000 trials per matchup with full boards dealt and ties split evenly.
By position
| Position | Action |
|---|---|
UTG Under the Gun | fold Outside the UTG opening range. Don't open. |
MP Middle Position | fold Outside the MP opening range. Don't open. |
CO Cutoff | fold Outside the CO opening range. Don't open. |
BTN Button | fold Outside the BTN opening range. Don't open. |
SB Small Blind | fold Outside the SB opening range. Don't open. |
BB Big Blind (vs late open) | fold Outside the BB opening range. Don't open. |
Postflop notes
- Suited holding — flush draws are your main equity boost when called.
- Suited connector / one-gapper — also has straight potential. Plays well in deep multi-way pots.
What 42s flops
Exact: all 19,600 possible flops dealt to 42s. Rows overlap — a flush draw can come with a pair.
| A pair or better | 33.91% |
| Top pair or better | 5.05% |
| Two pair or better | 4.95% |
| Flush draw | 10.94% |
| Flush | 0.84% |
| Open-ended straight draw | 3.67% |
| Gutshot straight draw | 12.73% |
| Straight | 0.65% |
| Nothing — no pair, no draw | 45.10% |
Take it further
CALCULATE
Equity vs a specific hand
See 42s matchup with any opponent.
RANGE WORK
Equity vs an opponent's range
Build the villain's likely range and compare.
FULL CHART
Complete preflop charts
All 169 hands, all 6 positions in one view.
SHORT-STACK
Push/fold chart
Should you shove 42s? See it on the Nash chart.