i'm sure this has been posted before, but could someone please give me a rundown of when it is correct to raise pre-flop with small suited connectors and when it is best to just call

I think you represent on school of thought Ice, but for the record I will present another. I think you do want to play suited connectors in late position for a raise and try to isolate an opponent. Ideal situations would be against a weak ace, two overcards, or a small PP. You take the lead, represent a good hand, and if it is checked to you, bet the pot or near it. You will pick up a lot of pots this way, whether or not you hit your hand. This gives you multiple ways to win with suited connectors. The issue I have with calling in LP with them is that you really can only win the pot if you hit the nuts. Since you are in a called pot odds will likely not be good to draw to the hand, and since you have not represented a hand it is not really going to work to bluff at the pot.

I personally feel that if you are not interested in playing suited connectors aggressively in LP they should be folded. The only time I call with them is in either of the blinds, or facing a small raise and a lot of callers. In that situation it can be profitable to attempt to make a draw.

Devil... what do you do in your instance if it is bet into you on the flop? Do you continue to represent, or cut your losses and fold? Using your method will pick up more small pots from people who don't hit, but won't Ices win you fewer, larger pots when you do hit (ie... flush, straight, hidden 2 pair)...?
Thanks...MVP

Well it depends on the size of the bet into me on the flop, and the texture of the flop. By raising pre-flop I am limiting the holdings my opponents will likely have. This gives me an advantage. If the flop comes KQx and it gets bet into me, well I lay it down. But I take my time... make him think it is a tough decision, that maybe I am laying down JJ. If the bet coming at me looks like middle pair or top with a weak kicker, I raise, representing an overpair. People will sometimes bet a draw into me as well, as a sort of blocking bet. I never call in this situation unless I am on the higher draw. It is either raise or fold.

I am not saying my method is superior to Ice's... but I don't think it is inferior. I try to raise a healthy amount, so the pots I pick up, while not monsters, represent 6-8xBB or more (my bet and his call). I am also careful to play a moderately tight set of other starting hands... that way I do not come off as a maniac. I think it also a huge advantage to be able to limit the range of hands your opponents may have. Raising pre-flop gives you that.

But there are several keys to this strategy. One is being able to lay down the hand facing action. Another is the ability to fire another bet on the turn if you are called. I can't tell you how many times I have held my breath after firing a larger bet on the turn, sure I was gonna get called, only to see the guy throw it in the muck. Remember, if you do it right you are representing the overpair. A final key is knowing your opponents. This only works against weak or smart opponents. Maniacs and calling stations will kill you.

I think you misread my post. I said you dont want to play them in EP and have to call a raise.

When you are in EP and then theres a raise, you will have to call the raise not knowing what everyone else will do and then you'll be out of position the entire hand.

If your in LP and someone in EP raises and gets a caller or 2, you can call knowing that you are closer to closing the action (no reraise) and you are in position the entire hand.

What did I misread? I think I understand your thinking.