A Straight in poker is a five-card hand consisting of all five cards in sequential rank, regardless of their suit. For example, 5-6-7-8-9, or T-J-Q-K-A are both straights. The Ace can be used as either the highest card (A-K-Q-J-T) or the lowest card (A-2-3-4-5), but it cannot wrap around (e.g., Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight).
Example
You are playing Texas Hold’em and your hole cards are 7♠ 8♦. The community cards on the board are 4♣ 5♥ 6♠ J♦ K♣. In this scenario, you would combine your 7♠ and 8♦ with the 4♣, 5♥, and 6♠ from the board to form a Straight: 4-5-6-7-8. This hand would beat any two pair or three-of-a-kind, but would lose to a flush or a full house.
Strategy Tip
Recognizing straight possibilities and drawing to them effectively is a crucial skill. When you have a “straight draw” (four cards to a straight), consider the pot odds and implied odds before calling bets. Open-ended straight draws (like 7-8-9-T, needing a 6 or J) are stronger than gutshot straight draws (like 7-8-T-J, needing a 9), as they have more “outs” (cards that complete the straight). Once you’ve made a straight, especially a high one, focus on value betting to extract chips from weaker hands. However, always be mindful of the board texture; if there are three cards of the same suit on the board, a flush is possible, which beats your straight. Similarly, a paired board might mean an opponent has a full house, which also beats a straight.
FAQ
- Q: What is the difference between a Straight and a Straight Flush?
- A: A Straight consists of five sequential cards of any suit. A Straight Flush is a much rarer and stronger hand, consisting of five sequential cards *all of the same suit* (e.g., 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠).
- Q: Can an Ace be used as both high and low in the same Straight?
- A: No, an Ace can only be used at one end of the sequence. For example, A-2-3-4-5 is a valid straight (known as a “wheel”), and T-J-Q-K-A is a valid straight (the highest possible straight, known as “Broadway”). However, K-A-2-3-4 is not a straight because the cards do not run consecutively without a break.
- Q: How strong is a Straight compared to other poker hands?
- A: A Straight is a relatively strong hand. It beats hands like One Pair, Two Pair, and Three-of-a-Kind. However, it is weaker than a Flush, a Full House, Four-of-a-Kind, and a Straight Flush. The specific rank of the straight matters; a “Broadway” straight (T-J-Q-K-A) is the strongest possible straight and can beat any lower straight.