What is a Straight in Poker?

The most exciting card game where your intuition, strategy and mathematical analysis of the situation will come in handy is, of course, poker. Among the most frequent combinations of the middle class is Straight. This is a combination of 5 cards in a strict order. In this case, suits do not play a role.

It is important for players to understand not only how to compose such a hand, but also how to play it effectively at the poker table. What are your chances of winning with this combination? Read about all this and more in the article below.

What is a Straight in Poker?

So, out of the 10 possible poker hands, Straight is at the center of the list. This is 5 playing cards of different suits, where all values come one after another. So, for example, 5♥ 6♣ 6♠ 7♠ 8♣ 9♦.

If several players have a similar situation, then the winner must be chosen by the seniority of the cards. For example, the already known combination 5♥ 6♣ 6♠ 7♠ 8♣ 9♦ VS 8♣ 9♠ 10♦ J♦ Q♥. In the first case, the strongest card in the hand is the Nine of Diamonds. In the second case, it is the Queen of Hearts. It is this combination that will win in the end if none of the opponents at the table has the highest hand.

What Does a Straight Look Like?

Straight look like a standard combination of 5 cards in a clear sequential order. You can ignore the suits. Here are some examples that you may encounter on the board:

• 6♣ 7♦ 8♠ 9♣ 10♦;
• 9♦ 10♠ J♠ Q♣ K♠;
• 7♠ 8♣ 9♦ 10♠ J♣.

To collect a Straight, for example, in No-Limit Texas Holdem can be done in several ways: on two pocket cards (the best outcome), on one pocket card (more difficult situation) and on common cards.

A notable feature in Straight is the Ace. It can stand either at the beginning of the combination or at its end (as the highest or lowest card).

How Does Straight Rank?

In the general list of different poker hands, Straight is clearly in the middle. It is a fairly common combination (the chance on turn and river can reach 30%), but it is the one that can bring you a good profit in the game! Learn more about its features and realize your skills at the poker table.

What Beats a Straight?

Further you can schematically see what Straight beats, and before what combination it is powerless:

Ways to Approach the Flush Draw

Straight Draw is not a finished poker hand when you end up one card short. Based on this, there are 2 variants of events:

• Two-sided – a more favorable situation where a single value is missing from either of the two sides.
• Gutshot – a combination when the only card inside (third in order) is missing. The chances of strengthening the drawing in this case are many times less than in the first variant.

Strategy to Play Straight

If you are dealt Straight, you have a good chance of winning! There is no single tactic, as each hand is unique. Here are just a few useful tips on how not to miss your advantage and play the game:

• Make a calculation of the current situation on the table. Evaluate how strong your opponents’ cards may be;
• Analyze your opponents’ playing style. If they often bluff or on the contrary, play conservatively, it can affect your choice of actions;
• If you already have a Straight, try to maximize your bets;
• Increase the size of the pot without showing your poker hand.

Straight Probabilities

In a poker game, you have a fairly realistic chance of collecting Straight. Thanks to the complex math further down in the table, there are specific numbers. Explore their difference in Texas Hold’em and Omaha: