Straight
In This Guide
Quick Facts by PokerStrategy
- A straight in poker is made of five consecutive cards, not all of the same suit.
- Straights are directly ahead of three of a kind and behind a flush in hand rankings.
- Always assess board texture and hand strength when deciding how to play a straight.
- In general, you should bet for value with straights.
What is a Straight in Poker?
A straight in poker is a hand that is composed of five consecutive cards in a row, of which at least one card is of a different suit. It’s a strong poker hand that sits towards the middle of the hand rankings, above three of a kind but below a flush.
How Many Cards Make a Straight?
A poker straight is made using five cards. In Texas Hold’em, you can make a straight using any combination of your private hole cards and the community board cards.
Straight Poker Rules Explained
Here are the poker rules for a straight explained clearly, so you know exactly how to make the hand:
- Made using five consecutive cards, such as 4-5-6-7-8.
- Higher straights beat lower straights.
- Suits do not matter when making a straight, unless all five cards are of the same suit, in which case your hand is no longer a straight but a straight flush.
Using the Ace in a Straight (High vs Low)
In many poker variations, Texas Hold’em included, an ace can be used as either a low or high card when it comes to making a straight.
Below are a few examples of straights, including both ways you can make a straight in poker with an ace:
- 10♠ J♦ Q♣ K♥ A♠: Ace-high, also known as the Broadway straight, the highest possible straight you can make in poker.
- A♠ 2♦ 3♣ 4♥ 5♠: Five-high straight, also known as the wheel, made using an ace as a low card. The lowest possible straight in Hold’em.
- 5♣ 6♦ 7♠ 8♥ 9♣: Nine-high straight. Beats an eight-high straight or lower, loses to a ten-high straight or higher.
Straight Hand Ranking in Poker
A straight in poker is ranked number six in the official hand rankings. It sits directly ahead of three of a kind and behind a flush. Take a look at the poker hand rankings here:
What Does a Straight Beat in Poker?
A straight in poker beats a high card, one pair, two pair, and three of a kind.
What Beats a Straight in Poker?
A straight in poker is beaten by a flush, full house, four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush.
While straights rank sixth in hand strength, they perform exceptionally well on soft online poker sites where recreational players frequently overplay weak hands or fail to recognize when opponents have completed their draws.
Learning to identify and play straights correctly gives you a significant edge in these games.
Straight vs Straight Flush
One common confusion new players make is mistaking a straight flush for a straight, or vice versa. The two hands are similar, but a straight flush is made using five consecutive cards all of the same suit.
Straight: J♦ T♣ 9♦ 8♥ 7♠
Straight Flush: J♦ T♦ 9♦ 8♦ 7♦
A straight flush is ultimately a much stronger hand than a straight in poker. It’s ahead of everything and only beaten by higher straight flushes and the royal flush.
How to Play a Straight in Texas Hold’em
Here’s a quick guide to teach you the basics of how to play a straight in Texas Hold’em.
Assess Board Texture
A straight in poker is a very strong hand if the board texture doesn’t offer much in the way of flushes or full houses. If the board is very wet, such as three cards out to a flush, or if the board is paired, your straight won’t always be the best hand.
Your hole cards: J♠ T♠
Ideal board: 9♣ 8♥ 7♠ 2♣ 5♥
Not ideal board: 9♣ 8♣ 9♠ 7♣ 2♠
On the first board, your hand is the stone cold nuts. On the second board, the same hand is easily beaten by a flush or full house, so you’ll need to play more cautiously.
Consider the Strength of Your Straight
The nut straight in poker, or the highest possible straight given the board, is much more valuable than having a lower straight. With a nutted straight, you should play aggressively to maximize your value. With a weak, lower straight, be wary of opponents who could have the higher end.
Bet for Value
In most situations, you should bet or raise for value with a straight in poker. Avoid slowplaying, as giving away free cards could lead to danger if the board pairs or brings flush cards. Instead, protect your hand and build the pot early. If the board stays clean, look to stack off on later streets.
Common Mistakes With Straights
Here are the most common mistakes players tend to make with a straight in poker:
- Misreading the board: The most common ways to do this is to think you have a straight when you only have four running cards, or to forget that aces can also be used as low cards for straights.
- Overvaluing low straights: Any straight in poker feels strong, but if you have a lower straight, someone else could have the higher end. Always consider your hand strength relative to your opponent.
- Not reading the board: Forgetting about flush draws or ignoring paired boards can get you in trouble when other players make a monster. If the board texture isn’t favourable, slow down and control the pot to make it to showdown.
- Slowplaying too often: Straights are strong, but they are vulnerable, especially on draw-heavy boards. Avoid giving away free cards by slowplaying; instead, bet or raise for value.