Straight Flush

Quick facts by PokerStrategy

• A straight flush is five sequential cards of the same suit and is one of the most powerful poker hands.
• There’s only something stronger than a straight flush – a royal flush.
• A straight flush is at least A-2-3-4-5 of the same suit, and they’re extremely uncommon in Texas Hold’em.

What Is a Straight Flush in Poker

A straight flush in poker is a five-card hand, all of the same suit and in sequential order. An example is 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠. In terms of hand strength, the straight flush ranks only just below the royal flush, which is Ten to Ace of the same suit.

A basic poker cheat sheet lists the straight flush among the highest hands to commit to memory, just below the royal flush.

Straight Flush Characteristics

A straight flush is defined by two principal things:

• Consecutive ranks: The five cards must be in immediate numerical order (e.g., 4-5-6-7-8).
• Same suit: All five cards must be of the same suit (e.g., all hearts or all clubs).

This hand is both a flush and a straight, but more potent than either alone. The potency and unlikelihood are because both requirements must be fulfilled simultaneously.

A straight flush may be A-2-3-4-5 (also referred to as the bicycle or wheel) to 9-10-J-Q-K. The royal flush is the most superior straight flush, composed of 10-J-Q-K-A of the same suit.

Straight Flush Compared to Other Poker Hands

In terms of the ranking of poker hands according to traditional poker, the straight flush ranks second only to the royal flush and beats all other hands, including:

• Four of a Kind: Four like cards are stronger than a straight flush.
• Full House: Three-of-a-kind with a pair will always lose to a straight flush.
• Flush: A flush is five suited but not sequential cards. The straight flush is stronger.
• Straight: A straight is in sequential cards but not the same suit.

Three of a Kind, Two Pair, One Pair, and High Card are all much weaker.

A royal flush trumps a straight flush because it’s the highest straight possible in poker with 10-J-Q-K-A, all suited.

A straight flush is a straight and a flush at the same time. A straight would not be asked to make a match on the suits and, therefore, is an inferior hand.

Straight Flush vs. Straight

Rules of a Straight Flush

• The hand must have five consecutive cards of the same suit.
• The Ace may be low (A-2-3-4-5) or high (10-J-Q-K-A), but not wraparound (since Q-K-A-2-3 is an illegal hand).
• In Texas Hold’em games, the straight flush must be made from the highest five out of seven cards (hole cards + community cards).
• If two hold a straight flush, the highest high card holder will win.
• In the unlikely event that there are two straight flushes of equal card value, the two players will split the pot.

How to Play a Straight Flush in Poker

In Texas Hold’em and other poker games, the situation to create a straight flush is rare, but when it occurs, it is nearly a sure-fire winning hand unless it creates an almost unbeatable hand.

• Maximize value: Since the hand is almost unbeatable, slow-play in early streets can attract more chips.
• Watch the board: In a coordinated board, your opponents will also hold strong hands like a lower straight or flush – use this.
• Don’t overbet too early: If the board is not threatening, give opponents chances to catch up.
• Watch out for higher straight flush possibilities: In connected and suited boards, there is a possibility of a higher straight flush.

Straight Flush Hands Examples

The following are a few legal straight flush combinations:

• 2♣ 3♣ 4♣ 5♣ 6♣ – Six-high straight flush
• 9♦ 10♦ J♦ Q♦ K♦ – King-high straight flush
• A♠ 2♠ 3♠ 4♠ 5♠ – Five-high straight flush (lowest possible)
• 10♥ J♥ Q♥ K♥ A♥ – Royal flush (best straight flush)
• 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠ – Ten-high straight flush

All of these hands require precise sequence and suit uniformity.

Straight Flush Odds & Probability

The odds of getting a straight flush in Texas Hold’em are extremely low, and it is one of the rarest hands played in the game.

Odds by Game Type

Texas Hold’em (7-card):

• Odds of getting a straight flush: 1 in 72,193
• Odds of getting a royal flush (subset): 1 in 649,739

5-card poker (e.g., Draw Poker):

• Odds of getting a straight flush: 1 in 64,974
• Total number of possible 5-card hands: 2,598,960
• Total straight flushes (royal flushes counted): 40

Probability

• Straight Flush: ~0.0015%
• Royal flush: ~0.00015%

This is what makes straight flushes almost unbeatable hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is stronger than a straight flush?

Only a royal flush beats a straight flush in standard poker hand rankings.

Is Ace 2 3 4 5 a straight?

Yes. It’s called a “wheel” or “bicycle” and also forms the lowest straight flush if all cards are in the same suit.

Can a straight flush beat another straight flush?

Yes. The highest card that is greater in the straight flush wins. For example, a 9♠ 10♠ J♠ Q♠ K♠ beats a 5♠ 6♠ 7♠ 8♠ 9♠.

Is a straight flush stronger than a full house?

A straight flush is a stronger poker hand and ranks higher than a full house.

What are the chances of a straight flush in poker?

In Hold’em, there is roughly 1 chance in 72,193 with all seven cards. With five-card poker, there’s roughly 1 chance in 64,974.