Straight Poker

What Is a Straight in Poker?

A Straight in poker is a five-card hand consisting of sequentially ranked cards, regardless of their suits. For example, a hand like 5♠ 6♦ 7♣ 8♥ 9♠ is considered a Straight because the cards form a continuous numerical sequence. The suits don’t need to match—what matters is the consecutive order of the card values.

This hand ranks above Three of a Kind but below a Flush in the traditional poker hand hierarchy. That makes it a strong and strategic hand, especially in popular variations like Texas Hold’em and Omaha. While not the rarest combination, a Straight often holds significant value due to its balanced mix of attainability and strength.

Unlike hands that rely on specific suits (like a Flush) or matching card values (like a Full House), a Straight requires sharp attention to the board and potential drawing opportunities.

How to Play a Straight: Tips & Strategy

A Straight is a solid poker hand, but it’s not unbeatable. Knowing how to play a Straight effectively can make the difference between a decent win and a costly mistake. Whether you’re at the online tables or sitting in a live poker room, mastering strategy around this hand is crucial.

 Maximize Your Straight’s Value

Just holding a Straight isn’t enough—you need to extract maximum value from it. Here’s how:

  • Disguise Your Strength: Avoid over-betting early. Flat calling or small raises can conceal your Straight, encouraging opponents to stay in the pot and contribute more chips.

Poker Rules

Straight Poker Rules

Learn how a Straight ranks in poker, how it's formed, and where it stands among other winning hands. Simple rules for all skill levels.

Mastering Straight Strategy

Understand how to bet, bluff, and raise with a Straight. Get tips on maximizing value and avoiding traps in online or live games.

Practice Straight Hands Free

Train with free poker simulators and demo games. Perfect your skills with no risk before heading to real-money poker tables.

Straight Poker Odds and Probabilities

Understanding the odds of making a Straight in poker gives you a strategic edge at the table. Whether you’re playing Texas Hold’em or Omaha, knowing the math behind Straight draws helps you make more profitable decisions.


 Odds of Making a Straight in Texas Hold’em

The likelihood of forming a Straight depends on the stage of the hand and your current holding:

  • Starting Hand to Flop:
    The odds of flopping a Straight with a connected hand like 6♠ 7♠ are approximately 1.3% (1 in 76 hands).

  • Open-Ended Straight Draw (OESD):
    An OESD is when you have four consecutive cards and need one card on either end. Example: 6♠ 7♦ 8♣ 9♥ — you need a 5 or 10 to complete it.

    • Flop to Turn or Turn to River Odds: ~17.0%

    • Flop to River Odds (two chances): ~31.5%

Practice Straight Poker Online

Mastering the Straight in poker doesn’t happen overnight—it takes repetition, pattern recognition, and smart decision-making. Thankfully, there are free online poker simulators and apps that let you practice Straights and other hands without putting real money on the line.

Whether you’re a beginner or refining your strategy, these tools can help you become more confident and consistent at the table.