Straight: Poker Hand Rankings

In straight poker, a hand consists of five consecutive cards of any suit. To construct a straight, the Ace might be the highest card (A-K-Q-J-10) or the lowest card (A-2-3-4-5). 

The chances of getting a straight in a five-card hand from a conventional 52-card deck are about 0.3925% or 1 in 254. A deck contains 10,200 different straight-hand combinations.

When many players have a straight, the player with the highest-ranking card in their straight wins. If two players have the same highest-ranking card, the pot may be divided if all five cards of the straight are identical. It is crucial to note that a straight poker hand can be defeated by a higher-ranking hand, such as a flush or a full house.

How does a Straight Poker Hand rank?

A straight hand is a significant and desirable combination of cards in the game of poker. It has a respectable position in the poker hand hierarchy, but it is surpassed by higher-ranking hands such as flushes, complete houses, and four of a kind.

A straight hand is made up of five cards that are arranged in sequential sequence, regardless of suit. A straight, for example, might be produced by holding cards such as 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. While the individual cards may differ, the basic feature of a straight stays the same—consecutive numbers in a five-card hand.

A straight is ranked higher than three of a kind, two pairs, one pair, and high card hands when comparing hands. When compared to flushes, which consist of five cards of the same suit, it falls short. 

This concept is critical to grasp since it determines the winner of a poker game. A player with a straight may be confident in the quality of their hand, but they must be wary of opponents holding flushes, which have a larger value.

Furthermore, the highest-ranking straight, known as a royal flush, takes precedence over all other hands. A 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace of the same suit make an unbeatable combo.

How does a Straight Hand match up?

In poker, a straight hand is a relatively good hand that can beat multiple lower-ranking hands but can also be beaten by higher-ranking hands. Let’s take a closer look at how a straight hand compares to other poker hands:

Straight vs. High Card

Because a straight has a fixed sequence of consecutive cards, it always beats a high card hand.

Straight vs. One Pair

A straight hand ranks higher than a one pair hand since it is a more valuable and uncommon combination.

Straight vs. Two Pair

A straight hand is more powerful than a two pair hand because it has a higher-ranked and more unified set of cards.

Straight vs. Three of a Kind

A straight hand is stronger than a three of a kind hand. Three of a kind is made up of three cards of the same rank and is less valuable than a straight.

Straight vs. Straight

When comparing two straight hands, the highest-ranked straight wins. If two straights have the same highest card, the pot is shared between the players.

Straight vs. Flush

A straight hand is weaker than a flush hand because a flush consists of five cards of the same suit, which is a more desirable combination.

Straight vs. Full House

A straight is weaker than a full house, which is made up of three of a kind plus a pair. The full house is more valuable because there are two cards of one rank and three cards of another rank in it.

Straight vs. Four of a Kind

A straight hand is much weaker than a four of a kind hand because four of a kind is a rare and powerful combination that outperforms the majority of hands.

Straight vs. Straight Flush

A straight is less valuable than a straight flush. Five cards in a row of the same suit form a straight flush. It is one of the highest-ranking poker hands.

Straight vs. Royal Flush

A straight pales in comparison to the strongest hand in poker, a royal flush. A royal flush is made up of the highest-ranking straight from 10 to Ace, all of which are in the same suit.

Straight Poker Probabilities

Here are the approximate odds for specific events in Texas Hold’em, Omaha, and OFC poker throughout the pre-flop, flop, turn, and river rounds:

Texas Hold’em

Pre-flop

The chance of being dealt a given starting hand, such as pocket Aces (AA), is around 0.452%, or 1 in 221. The odds of being dealt any pair are approximately 5.88% (1 in 17).

Flop

After the flip (when three community cards are revealed), the likelihood of hitting a given hand, such as a flush draw or a straight draw, is determined by the circumstances and the number of outs available.

Turn

The probability of hitting a given hand on the turn (when the fourth community card is revealed) is determined by the outs and preceding cards.

River

The likelihood of hitting a given hand can be determined on the river (when the fifth and final community card is revealed) based on the remaining cards and the number of outs.

Omaha

Pre-flop

Because of the four-hole card system, the odds of getting specific beginning hands in Omaha are more complicated. The probability of acquiring certain powerful hands, such as A-A-K-K double-suited, is about 0.0489%, or 1 in 2,044.

Flop

Similar to Texas Hold’em, the odds of hitting specific hands on the flip can be computed using the available outs and the situation.

Turn

The chances of hitting various hands on the turn are determined by the outs, previous cards, and remaining unseen cards.

River

Based on the remaining cards, outs, and previous community cards, the probabilities of hitting particular hands on the river can be computed.

FAQs

1. What is “straight” poker?

Straight poker is a traditional poker variant in which players are dealt a full hand of five cards with the goal of having the highest-ranking hand at the showdown.

2. How do you make a straight hand?

A straight hand is made up of five cards in sequential order, regardless of suit. For instance, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. In a straight, the Ace might be the highest (A, K, Q, J, 10) or lowest (A, 2, 3, 4, 5) card.

3. How does a straight hand rank in poker?

A straight ranks higher than a high card, one pair, two pairs, and three of a kind in normal hand rankings. However, it is ranked lower than a flush, full house, four-of-a-kind, straight flush, and royal flush.

4. What is the difference between a straight and a straight flush?

A straight is a hand with five cards in sequential order regardless of suit, but a straight flush is a hand with five cards in sequential order and of the same suit.

5. Is it possible for multiple players to have a straight in the same hand?

It is a rare possibility for 4 players on the same hand to have a straight. In such instances, the pot is won by the player holding the highest ranking straight. When two players have the same straight, the pot is shared.