How to Play the Straight in Texas Holdem
The straight is one of the most intricate hands in Texas Holdem, yet its potential for helping you win big pots is huge, so it is absolutely essential that you know how to use it properly. The more you know about this hand, the greater your chances of winning the game.
One of the things that make the straight difficult to play, especially among new players, is that there are different types and each has to be used with a different Texas Holdem strategy. Because of this fact, you need to be aware of the different kinds of straights in the game.
The first is the open ended straight. For example, your hand is a 78, and the flop is 692. With a 5 or 10 on the turn (8 outs) you get to complete the hand, and it is the best kind of straight in the game. With this kind of draw, your Texas Holdem strategy would be to make a strong bet for the turn, to signify that you are making a strong draw.
A gutshot straight draw is when you are holding a Texas Holdem hand like 89 and the flop comes up with a 56A. In this case only the 7 can complete your hand and the outs are cut in half compared with the open ended straight. What makes this even more difficult is if the 7s have been dealt to the other players.
A double gutshot or belly buster straight occurs when you have a 9 and 10 and the flop is 68Q. A Jack on the turn or river will give you a Queen high straight, probably the best in the hand. But a 7 will only give you ten high, which can end up being second best.
When you get a hand, you must consider the pot odds. This means that you need to have at least 5:1 odds. However, there will be times when your Texas Holdem strategy will have to consider the implied odds. Even if the odds are not the most ideal, you will want to make a draw if you think that your opponents will pay you off later.
While the straight is a powerful Texas Holdem hand, you will not want to play them when the board shows suited cards as you could be beaten by a flush. Similarly, never draw to a low straight.
The straight is one of the more elaborate Texas Holdem hands, and have led many players to lose big pots. However, properly understood and utilized, it becomes one of the most powerful in the game, allowing you to win a lot of games.
