In case you don’t know, the straight is the fifth on the poker hand rankings list. It usually comprises five sequential or consecutive cards. Usually, many players perceive that the word straight usually comprises five cards in a row, which makes it simple to recognize. Is j q k a 2 a straight? Well, it is straight in a majority of poker rooms. 

The most common straight you would come across is the A, K, Q, J, 10. This combination of straight is also known as Broadway. Note that the straight combinations go all the way down to A, 2, 3, 4, 5. This sequence is also known as the wheel or bicycle in the standard poker terms. So with these things in mind, let’s take a glance at the various types of straights in poker.  

Essential Things to know about the Straight 

A straight is one of the most versatile poker hands, which can be valuable and make you emerge as a winner. A straight typically comprises five cards of sequential ranking. Note that the suits of the cards hardly matter when making a standard straight. You should also be aware of how a straight looks like. 

Unlike the other hands of poker, a straight is appropriately named. Moreover, it can quickly get players to think of the numbers in a row. The five consecutive cards are known as straight in poker. To master poker and the straight hand, you should be aware of its rankings. A straight can be recognized in the middle of the poker hand rankings. 

Note that it is weaker than the flush and more robust than the three of a kind. Moreover, the ranking of the straight card also can be based on the highest card’s value in the combination. In a straight poker hand, the Ace always carries the highest value. On the other hand, the lowest value in straight is also the Ace.

So as you can see, the Ace has both the highest and lowest values in the straight. The straight which ranks top is known as the Broadway. On the contrary, the straight, which has a lower rank, is known as the wheel. 

To be precise, the suits of the cards hardly matter, unless they are identical. And when they are the same, the hand becomes a straight flush which can be your most powerful strategy to beat players.    

How can you play a Straight Hand in Hold’em?

Being able to play a straight hand is a classic instance of ensuring that you don’t come out of it losing. The ideal way to think about a straight in Hold’em is that you can consider it the silent assassin. It is one of the most versatile strategies which you can deploy to win at major poker tournaments. It is quite improbable that you would land a straight on the flop. Hence, it would be best if you were always prepared to execute some chasing on the turn or river. 

Your approach will rely on whether you have an open-ended straight draw or a close straight draw. In case you have the open-ended straight draw, then you can always afford to be a bit more aggressive in your gameplay. This is because, with an open-ended straight draw, you will have access to eight possible outs compared to the straight draw, which comprises only four outs. 

Other Things to know about the Straight 

Note that the most substantial straight hand a player can possess is Ace. This is usually followed by the king high, the queen high, and the jack high. If you want to know what beats a straight in poker, then the answer is flush. 

We all know that a straight is weaker than a flush. That’s why a straight can also be beaten by the higher poker hands. Four of a kind, straight flush, and royal flush are some of the other poker hands which can beat a straight. Moreover, the straight can be beaten by the higher straight.  

So as you can see, the straight is a mighty hand you can use to beat your opponents in poker. It is one of the best hands in the Texas Hold’em Poker. So master the straight hand to beat your opponents.