A gutshot in poker refers to a type of draw where you have just one (numeric) card as an 'out' to hit your straight. For instance, in Hold’em if you hold 8x7x and the flop comes Kx5x4x, you have a “gutshot draw” to a straight, needing a 6x to complete it.

What is a Gutshot in Poker?

A gutshot is another term for inside straight draw. In other words, you have four cards of a straight, and the one card needed to complete it sits inside your straight draw. So, let's say you have 3♣4♠ and the flop is 5♥7♦A♦, here you will need a six to complete your straight. You have the 3, 4, 5 and 7 part, but the 6 that sits inside the 5 and the 7 is still required.

Gutshots exist in Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud and a range of other poker variants. A gutshot is not the same, though, as an open-ended straight draw. Here, you can hit one of two cards to hit your straight - for instance you have 3♣4♣ and the flop comes 5♥6♥K♦. In this case, you can hit either a 2 or a 7 to complete your straight.

Examples of Gutshot in Poker

Here are some scenarios to illustrate the concept of a Gutshot in poker:
In a Texas Hold'em game, you hold 5-6 and the flop comes 3-4-K. You now have a gutshot, needing a 2 to complete the straight.

In an Omaha tournament, you hold A-2-3-5 and the flop comes 4-6-7. You have a gutshot with a 5 needed to complete the straight.

• "Despite having a gutshot, he decided to fold due to the poor odds of completing his hand."
• "She hit her gutshot on the river, completing her straight and winning a large pot."
• "Chasing a gutshot can be risky as there are fewer cards that can complete your hand compared to an open-ended straight draw."

Gutshot in Poker FAQs

What is a gutshot in poker?

A gutshot, also known as a gutshot, is a situation in poker where a player needs one specific card to complete a straight.

How many outs does a gutshot have?

A gutshot has four outs, meaning there are four cards in the deck that can complete the straight.

What's the difference between a gutshot compare to an open-ended straight draw?

A gutshot is less favorable than an open-ended straight draw. A gutshot has four outs, while an open-ended straight draw has eight outs.

Should I always chase a gutshot?

Whether to chase a gutshot depends on the specific situation, including the size of the pot, the amount you have to call, and the tendencies of your opponents. In general, chasing a gutshot can be risky due to the low number of outs.

Can a gutshot occur in all forms of poker?

Yes, the concept of a gutshot can occur in any poker variant where straights are possible, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, and others.