'Open-Ended Straight Draw' is a term used in poker to describe a situation where a player has four consecutive cards and needs either end to complete a straight.

What is an Open-Ended Straight Draw in Poker?

An 'Open-Ended Straight Draw' in poker refers to a situation where a player has four consecutive cards and needs either end to complete a straight. This term is commonly used across various poker variants, including Texas Hold'em, Omaha, and Seven-Card Stud.

For example, if a player has 5-6-7-8, they have an 'Open-Ended Straight Draw' as they can complete the straight with either a 4 or a 9.

Example of "Open-Ended Straight Draw"

For instance, a player might have an 'Open-Ended Straight Draw' after the flop if they have two consecutive hole cards and two consecutive community cards.

In another scenario, a player might hit their 'Open-Ended Straight Draw' on the turn or river to complete their straight and potentially win the hand.

• "I had an Open-Ended Straight Draw after the flop and was hoping to hit my straight on the turn or river."
• "He made a sizeable bet with an Open-Ended Straight Draw, hoping to scare off his opponents."
• "She hit her Open-Ended Straight Draw on the river and took down the pot."

How many outs do I have with an Open-Ended Straight Draw?

With an Open-Ended Straight Draw, you have eight outs — four of each card at either end of the draw.

What are the odds of hitting an Open-Ended Straight Draw?

The odds of hitting an Open-Ended Straight Draw on the next card are approximately 17% (about 1 in 6). The odds of hitting it on either the turn or river are approximately 31.5% (about 1 in 3).

Is an Open-Ended Straight Draw a strong hand?

An Open-Ended Straight Draw is a strong drawing hand, as you have a good chance of making a straight. However, it's still not a made hand and you could end up with nothing if you don't hit your draw.

Should I always bet with an Open-Ended Straight Draw?

Whether you should bet with an Open-Ended Straight Draw depends on various factors, including your position, the actions of other players, and the size of the pot. In some cases, it can be profitable to bet or raise with this draw.