A straight is a five-card poker hand made of consecutive ranks, such as 5-6-7-8-9. The suits do not need to match. In casino games, a straight has a fixed ranking, but its money value depends on the game, paytable, side bet, or bonus layout.
Plain Talk
A straight is about number order. It is not about suit.
Five cards in a row make a straight. If the five cards are also the same suit, the hand becomes a Straight Flush, which is much stronger. In many poker-style games, A-2-3-4-5 can count as a low straight, while 10-J-Q-K-A is the highest straight.
This glossary page defines the term. For game-level teaching, read Video Poker, Carnival Games, and the Glossary.
| Term | Plain-English meaning | Where it appears | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight | Five ranks in sequence | Poker, video poker, carnival games | A standard winning hand or bonus hand |
| Open-ended straight draw | Four cards with two possible ends | Video poker draws | Usually stronger than an inside draw |
| Inside straight draw | Four cards missing a middle rank | Video poker draws | Often weaker than players think |
| Straight flush | Straight with one suit | Poker hand rankings | Beats a normal straight |
Where You See It
You see straight in poker hand rankings, video poker paytables, Three Card Poker-style bonus concepts, Ultimate Texas Hold’em decisions, and many poker-based carnival games.
Public rules such as the Poker TDA rules provide standard poker-ranking language. Video poker analysis from Wizard of Odds shows why the value of a straight is tied to the paytable and the draw decision, not just the rank name.
Why It Matters
Straight matters because players often chase it without checking the price.
A made straight may be a paying hand. A straight draw may or may not be worth chasing. In video poker, holding four cards to an open-ended straight is not the same as chasing an inside straight. In table games, a straight may be part of a main wager, side bet, bonus payout, or dealer qualification comparison.
Example
You are dealt 6-7-8-9-K in video poker.
You have four cards to an open-ended straight. A 5 or 10 completes it. But the best play still depends on the game. If the same hand also contains suited cards, high cards, or a better draw, a strategy chart may point somewhere else.
From the Casino Side:
From the casino side, straights are simple to identify but important in payout design. A small change in what straights pay can change the return of a video poker paytable or the cost of a poker-style bonus bet.
Dealers and supervisors treat the hand ranking as procedure. Slot/video poker teams treat the payout as game math. Marketing treats the word “straight” as familiar enough that players understand it quickly.
Common Misunderstanding
The common mistake is thinking every straight draw is close to equally strong.
It is not. Open-ended draws, inside draws, high-card combinations, and suited straight possibilities can have different values. The shape of the draw matters.
Hard Truth
A straight draw feels almost finished. The machine does not pay for almost.
Related Terms
| Term | Difference | Best page to read next |
|---|---|---|
| Flush | Same suit, not necessarily in order | Flush |
| Straight Flush | Straight and flush together | Straight Flush |
| Royal Flush | Highest straight flush | Royal Flush |
| Hold/Draw | The draw decision in video poker | Hold/Draw |
| Paytable | The payout list | Paytable |
FAQ
Does a straight need the same suit?
No. If all five cards are the same suit and in sequence, it is a straight flush.
Does a straight beat a flush?
No. In standard poker rankings, a flush beats a straight.
Can an ace be low in a straight?
In many poker games, yes. A-2-3-4-5 is commonly treated as a low straight.
Is 10-J-Q-K-A a straight?
Yes. It is the highest ordinary straight unless all cards are the same suit, in which case it is a royal flush.
Are straight draws always worth chasing in video poker?
No. The correct hold depends on the game, paytable, and other cards in the hand.
Deeper Insight
Straight is a good example of why hand rank and strategy are not the same thing.
A made straight has a rank. A straight draw has probability. A video poker decision compares that probability against other possible holds. The ranking chart tells you what beats what. The strategy chart tells you what to do before the draw.
Formula / Calculation
Expected Value = Sum of Possible Final Hands × Their Probabilities × Their Payouts
Formula Explanation in Plain English
A straight draw is valuable only when the possible completed hands, their chances, and their payouts make that hold better than the alternatives.
That is why Strategy Chart and Expected Value matter more than gut feel. For broader game explanations, read Video Poker, Carnival Games, and Ask a Veteran.
Related Reading
To compare nearby hand ranks, read Flush, Full House, and Straight Flush. To connect rank names to money, read Paytable and Return to Player.