Straight Draw
Having four cards to a straight with one or more cards to come. Can be open-ended (8 outs) or a gutshot (4 outs).
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What Is Straight Draw?
An open-ended straight draw (OESD) can complete on either end, such as 6-7-8-9 needing a 5 or 10, giving 8 outs. A gutshot, or inside straight draw, needs one specific rank in the middle of the sequence, such as 6-7-9-10 needing an 8, giving only 4 outs.
Examples
Holding 9-10 on a board of 7-8-2 for an open-ended straight draw needing a 6 or Jack.
Holding J-9 on a board of Q-8-2 for a gutshot needing a 10.
Strategy Tips
Use pot odds and implied odds to determine whether calling with a straight draw is profitable, factoring in your roughly 32% (OESD) or 17% (gutshot) chance to complete by the river with two cards to come. Combo draws that pair a straight draw with a flush draw or overcards are significantly stronger and often worth semi-bluffing aggressively. Be cautious of drawing to a non-nut straight when the board allows for a higher straight, since you can be drawing to a losing hand. Position matters a great deal with straight draws -- being in position lets you realize your equity more easily and control the pot size.