Sometims in hold em, we flop an open-ended straight draw (a draw that can be completed with two ranks of cards. Many beginning players, get too excited about this draw. Depending of the QUALITY of the draw, the power can range from very good, to poor. There are several types of open end straight draws, and we shall explore them all.

Let's start with the worst, and move up to the best.



UNDERCARD straight draw, with flush draw present


Example: 56, with 7 8 2, (two diamonds, that you don 't have)

Power: poor

Recommended action: Check, and only call if pot is large preflop, and not too many callers on flop. If say there were seven players, and now five of them call, it's too likely that someone has the flush draw, and you can make your hand with a card that makes on of them, a flush. Or, you can hit a straight on the turn, and have them subsequently make a flush, on river. also, in the event that your straight is completed with a 9, you can be beaten by J10 or 10 6. Pairing either of your cards, has very, very little chance of winning. AVOID THIS DRAW


UNdercard draw, no flush draw present


Example: 78, with 9 10 2 (rainbow)

Power: FAIR

Same concept as above, but at least you won't have to contend with a flush draw (as of yet), and it's at least possible to hit the nuts on the turn, with any six. Notice how this texture is also threatening, in that when the jack hits, the holdings that form a better straight, are commonly held

Recommended action: Check and call, unless very small pot and/or heads up. If flop bettor is too aggressive, and heads up, occasionally check raise semi bluff, to change gears and establish image of unpredictability.

INBETWEEN STRAIGHT DRAW (still no overcard


Example: 78, 6 9 2 flop no flush draw

Power: Fairly good

Recommended action: Bet into large field, for value. If you make straight, it will be the best hand (for now) Since it's only about 2-1 against making straight, if getting 4 or more to one on your investment (bet) betting is a good play. You also don't want opponents to know that you only bet top pair. Let there be some draw bets, too. That way when you have a set, you can go ahead and bet, since opponents know that sometimes you bet draws. Also, since there is only one overcard to your eight, sometimes you pair that, and no one had a nine. Notice how if you pair either card on turn, you will still also have an open end draw.


Same as above, but with flush draw present. Bet into Medium (3-4) field, but not into large (5 and up) field. Since there is a good chance someone has the flush draw (especially if they call the flop bet) YOu don't want to get into a raising war, on this flop.

STRAIGHT DRAWS ARE SUBSTANTIALLY WEAKENED, BY THE PRESENCE OF A FLUSH DRAW, ESPECIALLY WHEN MANY, AND/OR SENSIBLE PLAYERS CALL THE FLOP.



SINGLE OVERCARD STRAIGHT DRAW


Example: 10 8 (suited)

Flop: 9 7 2 no flush draw

Power: good

Recommandation: Bet out, regardless of size of field. Both ranks of cards make nut straight, and a ten may also win.

Same as above, but with flush draw.

Power: Pretty good

Recommandation: Tend to bet out, but don't get into raising war, that is acceptable if there is no flush draw. Occasionally check and raise a late position bettor, making it two bets to any flush draw. This may get a small flush draw to fold (not too likely, in smaller hold em) But will also Identify the holder of a flush draw. Known good players who call two bets cold, with this flop, very likely hold flush draws



DOUBLE OVER CARD STRAIGHT DRAW


The GRANDDADDY of open ended straight draws!! Now, we have very good potential to win pot, by pairing a card, in addition to our straight draw. Still, we have the benifit that if we pair, we will still have our straight draw, plus a good chance to win even if we don't make it.


Example: KQ flop: 10 J 2

Power: Very good


Recommandation: always bet out, or check with the intention of check raising. Whether or not the flush draw is present, this is a very good draw. This is because your pairing potential, is good, and this will more than offset the times you make a straight and someone makes the flush.


If no flush draw, and very large field, be prepared to put in maximum raises, if everyone calls. Not that this is FANTASTIC, but the pot odds will be much greater than the odds of making a winning hand, and it's always good to be seen as an action player. Putting in extra action, with what will be perceived by the lessor trained opponents as "only" a straight draw, will help you get EXTRA action, when you flop big hands.


Well friends, there are even more types of straight draws, but that's all for today


Adam the Expert

Thanks ,ATE, should anyone doubt your tremendous wisdom I read this post at about 125p.m. today while playing 1-2 at Full Tilt. Not 2 hands later i am dealt in the small blind. The unraised pot comes to me with 3 limpers so i call. To make a long story short the flop came 9 10 4 rainbow and instead of making my usual weak check& call play at this pot and winning 10 big bets I played aggressively. When one of my opponents hit a king on the turn, making me a straight he was trapped for several more bets and i ended up taking a pot of 21 big bets instead of 10-14. Thanks, checks in the mail.

Another reason to bet that flop is that someone with KQ or AJ may fold. Then when a queen or jack hit, you can still beat the guy who called with KT.