Open Ended Straight Draw
What Does Open Ended Straight Draw Mean in Poker?
An Open Ended Straight Draw is a situation in poker where a player has four consecutive cards and needs one more on either end to complete a straight. For example, holding 5, 6, 7, and 8, a player can complete the straight with a 4 or a 9.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Open Ended Straight Draw
This term often comes up during discussions of potential outs and probabilities when a player is deciding whether to call, bet, or fold, especially on the flop or turn.
In-Game Example
Imagine you’re holding 67 and the flop comes 892. You have an open ended straight draw because a 5 or 10 will complete your straight.
Strategy / Tips
Best Practice: Calculate pot odds to decide whether pursuing the draw is profitable, especially when in position.
Common Mistake: Overcommitting chips when the draw odds do not justify the investment.
Pro Tips: Use aggression with open ended straight draws to apply pressure, especially in position, turning your semi-bluff into a strong move.
Differences Playing Over the Table vs Online
In live poker, you might pick up physical tells when opponents are drawing. Online, rely more on bet sizing and timing tells to gauge their strength.
Alternative Names
Also known as “OESD” or “Up and Down Straight Draw.”
FAQs
Q: What are the odds of hitting an open ended straight draw?
A: With two cards to come (on the flop), you have about a 31.5% chance; with one card (on the turn), it’s about 17.4%.
