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STRAIGHT DRAWS & SUITED CONNECTORYS

Straight draws and suited connectors are key hands that can significantly impact your game. Approximately 50% of all hands you are dealt will contain some form of straight draw, and about 4%—or 1 in 28—will be suited connectors of some kind. Understanding the four major types of straight draws can give you a strategic edge at the table. These types include Connectors, One-Gap Connectors, Two-Gap Connectors, and Three-Gap Connectors. Each of these categories offers unique potential for building strong hands.

Within each of these major types, we can further break down the hands into three subcategories: At the End, Near the End, and In the Middle. These subcategories describe where the cards fall on the rank spectrum, from high card combinations like Ace/King to lower combinations like 3/4. By recognizing these different straight draw groups and subcategories, you’ll be better equipped to play these hands optimally and maximize your opportunities at the table.

STRAIGHT DRAWS - BY CONNECTOR CATEGORY

AT THE END CONNECTORY

NEAR THE END CONNECTORS

IN THE MIDDLE CONNECTORS

ROLL UP

Hands like Ace/King and King/Queen are connectors “At the End.” While they qualify as straight draws, they should not be played solely for that reason. The odds of making a straight from pre-flop to river with Ace/King are 32.3 to 1, or just a 3% chance. King/Queen fares slightly better, offering 19 to 1 odds (5% probability) of hitting a straight.

Instead, these “At the End” connectors are best played for their high card strength, not their straight potential. Hands like Ace/King are valuable because of their ability to form top pair with a strong kicker. Relying on these hands to make a straight is generally not a profitable strategy.

Hands like King/Queen or Queen/Jack fall under the “Near the End” category. These hands offer a bit more flexibility, as they hold both straight draw potential and high-card pairing value. However, their odds of hitting a straight are still limited. For example, King/Queen has 19 to 1 odds of making a straight by the river, or about a 5% chance.

In this category, the key is balancing the chance of hitting a straight with the possibility of making a strong pair. For example, King/Queen can win big with a top pair or straight.  But it’s not a hand you should play purely for straight draws.

Connectors like Jack/Ten, Ten/9, and Nine/8 fall into the “In the Middle” category. These hands have about a 9% probability, or 10 to 1 odds, of making a straight from pre-flop to river. While these hands hold better straight draw potential than higher-end connectors, they are not generally considered strong hands when played for card value alone.

You must play these hands with caution, paying close attention to board texture and the overall table dynamics. Middle connectors often thrive in multi-way pots where you can capitalize on drawing potential, but they can also lead to marginal situations if the board doesn’t develop favorably. The key is knowing when to continue in the hand and when to fold, especially against aggressive players.

Connectors vary in value based on position—At the End, Near the End, or In the Middle.

High-end connectors, like Ace/King and King/Queen, rely on card strength and dominate weaker hands.

Middle connectors, like Jack/Ten, offer better straight draw potential but require careful play based on position and board texture.

Low-end connectors, like 3/4, carry high risk and should only be played when potential rewards outweigh the dangers.

ONE GAP CONNECTORS

One-gap connectors are hands where there is one card missing between the two hole cards, such as Ace/Queen, King/Jack, or Jack/9. While they don’t offer the same straight potential as no-gap connectors, one-gap connectors can still provide strong opportunities, especially when played in the right situations.

AT THE END

NEAR THE END

IN THE MIDDLE

THE LIMITITATIONS

Hands like Ace/Queen or Ace/3 fall under “At the End” one-gap connectors. These hands have a 24 to 1 chance (4%) of making a straight from pre-flop to river. While the odds of hitting a straight are slim, Ace/Queen holds more value for its potential to make top pair with a strong kicker, especially in late position.

Conversely, hands like Ace/3 carry much less value due to the weak kicker, making them speculative at best. They are usually unprofitable unless you can see the flop cheaply in a favorable multi-way pot.

One-gap connectors like King/Jack or 5/3 fall into the “Near the End” category. King/Jack has a 19 to 1 chance (5%) of hitting a straight from pre-flop to river, giving it more flexibility. Not only does it offer a decent straight draw, but the potential to pair with a King or Jack adds value. These hands are typically worth playing in late position or when you can control the action.

Hands like 5/3, while having the same 13.29 to 1 odds (7%) of completing a straight, are highly speculative due to their low card value. These hands should only be played in favorable situations, like multi-way pots where you can see the flop cheaply, as they lack high-card strength.

One-gap connectors “In the Middle,” like Jack/9, Ten/8, 9/7, 8/6, and 7/5, have a 7% chance (13.29 to 1 odds) of making a straight.

Jack/9 and Ten/8 hold more value because their higher ranks can form top pair or two pair.

These hands offer more strength and greater versatility in post-flop situations.

Lower one-gap connectors, like 8/6 and 7/5, share the same straight odds but lack high-card strength.

Without the potential for top pair or strong two-pair hands, they become more speculative and risky.

Play these hands cautiously, preferably in late position and multi-way pots where implied odds improve.

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

One-gap connectors vary in value based on position—At the End, Near the End, or In the Middle.

Higher-ranked hands, like King/Jack or Jack/9, offer better post-flop potential due to their stronger card value.

Lower-ranked hands, like 8/6 or 7/5, require cautious play because they lack high-card strength.

Knowing their straight draw odds and limitations helps you make smarter decisions at the poker table.

TWO & THREE GAP CONNECTORS

Image of the YouTube Video Thumbnail for Straight Draws & Suited connectors.
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Two-gap and three-gap connectors have two or three missing cards between the hole cards. Examples include Ace/Jack, King/Ten (two-gap) and Ace/Ten (three-gap).

These hands technically qualify as straight draws, but their odds of hitting a straight are extremely low.

Because of their weak straight potential, players should rarely play them with that goal in mind.

Let’s break down their odds, risks, and strategic considerations.

IN THE MIDDLE

AT THE END & NEAR THE END

Two-gap connectors “In the Middle,” like Jack/8, Ten/7, or 9/6, have a 6% chance of hitting a straight. Their odds are 15.67 to 1.

Three-gap connectors “In the Middle,” like Jack/7 or Ten/6, have even worse odds. They hit a straight only 4% of the time at 24 to 1 odds.

Because straights are unlikely, both hand types are risky and unprofitable over the long term.

Only play these hands in favorable spots, such as a cheap late-position flop. Otherwise, fold pre-flop.

The risk is far greater than the reward.

High-end hands like Ace/Jack, King/Ten, and Ace/Ten offer some value due to their high-card strength.

Ace/Jack can still win by pairing an Ace or Jack, but King/Ten remains a marginal hand.

These hands often lose to stronger kickers when they hit top pair.

For example, King/Ten struggles against King/Queen or Ace/King when a King appears on the board.

Only play these hands from late position and when there’s minimal action before you.

Otherwise, fold pre-flop to avoid unnecessary risk.

FROM EARLY POSITION SUITED CONNECTORS BECOME TRAPS WATCH THE FULL VIDEO NOW
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OVER-VIEW FOR TWO & THREE GAP CONNECTORS

Whether two-gap or three-gap connectors, these hands are highly speculative and rarely worth playing for their straight potential. The odds of hitting a straight are simply too low to justify entering the pot with these hands, except in the most optimal circumstances. High-end hands like Ace/Jack or King/Ten can be played for their card value, but even they should be approached with caution. Long-term success with these hands will come from folding them more often than playing them.

REFERENCE CHART: UNDERSTANDING STRAIGHT DRAWS & STRATEGIC CONSIDERATIONS

Refer to the chart below to understand the straight draw potential of various hands.

The chart includes no-gap, one-gap, two-gap, and three-gap connectors, along with their probabilities and odds of making a straight.

Consider high-card value, especially with hands like Ace/King or King/Queen, not just straight potential.

Some hands offer strong straight odds, while others rely more on high-card strength.

For example, Ace/King has solid high-card value but low straight draw potential.

Watch for kicker issues, especially with hands like King/Ten or Ace/Three.

Even if you hit top pair, stronger kickers may still dominate your hand.

The chart also highlights hands with weak showdown value, even if they hit a high card.

Hands like 5/3 or 7/4 might make a straight but remain too weak due to poor kickers.

Recognizing these weaknesses helps you avoid investing in marginal hands unlikely to hold post-flop.

DOWNLOADABLE CHARTS: YOUR GO-TO POKER MATH TOOLS

STRAIGHT DRAW PROBABILITY & ODDS CHART

SUITED CONNECTORS PROBABILITY & ODDS CHART

OUTS, ODDS & PROBABILITIES CHART

This chart covers every suited connector from AKs down to 54s and shows the odds of flopping or making a flush or straight by the river. It’s not about vague “playability” — it’s the hard math of what these hands actually hit. If you’re overvaluing small suited connectors, this chart will set you straight.

👉 Download It Here. 

This chart covers every suited connector from AKs down to 54s and shows the odds of flopping or making a flush or straight by the river. It’s not about vague “playability” — it’s the hard math of what these hands actually hit. If you’re overvaluing small suited connectors, this chart will set you straight.

👉 Download It Here

To get the odds of hitting specific draws like open-ended straight draws, gutshots, flush draws, and combination draws (e.g., straight + flush), refer to this all-purpose chart. It lists total outs, turn/river odds, and percentage probabilities, giving you everything you need to make mathematically sound calls and folds in real time.

👉Download it here

SUITED CONNECTORS - ONE/TWO/THREE GAP

Suited connectors gain value from flush potential, unlike their off-suit counterparts.

Being suited increases hand strength by about 6%, but strategic risks remain.

Flush potential applies to all straight draw categories, but broader strategy matters.

Evaluate whether your flush will hold up before overvaluing suited connectors.

A 7-high flush may feel strong but often loses to better flushes.

There’s a 35% chance another player holds two suited cards, increasing domination risk.

If four suited cards appear on the board, expect stronger flushes to beat yours.

Low flushes lack high-card strength, making them dangerous and vulnerable.

 
 

BALANCING FLUSH & HIGH CARD VALUE

PLAYING SUITED CONNECTORS

While suited connectors give you additional flush potential, you must still account for the high card value of your hand. For instance, hitting a flush with Ace-high or King-high is much more reliable than hitting one with 7-high or 8-high. Hands like Ace/King suited or King/Queen suited not only offer flush possibilities but also give you the added benefit of playing for top pair or strong kicker value.

On the other hand, lower-end suited connectors, such as 8/6 or 7/5 suited, remain speculative at best. Even though the flush equity increases their hand strength by 6%, their lack of high card value still puts them at risk of being dominated in both flush and high-card situations. Additionally, low-flush hands often put you in tough spots post-flop when you’re unsure whether to proceed or fold due to kicker issues.

Playing suited connectors requires a balanced approach. Here are key strategic considerations:

  • Flush Potential Isn’t Everything: Don’t rely solely on the flush potential to make your decisions. Consider how your hand plays in various situations, especially when flush draws don’t materialize.
  • High Card Matters: Always factor in whether your hand has a solid high-card kicker. For instance, hands like Ace/King suited offer stronger flexibility because they can win with both flushes and top pair hands.
  • Be Wary of Low Flushes: Although any flush can be exciting, low flushes like 7-high are often dominated by stronger flushes. Be mindful of the risks and try to control the pot size when playing these hands.
  • Position is Key: Suited connectors play best in late position where you can see how the action unfolds and decide whether it’s worth investing further in the hand.

WRAP UP

Suited connectors gain about 6% hand value due to flush potential, but context matters.

Focus on more than just flush potential—consider high-card value, kicker issues, and out-flush risks.

Low flushes often lose to stronger flushes, making them dangerous to overplay.

Understanding these factors helps you maximize strengths while avoiding costly traps.

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