In poker, the term “draw” refers to a situation where a player’s hand is incomplete but has the potential to improve significantly with additional cards. A drawing hand is often one card away from forming a strong hand, such as a straight or a flush. The most common types of draws are flush draws and straight draws.
Types of Draws in Poker
1. Flush Draw
A flush draw occurs when a player has four cards of the same suit and needs one more card of that suit to complete a flush. For example, if a player holds A K , and the board shows 10 , 3 , and 5 , they have a flush draw. If a spade comes on the turn or river, they complete their flush.
2. Straight Draw
A straight draw happens when a player needs one more card to complete a sequence of five consecutive ranks. There are two main types of straight draws:
- Open-ended straight draw: The player needs a card on either end of the sequence. For instance, if you hold 7 8 , and the board shows 9 , 10 , and 2 , you have an open-ended straight draw. A 6 or J would complete your straight.
- Gutshot (inside) straight draw: This draw is less favorable, as the player needs a specific card to complete the straight. For example, holding 7 8 , and a board of 10 , J , and 2 , the player needs exactly a 9 to complete their straight.
Importance of Draws in Poker Strategy
Playing a drawing hand effectively requires evaluating pot odds and implied odds. Pot odds help you decide whether it’s worth calling a bet to complete your draw. Implied odds, on the other hand, consider the potential future earnings if you hit your draw and win more money from your opponent.
For example, if you’re on a flush draw and the pot odds are favorable, it might make sense to call a bet hoping to hit the final flush card. However, if the bet is too large compared to the potential payoff, it may not be worth pursuing the draw.
