Open at Both Ends
Open at both ends means a four-card sequence that can become a straight with two different cards, one at each end. It is also called an open-ended draw.
The simple explanation
If you have 6-7-8-9, a five or a ten completes your straight. Both ends are open.
A closer look
An open-ended straight draw has eight outs, about 17 percent on the next card. It is stronger than a gutshot. The draw is not open-ended if one end is the ace or the two. It is a good semi-bluffing hand.
A practical example
You hold 8♥ 7♦ and the flop is 9♣ 6♦ 2♠. A five or a ten gives you a straight.
Full explanation
Open at both ends means a four-card sequence that can become a straight with two different cards, one at each end. It is also called an open-ended draw.
Open at both ends means two cards complete the straight.
It has eight outs.
It is stronger than a gutshot.
Good for semi-bluffs.
An open-ended straight draw
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Preflop · Pot: 3 chips
The blinds are 1 and 2 chips. Heads-up, the dealer (D) also posts the small blind.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB 88 of hearts (8h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of hearts (8h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB 88 of hearts (8h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B has four cards in a row, from six to nine. A five or a ten completes the straight, so this is an open-ended straight draw with eight outs.
Board: 99 of clubs (9c)66 of diamonds (6d)22 of spades (2s)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB 88 of hearts (8h)77 of diamonds (7d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.