Open End
An open end is a four-card sequence that can be made into a straight by two different cards. It is also called open at both ends or an open-ended draw.
The simple explanation
A hand such as 5-6-7-8 has an open end: a four or a nine makes a straight.
A closer look
Open ends have eight outs, which makes them good draws. The word can also be used for the draw itself. In stud, an open end is more valuable if the needed cards are not visible in other hands.
A practical example
You hold 8♥ 7♦ on a flop of 9♣ 6♦ 2♠. You have an open end.
Full explanation
An open end is a four-card sequence that can be made into a straight by two different cards. It is also called open at both ends or an open-ended draw.
An open end is a four-card straight draw with two completing ranks.
It has eight outs.
It is a good draw.
In stud, check that the cards are live.
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.