Poker Glossary
Poker glossary

Gutshot Straight

A gutshot straight is a straight that was filled in the middle. For example, with nine and eight, a flop of 7-5-2 and a six on the turn, you have made a gutshot straight.

The simple explanation

You had an inside draw that needed one card. When it comes, you have a gutshot straight.

A closer look

The draw is weak, about 8.5 percent on the next card, so a made gutshot straight is often well hidden. Opponents do not expect you to have it, and it can win a big pot. However, check whether the board allows a higher straight or a flush.

A practical example

You hold 9♠ 8♠, the flop is 7♣ 5♥ 2♦ and the turn is 6♣. You have made a gutshot straight.

Full explanation

A gutshot straight is a straight that was filled in the middle. For example, with nine and eight, a flop of 7-5-2 and a six on the turn, you have made a gutshot straight.

A gutshot straight is filled in the middle.

The draw is weak, so the hand is well hidden.

It can win a large pot.

Check for a higher straight or a flush.

Alternative spelling: Gut Shot Straight, Gut-Shot Straight

A gutshot straight

No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake

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).

  1. 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 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  2. Preflop · Pot: 8 chips

    Player A raises to 6 before the flop.

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
  3. Preflop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
  4. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A has nine and eight. A six would fill the gap in the middle.

    Board: 7 of clubs (7c)5 of hearts (5h)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
  5. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player B checks.

    Board: 7 of clubs (7c)5 of hearts (5h)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
  6. Flop · Pot: 12 chips

    Player A checks.

    Board: 7 of clubs (7c)5 of hearts (5h)2 of diamonds (2d)

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
  7. Turn · Pot: 12 chips

    The six completes five, six, seven, eight and nine. Player A has made a gutshot straight.

    Board: 7 of clubs (7c)5 of hearts (5h)2 of diamonds (2d)6 of clubs (6c)

    • Player A BTN / SB 9 of spades (9s)8 of spades (8s) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
    • Player B BB Ace of clubs (Ac)Ace of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0

Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.

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