In a Row
In a row, or in a line, describes a sequence of cards: a straight. Five cards in a row make a straight.
The simple explanation
A straight is made of five cards in order, such as 5-6-7-8-9. When the cards are in a row, the order of the suit does not matter, but if all are of the same suit it is a straight flush.
A closer look
The phrase is used in older writing to describe a straight. Remember that the ace can be high or low in a straight, but a straight cannot wrap around: Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight. When comparing straights, the highest card decides.
A practical example
A player holds 9♥ 8♦ and the board is 10♣ 7♠ 6♦ 2♥ K♣. He has five cards in a row: 6-7-8-9-10.
Full explanation
In a row, or in a line, describes a sequence of cards: a straight. Five cards in a row make a straight.
In a row means a sequence of cards, or a straight.
The cards must be in order.
The ace can be high or low.
A straight cannot wrap around.
A straight
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 99 of hearts (9h)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 before the flop.
- Player A BTN / SB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 12 chips
Player B calls. Each player has put in 6 chips.
- Player A BTN / SB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
Player A holds nine and eight, and the flop brings ten, seven and six. Five cards in a row, from six to ten, make a straight.
Board: 1010 of clubs (Tc)77 of spades (7s)66 of diamonds (6d)
- Player A BTN / SB 99 of hearts (9h)88 of diamonds (8d) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
- Player B BB AAce of clubs (Ac)AAce of diamonds (Ad) · Stack 194 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.