One‑Gap (One‑Gapper)
A one-gap hand, or one-gapper, is a starting hand whose two cards are two ranks apart, with one rank missing between them, such as J-9 or 6-4. It can make a straight only in a few ways.
The simple explanation
Jack-nine has a gap: the ten is missing. A connected hand like jack-ten has no gap. A one-gapper makes fewer straights than a connector, but it still has some value, especially when suited.
A closer look
One-gappers are used in ranges mainly when suited and in late position. They make a straight with fewer card combinations than connectors, so their equity is a little lower. They are worth calling with when the price is low and stacks are deep. Hand charts use the terms one-gapper, two-gapper and so on for the number of missing ranks.
A practical example
You are dealt J♥ 9♥. This is a suited one-gap hand.
Full explanation
A one-gap hand, or one-gapper, is a starting hand whose two cards are two ranks apart, with one rank missing between them, such as J-9 or 6-4. It can make a straight only in a few ways.
A one-gap hand has two cards two ranks apart.
Jack-nine is an example.
It makes fewer straights than connectors.
It is more playable when suited.
Alternative spelling: One Gap, One Gapper, One-Gapper, 1-gap, 1-gapper
A one-gap hand
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 JJack of hearts (Jh)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 199 · In this round 1
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)33 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
- Preflop · Pot: 8 chips
Player A raises to 6 with jack and nine of hearts. The cards are two ranks apart, with one rank between them. This is a one-gap hand, or one-gapper.
- Player A BTN / SB JJack of hearts (Jh)99 of hearts (9h) · Stack 194 · In this round 6
- Player B BB KKing of clubs (Kc)33 of diamonds (3d) · Stack 198 · In this round 2
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.