Pokeriad / Learn / Straight draws
What are open-ended and gutshot straight draws?
Updated November 2026
An open-ended straight draw is four cards in a row that can be finished at either end, and it has 8 outs. A gutshot needs one card in the middle and has 4 outs, so it comes in half as often.
That difference decides how much you can pay to see the next card.
| Draw | Outs | One card to come | Two to come |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-ended | 8 | 17.4% | 31.5% |
| Double gutshot | 8 | 17.4% | 31.5% |
| Gutshot | 4 | 8.7% | 16.5% |
What does an open-ended draw look like?
Four cards in a row with room at both ends. With 9-8 on a flop of 7-6-2, a ten or a five finishes it. There are four of each left, so 8 cards help.
Open-ended
What does a gutshot look like?
Four cards with a gap you have to fill. With 9-8 on J-7-2, only a ten works, so you have 4 outs. It's also called an inside straight draw.
Gutshot
Are there draws that look different?
- Double gutshotOn J-8-5, a six or a ten completes it. Two gaps give you 8 outs, the same as open-ended, and it's much harder to see.
- Ace-high runOn Q-J-2 only a ten helps, since nothing goes above the ace. That's 4 outs even though the cards are in a row.
- Ace-low runOn A-2-9 only a five helps, for the same reason.
What price can you pay?
With one card to come, an open-ended draw can call a bet up to about 27% of the pot on price alone, and a gutshot about 10%. A half-pot bet costs a price of 25%, which is too much for either one unless you expect to get paid more later. Our page on implied odds covers that.
Biggest bet you can call
How often do you flop one?
Holding two connected cards such as 10-9, you flop an open-ended draw 9.71 times in 100 and a gutshot 16.82 times in 100.
When is a straight draw worse than it looks?
- Flush possibleIf the card that makes your straight also puts three of a suit out, you may have a straight and still lose.
- The low endFinishing the bottom of a straight when someone can have the top is an expensive way to come second.
- Paired boardA full house can already be out there.
Can you count the draw?
Twelve spots in three rounds.
Questions players ask
Which is better, an open-ended draw or a gutshot?
Open-ended, with twice as many outs.
Why is it called a gutshot?
You need a card in the middle, the "gut" of the straight.
Should I always bet a straight draw?
No. A semi-bluff works when your opponent can fold. Our page on fold equity shows the math.
How the numbers on this page were worked out
Exact card counts. With one card to come 46 cards are unseen, and with two to come 47 cards are unseen for the first and 46 for the second. The largest bet comes from setting the price equal to your chance of hitting.
Know someone who calls every gutshot?
Send them the price.