Hands and boards
Draw in poker
Definition
A hand that is not yet made but can become a strong one with the right card to come.
The most common draws are flush draws and straight draws. How profitable a draw is depends on the number of outs, the price of the bet you face and how much you can win when you hit.
Draws are also good semi-bluff hands, because you can win either by making the opponent fold or by hitting your card.
Related terms
- OutsThe unseen cards that will improve your hand to one that is likely to win.
- Flush drawFour cards to a flush, needing one more card of the same suit; it has nine outs.
- Open-ended straight draw (OESD)Four consecutive cards that can become a straight with a card on either end; it has eight outs.
- Semi-bluffA bet or raise with a hand that is not yet best but can improve to a strong hand if called.
- Pot oddsThe ratio between the size of the pot and the cost of a call; it gives the equity you need for a call to break even.
- Made handA hand that already has a showdown value, such as a pair or better, as opposed to a draw.