What is a Wrap Around Straight in Poker?
Understanding Wraps in Omaha Poker
The wrap around straight, often called a 'wrap,' is a key concept in Omaha-based games.
A “wrap” in Omaha is a term used to describe any straight draw with more than 8 outs. These types of draws are impossible in Hold’em with the maximum number of outs being 8 for the open ended straight draw.
Wraps are extremely important in Omaha since the regular 8 and 4 out straight-draws are often considered to be little more than garbage. Wraps are powerhouse hands in Omaha, especially in situations where they are accompanied by a flush draw or backdoor flush draw. Due to the sheer amount of outs some of these combo wrap draws have, it’s possible for them to be equity favourites even against strong made hands. Standard nut wraps often have 9, 13, or 16 outs, but it is possible for them to have as many as 20.
Can Straights Wrap Around in Poker?
We are possibly familiar with the idea that an Ace cannot be in the middle of a straight construct. Aces can be low (A,2,3,4,5) or high (T,J,Q,K,A) for the purposes of a straight, but they can’t fall into the middle of the construct (Q,K,A,2,3).
Players may ask, 'Do straights wrap around in poker?' In most games, straights cannot wrap around, meaning an Ace cannot fall into the middle of a straight like QKA23. There is no reason why players can’t allow such hands to be legal in their private home games or as a standard feature in some of the more exotic poker variants.
Many players wonder, 'Can straights wrap around?' In most poker games, wrap around straights, where an Ace falls into the middle of a construct, are not allowed. Players often wonder, 'Can a straight wrap around in poker?' The answer depends on the game variant. In most standard poker formats, wrap around straights are not valid unless explicitly stated as part of the variant’s rules.
Are Wrap Around Straights Allowed in Poker Variants?
While wrap around straights are not valid in most standard poker games, some home games or exotic poker variants allow them. For instance, a hand like QKA23 might be considered a valid straight if the rules explicitly permit it. Always clarify the rules with other players before starting a game to avoid confusion during gameplay.
Wrap Around Straight Draws: What You Need to Know
These are no different from regular straight draws apart from the fact that we are now playing in a game that allows wrap around straights. Similar to other variants we can further differentiate between gutshots (QK23) and open ended straight draws (QKA2).
Example of Wrap around straight used in a sentence -> We decided to mix thing up a little by allowing wrap around straights as legal hands in our home game.
Using Wrap Around Straights Strategically in Poker
Wraps are extremely important holdings in Omaha. For a fuller understanding on computing the strength of various wraps, check out the glossary entry under wrap.
Most players need not concern themselves with the other type of wrap around straight (Q,K,A,2,3) simply because they are not legal hands in the vast majority of poker formats. Assuming they are defined as legal by the variant rules, they play very similarly to other types of straight draws. It’s worth making sure everyone at the table is clear on the hand rankings for wrap around straights to avoid any nasty surprises. Presumably JQKA2 (two-high) is the weakest possible straight, but it might be that not all players at the table see it that way.
