What is a Straight Flush? | Straight Flush Odds and Matchups Guide

A straight flush is the second best hand in Texas Hold’em, made up of five consecutive cards of the same suit. Learn what a straight flush is, how often it occurs, its exact odds on each street, and how it ranks against other strong hands like quads and a full house.

What is a Straight Flush?

Any Five Connected Suited Cards, Except 10 through Ace.

A straight flush is a five-card hand made up of consecutive cards that are all in the same suit. It ranks just below the royal flush, making it the second best hand in Texas Hold’em. Unlike a royal flush, which must be 10 through Ace, a straight flush can be any other five cards in order from the same suit.

For example, 5♠-6♠-7♠-8♠-9♠ or 9♦-10♦-J♦-Q♦-K♦ both count as straight flushes. Since the hand requires both a suited flush and a straight at the same time, it’s a rare combination compared to most hands you’ll see at the table.

Landing a straight flush usually means you’re taking down the pot. Only a royal flush beats it, and that’s incredibly rare. If you make one, enjoy the moment, it doesn’t happen often!

Straight Flush Odds

Any Two Random Hole Cards: 1 in 72,192 on the Flop | 1 in 3,589 by the River

Landing a straight flush in Texas Hold’em is extremely rare. With any two random hole cards, your chance of flopping one is just 1 in 72,192, and by the river it only climbs to about 1 in 3,589.

Straight Flush Overall Odds

Starting with suited connectors like 5♣-6♣ gives you about a 1 in 1,981 shot at a straight flush by the river. If your cards are suited but have a one-card gap (for example 8♦-10♦), the odds drop to roughly 1 in 2,936. From any two random hole cards, you’re looking at about 1 in 3,589.

Straight Flush Flop Odds

Flopping a straight flush with suited connectors (like 5♣-6♣) happens about 1 in 4,900. If your cards are gapped by one (like 8♦-10♦), it is around 1 in 9,800. From any two random cards, you are looking at roughly 1 in 72,192.

Straight Flush Turn Odds

If you flop four to a straight flush, the turn completes it about 1 in 47 times, since there is exactly one card that finishes your draw out of the 47 unseen cards.

Straight Flush River Odds

Once you have missed on the turn and still hold four to a straight flush, the river hit rate is 1 in 46, as one winning card remains among the 46 unknown cards.

Straight Flush Matchups

Matchup		Winner
Straight Flush	Royal Flush	Royal Flush
Straight Flush	Four of a Kind	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	Full House	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	Flush	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	Straight	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	Three of a Kind	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	Two Pair	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	One Pair	Straight Flush
Straight Flush	High Card	Straight Flush

Does a Straight Flush Beat a Royal Flush?

No, a royal flush always wins. While a straight flush is incredibly strong, it’s still one tier below a royal flush. Both hands follow the same format (five suited cards in sequence), but the royal flush is the highest possible version: 10-J-Q-K-A. If you’re holding a straight flush and your opponent flips over the royal, there’s nothing you can do.

Does a Straight Flush Beat Four of a Kind?

Yes. A straight flush beats four of a kind every time. Quads are a powerhouse in most hands, but they fall short against the flush + straight combination. Unless your opponent has a royal flush, your straight flush is a lock.

Does a Straight Flush Beat a Full House?

Definitely. A full house (three of a kind plus a pair) is strong, but a straight flush is stronger. You’ve got five connected, suited cards, which outrank a house in the poker hierarchy. Easy win.

Does a Straight Flush Beat a Flush?

Yes. A standard flush is five suited cards, but they don’t have to be in order. A straight flush requires both suit and sequence, making it far stronger than a regular flush.

Does a Straight Flush Beat a Straight?

Without question. A straight means five cards in sequence, but they don’t have to be the same suit. A straight flush does both, making it several tiers stronger and unbeatable in this matchup.

Does a Straight Flush Beat Three of a Kind?

Every time. A three of a kind (or trips) is a good hand at low to mid-level tables, but it doesn’t come close to beating a straight flush. You’re winning this one with ease.

Does a Straight Flush Beat Two Pair?

Yes. Two pair might win against bluffs or low hands, but it’s not even in the same league as a straight flush. There’s no path to victory for two pair here.

Does a Straight Flush Beat One Pair?

Absolutely. A pair is among the weakest made hands in Texas Hold’em. A straight flush completely dominates this matchup with no room for surprise wins.

Does a Straight Flush Beat High Card?

Every time. A high card is what players are left with when they can’t make a hand. It’s the absolute weakest showdown holding, while a straight flush is near the top. Total domination.

How to Play a Straight Flush

Slow Play Early, Value Bet Late

A straight flush is nearly unbeatable, so your focus should be on building the pot without scaring off opponents. With this hand, you can control the pace and sizing of the betting. Because no hand below a royal flush can beat it, you have room to be creative with how you play it.

If you hit the straight flush early (such as on the flop), slow playing can sometimes invite value bets or bluffs (but you still need to watch the board and your opponent!). On wet or coordinated boards, a more aggressive line might protect against potential redraws or kill cards.

Against loose players, lean into value betting on every street. Many won’t believe you’re holding a monster and will call down with top pair or two pair. Against thinking players, mix in deceptive lines to keep your range balanced and make your hand look weaker than it is. Just make sure to avoid betting too big too soon if your opponent seems unsure, you want them to keep calling.

The straight flush doesn’t come around often, so when it does, make it count. Whether you’re live or online, it’s one of the best hands to trap with, bluff-catch with, or use to punish loose play.

Straight Flush Overview | Is Straight Flush a Good Hand?

A Straight Flush is One of the Best Hands in Poker

The straight flush ranks just below the royal flush, and in most real-world situations, it’s just as powerful. It beats nearly every other hand in poker and appears so rarely that it’s always a thrill when it happens.

Like the royal flush, the straight flush also benefits from being hard to spot. Opponents might suspect a regular flush or a straight, but not both at once. This lets you keep your strength hidden and capitalize on value when the moment is right.

So yes, the straight flush is absolutely a great hand. It’s one of the strongest hands in the game, and when you hit it, you should take full advantage and enjoy the spotlight it brings.