Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

High straight poker

In poker, a high straight is the highest-ranking straight available in a given variant, most commonly an ace-high straight such as 10-J-Q-K-A.

Example in poker dice
10-J-Q-K-A1
Standard straight
Five consecutive cards25
Ranking in poker dice
High straight beats the lower straight 9-10-J-Q-K1

Key points

  • In poker dice, the high straight is the roll 10-J-Q-K-A, ranked above the lower straight 9-10-J-Q-K.1
  • Ace may be high or low depending on the rules, but not both at once within the same straight.34
  • The term identifies the strongest straight under the rules of the specific game, such as in poker dice or variant poker games.13

Where this term is used

Not the same as

  • 4 card straight poker — a specific variant game centred on four-card straight combinations, while high straight is the strongest straight within whatever straight-based rule set is used
  • Straight poker with ace — not a standard fixed term; if it means an ace-high straight, then high straight is the ace-high end of the straight ranking, while ace may also be low in some variants
Poker Straight poker A poker hand category or game variant; high straight is the top straight within that category. Poker Straight flush poker A hand that is both a straight and a flush; a high straight flush is the highest possible straight flush. Poker Omaha poker high low A split-pot variant where high and low hands are both awarded; high straight is a strong high hand. Poker Omaha poker A community card poker game; high straight is a strong hand in the high-only version. Poker Flush poker A hand of five cards all the same suit; high straight is a different hand category. Poker Straight flush A straight where all cards are the same suit; a royal flush is the highest straight flush.

Sources

  1. Poker dice - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Defines high straight in poker dice as 10-J-Q-K-A and gives the ranking.
  2. Wikipedia:Today's featured list/April 4, 2014 - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Confirms that a straight is five consecutive cards.
  3. Rules of Card Games: Straights pagat.com Explains that ace may be high or low in straight rankings and that the term applies to variant games.
  4. Regeln von Kartenspielen: Rangfolge der Pokerblätter pagat.com Clarifies that ace cannot be both high and low in the same straight.
  5. Ranking of Poker Hands pagat.com Provides the standard definition of a straight as five consecutive cards.

Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.