Poker info XV
In poker games, the situation of open-ended occurs when any player has four or five cards that can help him build a straight hand and can be completed at any of the two ends. So, if he is holding 3, 4, 5 and 6 cards in his hand then he can make his hand into a straight either by adding a 2 card in front or a 7 card at the back. This is where the open-ended concept comes into play. It is evident that this situation is the same as an outside straight draw hand where the out needed to complete the straight needs only be added on either of the outside end. So, although the term open-ended is basically a part of draw poker games, its application of situation has led to its being used in Texas hold ‘em games as well.
Other situation when draw poker like situation can arise in hold ‘em and stud games is when the double-inside or two-way draw situation comes into play. Here two ranks of card separately can complete the hand by filling the gap in the card series. So if anyone is holding an ace, 3, 4, 5 and 7 cards then he can either use a 2 card to make a hand of ace, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or use a 6 card to complete a hand of 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Another open-ended condition in poker games happen when a person has the potential to complete a straight flush hand. So for the player having the 2, 3, 4 and 5 of hearts can complete a straight flush at either end by using an ace or a 6 of hearts. This type of hand is considered most favorable drawing hand since there is a possible 15 outs for the player to complete a good hand, with nine cards from the hearts suit to give him a straight flush and six cards to give him a straight hand.
