What is Gutshot Straight Draw in poker?

A gutshot, also known as an inside straight draw, occurs when you have four cards to a straight but need one specific card in the middle to complete it—for example, holding 5-6-8-9 and needing a 7. This draw has only four outs, giving you approximately 8.5% odds to hit on the next street. Gutshots are often played as semi-bluffs, particularly with additional equity like a backdoor flush draw, or when implied odds are excellent against a strong but vulnerable hand. Pot odds and opponent reads are key to profitably pursuing a gutshot.

You hold 8-9 on a T-7-2 flop. You have a gutshot needing a 6 to make a straight. You decide to semi-bluff with a bet.

Gutshot Straight Draw (Gutshot) belongs to the Hands side of the game and shows up in almost every hand of Texas Hold'em. If you are just starting out, read the poker rules and the hand rankings first, then come back here. To practise risk-free you can play against our AI right on the site. Ready for a real table? See how to join the club.