Why is a flush higher than a straight? Statistically equal..

[dirty_c]

I've read that if you have an open ended straight draw at the flop, you have about a 32% chance of completing it. I've also read that a four-flush draw has about a 35% chance of completing (by river, of course).

Since they are equally likely to happen, why is the flush worth more? Is it much more unlikely to get suited cards in the pocket than connected cards? If so, then that would make sense why the flush is worth more, despite being more likely to complete at the river given a four-draw by the flop.

[Fat Tony]

because there are way more cards available to complete your straight since you can use cards from all four suits.

[BrianGre]

if by "way more" you mean one, then I'll agree with you... :D

if you have a four card flush, then at most you have 9 cards to fill it..
if you have an open-ended str8 (on both ends) then at most you have 8 cards to fill it..


right?

[Fat Tony]

ok, ok, so i got bit exited. it should just read "more" :D

[nicthestick]

lol

[JohnnyCache]

I have actually always wondered about this myself. . . I would say because one had to be a little higher then the other!

[Krigan]

A flush is ranked higher simply because it is harder to make the hand than it is to make a straight. here is the percentages for you.

ROYAL FLUSH 0.0002 %
STRAIGHT FLUSH 0.0012 %
FOUR OF A KIND 0.0240 %
FULL HOUSE 0.1441 %
FLUSH 0.1967 %
STRAIGHT 0.3532 %
THREE OF A KIND 2.1128 %
TWO PAIR 4.7539 %
ONE PAIR 42.2569 %
NOTHING 50.1570 %

These are the odds for hitting these hands on the first five cards.

As far as why it is harder to hit a flush than a straight. I have given this some thought and at first glance the flush does seem to be a bit easier to hit because you always have at least 9 outs. when you are attempting to hit a straight it seems that you never have more than 8. But I think that perhaps the reason a straight is a little easier to hit is because before the flop there is actually 24 cards in the deck that could help you get a straight. The 3 cards below your connectors and the 3 cards above. Of course there is 4 of each of these for a total of 24. This is just a theory I came up with not hard fact, perhaps someone else has more insight.

[Sh1rp]

I'm pretty sure the rankings all go back to the odds in five card draw, not Hold 'em.

[thecadman]

Connected pocket cards would have 12 outs pre-flop to hit a straight. Am I right? 3 more cards needed and 4 of each one left?

A two suited pocket has 11 outs pre-flop to hit a flush.

The two aren't equal and the flush has less of chance even if it is just a marginal one card difference so therefore it should win.

[ThunderJ]

This is simplified to make it easier to see.

No matter what 1 card you have, there are only 12 cards left to reach a flush.

If you have the 10 of any suit there are 4-6's, 4-7's, 4-8's, 4-9's, 4-J's,
4-Q's, 4-K's and 4-A's available to reach a straight (32 cards)

If you have the A of any suit there are 4-2's, 4-3's, 4-4's, 4-5's, 4-10's,
4-J's, 4-Q's and 4-K's to get you there (32 cards).

If you have a 2 of any suit there are 4-A's, 4-3's, 4-4's, 4-5's and 4-6's to get you there (20 cards).

The worse possibility you have for a straight draw still gives you better odds than you have for a flush draw.

[chauncy]

A flush is higher because there are only 13 cards which can contribute to a flush. There are 20 cards that can contribute to make a straight.

[snoogins47]

*ahem*

As far as I'm aware, they are based on five draw odds.

However, I would assume it is as thus:

The chances that you make your four flush are higher than making a four straight.

However...

The chances, of having a straight through seven, vs. having a flush through seven... the straight is more likely.

Due to the mechanics of the game, the flush draws tend to be more powerful than the straight draws, for this very reason, along with the business of community cards and so forth making it easier to hold the nuts with a flush than it is with a straight.

That's my thinking, at least. Take it with a grain of salt, I don't have pages and pages of mathematical backing for this ;P

[vegasholdem]

It's easier to flop a straight than a flush...
...but after the flop....it's easier to complete a 4flush draw than to complete a 4straight draw!!!

I alwayz though that was a little weird...
...so basicaly, i'd rather have a 4flush draw than a 4straight draw Postflop...