Does a straight beat one pair?
Yes. A straight beats one pair.
Makes a straight.
Makes a pair.
A straight is five cards in a row and easily beats a single pair, even a pair of aces. Several hand classes sit between them, so a straight is a clear favourite. A lone big pair is often overvalued against boards that complete straights.
On a board of A♦ 5♣ 9♠ 4♥ 3♠, one player holds A♠ K♣ for top pair with a king kicker and the other holds 6♥ 2♦ for a six-high straight. The aces were the best hand on the flop, but the low, connected runout is exactly what a wide big blind range connects with.
One pair, even aces with a king kicker, is a modest hand once the board connects. Low boards like A 5 4 3 hit the wide ranges that defend from the big blind, and a small suited hand can make a straight that top pair never sees coming. The gap between them is wide: two pair and three of a kind both sit between a straight and a single pair.
Quick tip: A straight beats one pair, including pocket aces.
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Practice real hands against opponents who punish the wrong calls.
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