What are the nuts in poker?
The nuts is the best possible hand on a given board. If you hold the nuts, nobody can beat you at that moment. The nuts change on every street, so check again after the flop, turn and river.
How to find the nuts
Section titled “How to find the nuts”Go through the hand rankings from the top and ask: is this hand possible on this board?
- Is a straight flush possible? Are three cards of one suit close together?
- Is four of a kind or a full house possible? Is there a pair on the board?
- Is a flush possible? Are there three cards of one suit?
- Is a straight possible? Are there three cards within five ranks?
- If none of these, the nuts is the best three of a kind.
Examples
Section titled “Examples”| Board | The nuts |
|---|---|
| K♠ 9♦ 4♣ 2♥ 7♠ | Set of kings (K-K) |
| Q♥ J♥ 5♣ 8♥ 2♦ | Ace-high flush (A♥ + any heart) |
| 10♣ 9♦ 8♠ 2♥ 3♣ | Straight Q-J (Q-J-10-9-8) |
| K♠ K♦ 7♣ 7♥ 2♠ | Four kings |
| 9♥ 10♥ J♥ 2♣ 4♦ | Straight flush Q♥ K♥ or 8♥ Q♥ |
Nut flush, nut straight and second nuts
Section titled “Nut flush, nut straight and second nuts”- Nut flush: the flush with the ace of that suit (or the highest card missing from the board).
- Nut straight: the highest straight possible.
- Second nuts: the second-best possible hand. Strong, but be careful in big pots.
Nut draws
Section titled “Nut draws”A nut draw becomes the nuts if it hits, for example A♠ 5♠ on a board with two spades. It’s safer to chase than a low flush draw.
Why the nuts matter more in Omaha
Section titled “Why the nuts matter more in Omaha”In Omaha players have four cards, so the nuts appear much more often. A low flush or small straight that wins in Hold’em often loses in Omaha. See Hold’em vs Omaha.
What does ‘the nuts’ mean in poker?
Section titled “What does ‘the nuts’ mean in poker?”The best possible hand on the current board. Nobody can beat it at that moment.
What is the nut flush?
Section titled “What is the nut flush?”The highest possible flush, usually with the ace of that suit.
Can two players have the nuts?
Section titled “Can two players have the nuts?”Yes. For example, two players can hold the same nut straight and split the pot.
What is a nut draw?
Section titled “What is a nut draw?”A draw that will make the best possible hand if it hits, such as the ace-high flush draw.