What Does Belly Buster (Gutshot Straight Draw) Mean in Poker?
A Belly Buster or Gutshot Straight Draw refers to a situation in poker where a player has four of the five cards needed to complete a straight, and the missing card is one that would fill a gap in the sequence. For example, holding 5-6-8-9, where the player needs a 7 to complete the straight.
When You Might Hear Or Use The Term Belly Buster (Gutshot Straight Draw)
You might hear this term during hand analyses or in-game discussions when a player is drawing to a straight with only one specific card that can complete their hand.
In-Game Example
Imagine you’re holding 67 and the board shows 45J. You have a gutshot straight draw, needing an 8 to complete your straight.
Strategy / Tips
- Best Practice: Consider the pot odds and implied odds before chasing a gutshot straight draw. It’s often more beneficial to draw when you have additional outs, like a backdoor flush draw.
- Common Mistake: Overcommitting chips to a gutshot draw without proper pot odds, leading to negative expected value plays.
- Pro Tips: Use gutshot draws as semi-bluffing opportunities, especially in position, to apply pressure and potentially win the pot without hitting your draw.
- Differences playing over the table vs online: Online play may require more aggressive semi-bluffing with gutshots due to the faster pace and data-driven opponents.
Alternative Names
Gutshot, Inside Straight Draw
FAQs
- Q: Is a gutshot straight draw worth pursuing?
A: It depends on the pot odds, implied odds, and your position. Evaluate the overall context before proceeding. - Q: How does a gutshot differ from an open-ended straight draw?
A: An open-ended straight draw has four outs on each end of the sequence, providing more opportunities to complete the straight.
