Broadway Poker: Poker Terms

August 22, 2024

Table of content:

What does the term Broadway in poker mean?
How to play the hand of Broadway correctly?
Why is Broadway Draw difficult to manage?
Types of Plays That Makes Broadway Draw Difficult
FAQ's

If you have been learning about poker, Broadway poker is a term you must have encountered in some poker strategy articles. Now, if you are wondering what a Broadway draw in poker terms is, here’s a quick guide wherein we have detailed the meaning of Broadway in poker and discussed some key ways for playing poker Broadway cards.

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What is Broadway in Poker?

In poker, the term Broadway poker is often used to refer to the 5-highest ranked cards in poker: Ten, Jack, Queen, King and Ace. Individually, each of these cards is referred to as a poker Broadway card. When a poker player holds all 5 poker Broadway cards to make a straight, he is often said to be holding a poker Broadway straight (Ten-Jack-Queen-King-Ace).

To put it simply, Broadway is a term that is generally used in two different contexts. Firstly, Broadway in poker is an adjective for any card between a Ten and an Ace. Secondly, Broadway in poker is also used to describe the Ten to Ace straight or Ace-high straight.

Vital to this, a Broadway draw in poker is any 4-card hand that needs only 1 poker Broadway card to complete a poker term Broadway straight or Ace-High straight. For instance – Let’s assume you are playing a game of poker wherein you have been dealt Ten spades and an Ace of clubs for starting hands. The flop round comes, and 3 cards – King of diamonds, Jack of Spades and 8 of hearts are dealt face up.

If you notice you already have a Broadway draw in poker, you only need a Jack on the turn or river to complete it. This will give you a Broadway straight.

Broadway Poker Hand

In poker, Broadway straight is the best straight possible. However, in poker straight, Broadway is not the best poker hand. Precisely because the flushes, full houses, quads, straight flush and royal flush all rank higher than a poker Broadway straight. Regarding Broadway draws in poker, a player’s position, in general, plays an extremely crucial role.

Vital to this, you must always aim to play aggressively if you are in the middle or late position and hold a poker Broadway hand. However, if you are out of position, always be prepared to muck your hand. This is because though the poker term Broadway straight is a strong hand by poker standards, it is still beatable.

Additionally, if there’s a 3-bet or re-raise before you, take it as a clear sign that you need to muck your hand precisely because there is a high chance that your poker term Broadway's hand has been dominated and one or more of your opponents have hit a flush or a full house. You will likely run into trouble if you do not muck your hand here.

Examples of "Broadway":

Texas Hold'em: If a player holds an Ace and King in their hand and the community cards are 10, Jack, and Queen, they have achieved a Broadway straight.
Omaha: A player with A-K-Q-J-2 in their hand and a community board showing a 10 would also complete a Broadway straight.
No-Limit Hold'em: If a player holds 10 and Jack in their hand and the community cards are Queen, King, and Ace, they would have a Broadway straight.

Why is Broadway Draw Difficult to Manage?

The reasons that make Broadway draw poker quite challenging to manage are:

Many participants are in a dilemma when strategizing their game.
The player experiences a problematic situation folding if a flush knocks, but simultaneously, he has to accomplish it straight.
You must remember that the probability of hitting Broadway straight is not much in your favor. We are left with 4 outs to hit.
It is next to impossible to fold a Broadway after the flop because Broadway shall forever be a nut straight.
You are left with only an 8.51% probability of accomplishing your hand by the turn and an 8.70% chance if you go by the river.
You might lose money if you run behind chasing the draw.
Strategize the number of hands in a way that can beat Broadway. Any flush, full house, 4-of-a-kind, straight flush, and royal flush hand holds the potential to beat you.

Also Read

Types of Plays That Makes Broadway Draw Difficult

There are some additional points which can make the Broadway complex:

1. A flush draw rival has a far better probability of finishing his hand than a Broadway draw competitor. With 9 outs for the flush, turning a card has a 19.15 % probability by the river and a 19.57% probability by the turn. Your chances of obtaining a Broadway are up by 2 times, which cannot overpower a flush.

2. A rival with two pairs after the flop has four outs to complete a full house. In a basic sense, this means that you will be left with the same odds as against someone competing for a full house by turn or river. Observe your opponent's play and the range it is targeting to achieve. Otherwise, it may prove lethal to you.

FAQ's About Broadway Poker

Why is it called Broadway in poker?

In poker, "Broadway" refers to the highest straight possible, A-K-Q-J-10, which resembles a street or avenue in New York City. It's also called a "Royal Broadway.”

What is Broadway straight?

Broadway straight is another word for Broadway or Royal Broadway in Poker.

What is a Broadway flop in poker?

In poker, a "Broadway flop" refers to a flop containing three cards that are 10 or higher, creating the potential for a Broadway straight (A-K-Q-J-10) or a high pair.

Is poker more luck or strategy?

Poker is a game of both skill and chance, with strategy and decision-making playing a significant role in long-term success. Luck can influence individual hands, but skill is crucial for consistent winning.

What is a bad beat in poker?

A "bad beat" in poker refers to a strong hand losing to an even stronger hand, often due to a statistically unlikely outcome or an unexpected turn of events.