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I was under the impression that, in Texas Holdem, "Aces are always high". However, I have been playing online and I noticed that aces are used in a low straight (A, 2, 3, 4, 5). Was I mistaken that "Aces are always high", or is the online app that I have been using in error by using aces as low card in a straight?

Jon
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Tony
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    I guess one of the intentions of all the Stack Exchange sites *is* to be where one looks things up, as the network is a trusted source, the question ranks highly in SEO, and the answer will be peer-reviewed by a educated community? – StuartLC May 02 '16 at 14:56
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    Do not understand ace to nine straight? Please explain. – C. Fetner Sep 27 '20 at 19:21
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    @C.Fetner it sounds like you're playing shortdeck poker. – Grinch91 Sep 28 '20 at 10:16

1 Answers1

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Aces may indeed be used as low in a straight in holdem. A2345 is the lowest possible straight, also sometimes called a "wheel." In any other context, aces will be ranked higher than other cards.

Chris Farmer
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  • Also straight flushes: A2345 suited beats quads, but loses to 23456 suited. All poker games using traditional high hands recognize the wheel as a straight, except "Deuce to Seven" (aka "Kansas City") lowball. In 2-to-7, a wheel is just A-5-4-3-2 high, thus beating any other A-high, but losing to K-high. – Lee Daniel Crocker Nov 13 '14 at 22:25
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    Note that `23456` is a better straight than `A2345` whose value compared to other straights is ranked by the `5` and not the `A`. – Paul Nov 18 '14 at 22:18
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    @Paulpro Hence my wording describing A2345 as the "lowest possible straight." – Chris Farmer Nov 19 '14 at 00:03
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    @ChrisFarmer Yea, your answer is good. The note wasn't intended for you. I was just providing additional clarification, for the OP or any other reader, by giving an example comparing it to the next lowest straight. – Paul Nov 19 '14 at 00:31
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    I once played pai-gow poker, A pit game where your playing against the house, I had a king high straight, the dealer had a wheel, they said the wheel won because it was ace high. I just left and never played the game again. In home games and casino table games you may want clarify. – Jon Nov 21 '14 at 06:43
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    For Pai Gow Poker as played in Nevada, the casino was correct: wheel beats a K-high straight, but loses to Broadway. California casinos play the wheel low, as in normal poker. – Lee Daniel Crocker Nov 24 '14 at 17:26