Wraps without counting

Counting straight outs under pressure is what breaks most live players; the hand is pretty, the numbers are slippery, and the bet is already in front of you. So we do not count. We look at a shape.

• Three of your cards in a row sitting on top of two board cards, like J-T-9 over 8-7, is a wrap. Thirteen outs to a straight, most of them to the nuts if the board has no pair and no flush draw. Red.
• Two of your cards in a row over the board is an open-ender. Eight outs. Orange.
• A hole in the middle, like J-9 over 8-7 needing a ten, is a gutshot. Four outs. Yellow.
• Your cards below the board, like 6-5 under 8-7, make the low end of the straight. When you hit it, somebody often holds the high end. Yellow at best, and grey against a bet.
• A paired board or three of a suit when you do not hold the ace of that suit: your straight draw is grey. The hand that beats a straight is already possible.

Today's drill is the same colour drill, but the engine deals more connected boards. Look for the shape before anything else.