What is Broadway in Poker

Introduction

What do players mean when discussing having a ‘Broadway’ hand?

Let’s discover.

A Broadway is central to many powerful hands and highly valued across various poker games, especially in Texas Hold’em. This article will explore Broadway and how players can use it.

What is Broadway in Poker?

Broadway in Poker is a term used to describe the sequence of cards that form the highest possible straight. It consists of five cards: 10, J, Q, K, and A of any suit.

The term ‘Broadway’ is believed to have originated from the association with New York City’s famous Broadway street, symbolizing the ‘biggest’ or ‘grand’. Just as Broadway is known for its noteworthiness in the theatre world, a Broadway straight is the pinnacle of straights in poker.

Since it involves the highest-value cards, a Broadway straight beats any lower straight, such as a 9-high straight (5, 6, 7, 8, 9) or a wheel (A, 2, 3, 4, 5), holding two Broadway cards creates opportunities to form top pairs, straights, and flushes if suited.

Example:

Hole Cards: K♦ Q♦

Board: A♠ 10♣ J♥ 4♠ 9♠

The player holding K♦ Q♦ has completed a Broadway straight from 10 to Ace, which would be a near-unbeatable hand in most scenarios, except against flushes or full houses.

Broadway Hands

• Ace-King (A♠ K♠)

• Ace-Queen (A♠ Q♠)

• Ace-Jack (A♠ J♠)

• King-Queen (K♠ Q♠)

• King-Jack (K♠ J♠)

• Queen-Jack (Q♠ J♠)

• Jack-Ten (J♠ T♠)

• Ace-Ten (A♠ T♠)

• King-Ten (K♠ T♠)

• Jack-Nine (J♠ 9♠):

Broadway Draws

A Broadway draw occurs when you are one card away from completing the Broadway straight. This situation often arises when you have cards like KQ and the board shows something like J-10-4. In this case, an Ace on the turn or river would complete the Broadway straight.

Players with Broadway draws often play more aggressively, betting or raising to build the pot and force weaker hands out of contention. They know they will likely have the best hand at showdown if they complete the straight.

Broadway and Suited Cards

When Broadway cards are suited, they become even stronger. Not only do they offer the potential to form a straight, but they can also make a flush, which might beat straights or other high hands.

Example: Holding A♠ K♠ offers the chance to form a Broadway straight and a nut flush if three spades land on the board. This combination of high straight and flush potential makes suited Broadway hands some of the best-starting hands in poker.

Broadway vs Other Poker Hands

Broadway hands tend to dominate weaker or lower-ranked hands. For example, a player holding Ace-King is in a strong position against hands like 7-8 or 9-10 unless those lower-ranked hands make two pairs or straights.

Broadway hands like Ace-Queen or King-Queen are often played to out-kick lower pairs. For instance, if both players hold an Ace, the Broadway card's higher kicker would decide the hand's winner.

Strategy for Playing Broadway Hands

Here’s a breakdown of the strategy for playing Broadway's hands:

1. Pre-Flop Play

• Aggression is key: Broadway hands (like AK, AQ, etc.) are often premium holdings. It is usually optimal to raise or re-raise pre-flop to build the pot and gain control.
• Position matters: In an early position, you should be more cautious, as players may have strong hands after you. In a late position, you can be more aggressive, especially if there has been minimal action before you.
• Against 3-bets: If you hold hands like AK or AQ and face a 3-bet, it is a good idea to call a 4-bet (depending on stack sizes and opponent tendencies). With suited Broadway cards, calling can be favourable, especially in deep stack situations.

2. Post-Flop Play

• When you hit the flop:
• Top pair/top kicker (like AK on an A-high board): This is a very strong hand. You should continue with bets to build the pot and protect your hand against potential draws.
• Straight draw potential: If the flop has cards like Q-J-9 or K-Q-9, you have strong straight draw equity. Semi-bluffing with aggression can be a great move to take down the pot immediately or improve your hand on the turn or river.
• When you miss the flop: Broadway hands can still have a lot of value if you miss the board. You might still be ahead of hands like pocket pairs if you have overcards (like AK on a 7-8-3 flop). Continuation betting (C-betting) can force folds from weaker hands.
• Beware of coordinated boards: Boards with a lot of straight or flush potential can be dangerous even with a strong Broadway hand. Play cautiously on coordinated boards like T-9-8 or J-Q-K of the same suit.

3. Turn and River Play

• Improved hand: If you hit your straight or top pair on the turn or river, continue betting for value. However, be mindful of the potential for your opponent to hit a better straight or flush.
• Missed draws: If you don’t improve, consider whether a bluff could make sense depending on your read of your opponent. With Broadway cards like AK, the strength of having the best-unpaired hand can sometimes warrant a value bet on the river against weaker holdings.

4. Understanding Opponents

• Against tight players: They will often have strong hands if they call or raise pre-flop. Be cautious, especially if they show aggression post-flop.
• Against loose players: You can often bet for value with your Broadway hands since they are likely to call with weaker holdings.

5. Broadway in Multi-Way Pots

• Be cautious with multiple players: In multi-way pots, the strength of hands like AQ or AJ diminishes somewhat because there is a higher chance someone has a better hand. Play more cautiously, especially if the board is connected.
• Straight potential: Broadway hands are also valuable when they have straight potential. Be aggressive on boards that draw you to the nuts (e.g., if you have KQ on a J-10-X board).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Broadway Straight?

Broadway straight is the highest possible in poker, consisting of 10, J, Q, K, and A. It is the strongest straight combination, beating all lower straights, such as a 9-high straight (5, 6, 7, 8, 9). The Broadway straight is a powerful hand and is often difficult to beat, only losing to higher-ranked hands like flushes, full houses, or four-of-a-kind.

What is a Broadway Draw?

Broadway draw happens when a player is one card away from completing a Broadway straight (10, J, Q, K, A). For example, holding KQ on a board showing J-10-4 gives a player a Broadway draw, needing only an Ace to complete the straight. Players often bet or raise aggressively in this scenario due to the potential to hit a high-ranking hand.

What mistakes should I avoid with a Broadway straight?

Common mistakes include overplaying your Broadway straight and ignoring potential threats on the board, such as flushes and full houses. It would be best to be mindful of your opponents' betting behaviour. Additionally, you must avoid betting too small when you have a strong hand, as this may not extract the maximum value from your opponents. Striking a balance between aggressive and cautious play will enhance your success with a Broadway straight.

Conclusion

Broadway's hands are crucial to a solid poker strategy due to their potential for high pair formation and strong straights. By mastering Broadway hands, you can enhance your overall performance at the game table.