Why a wheel?

Hi everybody,

I read about a wheel in a poker book. The author said A5 is a better starting hand than, say...A4 because you can catch a wheel.

But, wouldn't getting A,2,3,4,5 be just as likely with A4? Is it just the tiny difference in kickers? 5 instead of 4?

Thanks,

Carthalion

Both hands can catch a wheel.

With higher hands you're better off with cards that are closer together because you've got more ways to catch a straight. For example:

T9 can make a straight with: KQJ, QJ8, J87, 876, plus four-card combinations.

T7, however, can only make a straight with: J98, 986 and four-card combinations.

Doesn't really apply to A5 and A4 making a wheel though, because in either case they need a perfect three-card combination (234 or 235, respectively) to make an ace-five straight.

The higher kicker does give A5 slightly more value preflop, but in terms of chances to make a wheel I'm really not sure what the book would've been talking about.

The author had to be talking about the kicker value of the 5 over a 4. Splitting hairs here still ace rag. I would think a-4 would be a better hand in a Hi-Lo game

Are you sure it didn't say that A5 was higher in value than A6-9 because of the wheel possibilities? Would make more sense imo.

wolfdex said:

I agree with your sentiments on A4. I don't see how the value of a 5 would increase better odds for a wheel. I mean you are just replace a 4 with the 5. It's still a quantity of 2 cards. Pre-flop and of course not knowing what the other players have , the odds of getting a straight should be know different with an A 4.

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I'm no math wizard, but I would think any 2 cards of the wheel have an equal chance (pf) of hitting on the board. As someone already suggested, this may also have been part of a discussion regarding a hi/lo game.

Even a 4,5 has the same chance of hitting a wheel, but there are added possibilities. 4,5 can fill ANY straight board combination from the Ace to the 8. Sure, a 5 is part of that straight run, but takes 4 board cards to get there (again, discounting that this may be an Omaha or hi/lo comment).

DaFrench1 said:

Are you sure it didn't say that A5 was higher in value than A6-9 because of the wheel possibilities? Would make more sense imo.

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That makes more sense to me.

Slightly disappointed I thought this thread was going to actually explain why A-5 straight was actually called 'wheel'. Guess I'll look it up afterall.

Happy new year to all and stay safe behind the 'wheel'!

TY for the info

TY for the feedback everybody. I am not surprised because I really thought through the value of A4 vs. A5. Maybe I misread the poker book, but the author said...never play A with a little kicker, except maybe A5 cause you could catch a wheel.

Also, I looked up Wheel in the glossary and it said...see Bycicle. And, bycicles do have two wheels, so at least that makes sense.

A5 is a hand you would only play when the stacks were deep. When you do catch a staright, you win big, but most often you wont so you can easily let it go.

In shortstack play, i.e. tournaments its a disatser as the kicker is so low.

angiedubs said:

Slightly disappointed I thought this thread was going to actually explain why A-5 straight was actually called 'wheel'. Guess I'll look it up afterall.

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It comes from it being called a bicycle.

From memory, it's called a bicycle for some stupid reason like "If you play this hand too hard you'll be broke and on your bicycle home" or something like that.