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.

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).

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 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.

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.