What is a Wrap in Poker?

Introduction

In Poker, every edge counts. One of the biggest advantages you can have in the game is recognizing strong drawing hands. If you have played Omaha, you have likely heard the term ‘wrap’ — a powerful straight draw. 

Understanding wraps is crucial for making smart betting decisions and maximizing your winnings. In this blog, we will explore what wrap draws are and the best strategies to play them like a pro.

What is Wrap in Poker

A wrap refers to a special kind of straight draw that is commonly found in Omaha variants, particularly Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO). It occurs when a player's hole cards create multiple possible straight combinations with the community cards, leading to a higher number of outs compared to standard straight draws in Texas Hold'em.

In Omaha, where players must use exactly two hole cards and three community cards, a wrap draw can provide anywhere from 9 to 17 outs, making it one of the strongest drawing hands.

Understanding Wrap Draws

A wrap is different from an open-ended or gutshot straight draw in Texas Hold’em because:

1. It involves three or four hole cards that interact with the board.
2. It provides more outs (up to 17 compared to 8 in Hold’em).
3. It is only possible in community card games like Omaha, not in Texas Hold'em.

In Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO), strong wraps are highly valuable and often justify aggressive betting or even all-in moves, especially when combined with a flush draw.

Types of Wrap Draws

Wrap draws are classified based on the number of outs they provide to make a straight.

1. 17-Card Wrap (Maximum Wrap)

A 17-out wrap is the strongest possible straight draw in Omaha. It happens when a player has four consecutive hole cards that interact with the board to form multiple straight possibilities.

Example:

• Board: 6♠ 7♦ J♣
• Player’s Hand: 8♠ 9♥ 10♣ Q♦

Straight possibilities:

• 7-8-9-10
• 8-9-10-J
• 9-10-J-Q
• 6-7-8-9

Cards that complete the straight:

• Any 5, 8, 9, 10, or Q
• Total outs = 17

This is an extremely powerful draw because more than one-third of the unseen deck helps complete the straight.

2. 13-Card Wrap

A 13-out wrap is slightly weaker but still a strong drawing hand. It occurs when the player's hole cards provide multiple ways to complete a straight, but fewer than the 17-out wrap.

Example:

• Board: 5♠ 7♣ J♦
• Player’s Hand: 6♦ 8♥ 9♠ Q♣

Straight possibilities:

• 6-7-8-9
• 7-8-9-J

Cards that complete the straight:

• 4, 6, 8, 9, 10
• Total outs = 13

3. 9-Card Wrap

A 9-out wrap is the weakest type of wrap draw but still offers a strong chance of hitting a straight.

Example:

• Board: 4♣ 6♥ 10♠
• Player’s Hand: 5♠ 7♦ 9♣ K♥

Straight possibilities:

• 4-5-6-7
• 6-7-8-9

Cards that complete the straight:

• 3, 5, 7, 8
• Total outs = 9

While this wrap is weaker than the 13 or 17-out wrap, it still provides an improvement over a simple open-ended straight draw, which has only 8 outs in Texas Hold’em.

Wraps vs. Straight Draws in Texas Hold’em

In Texas Hold’em, straight draws are categorized as:

1. Open-Ended Straight Draw (8 outs)

Example: You hold 6♠ 7♠, and the board is 5♠ 8♦ Q♣.

You need a 4 or 9 to complete the straight.

2. Gutshot Straight Draw (4 outs)

Example: You hold 6♠ 10♠, and the board is 5♠ 8♦ Q♣.

You need a 7 to complete the straight.

In contrast, Omaha wraps are much stronger because they provide 9 to 17 outs instead of just 4 or 8.

Wrap Strategies in Omaha

1. Combining Wraps with Flush Draws

A wrap combined with a flush draw is one of the strongest hands in Omaha.

Example:

• Board: 7♠ 8♠ Q♦
• Player’s Hand: 9♠ 10♠ J♣ K♠

Here, you have:

• 17-card wrap
• Nut flush draw (spades)

With 17 straight outs + 9 flush outs, you have 26 total outs, making this a monster draw.

2. Playing Wraps Aggressively

In Position: If you have a strong wrap, betting or raising is often a good strategy to build the pot or apply pressure.

Out of Position: Consider check-raising with big wraps to force opponents to make mistakes.

3. Beware of Counterfeiting

Omaha requires you to use exactly two hole cards, so some board runouts can reduce the strength of your wrap.

Example of Counterfeiting

• Board: 6♠ 7♠ 10♦
• Player’s Hand: 8♦ 9♠ Q♣ J♥

If the turn and river are 6♣ 7♥, your straight is now weak against a full house.

4. Recognizing Reverse Implied Odds

If the board is coordinated (e.g., 7♠ 8♠ 9♦), and you hit your straight on the turn, it might not be the nuts. Opponents with a higher straight or flush draw can dominate your hand.

Pot-Limit Omaha Betting with Wraps

In PLO, betting is often pot-sized due to the structure. Wraps are strong enough to justify aggressive betting.

Scenario 1: 17-Card Wrap + Flush Draw

Action: Bet/raise aggressively. You can even go all-in on the flop.

Scenario 2: 9-Card Wrap

Action: If facing a strong bet, consider pot odds. If your wrap is weak and the board is paired, folding is reasonable.

Wrap Hand Rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wrap in Poker?

A wrap is a strong straight draw in Omaha, where a player’s hole cards provide multiple ways to complete a straight. Unlike Texas Hold’em, where the best straight draw has 8 outs, a wrap can have 9, 13, or even 17 outs, making it much stronger.

How does a wrap differ from an open-ended straight draw?

An open-ended straight draw in Hold’em has 8 outs, while a wrap in Omaha can have up to 17 outs, giving you more chances to improve. This makes wraps far more valuable and aggressive plays more profitable.

What is the strongest type of wrap draw?

The 17-out wrap is the best, as it provides the maximum number of outs to complete a straight. For example, holding 8♠ 9♥ 10♣ Q♦ on a 6♠ 7♦ J♣ board gives you 17 ways to hit a straight.

Should you always bet aggressively with a wrap?

Not always. If your wrap is weak (e.g., 9-out wrap) and the board is paired or has flush potential, be cautious. However, strong wraps (13+ outs) should generally be played aggressively.

Conclusion

Wrap draws offer multiple ways to complete a straight and give players a mathematical edge over standard straight draws in Hold’em. Mastering wrap play allows you to maximize winnings in Pot-Limit Omaha and exploit opponents who don’t fully understand the power of these hands.