Blind to straights

[Spook]

Is it common for newer players to have a difficult time seeing the danger from straights lurking on the board? I've found myself getting blindsided by them fairly often and I want to work on it. Anyone with sympathy/advice for me?

[gutshot]

I still get blindisided at times. It often occurs when I pick up a solid hand like a set or two pair and then won't pay enough attention to the board and play my hand instead. Slow down a little bit and study the board instead of worrying about your hand. Think about how the board might help others.

[C-TOWN21]

Also, a holdem calculator will keep this from happening, I know it stopped me from missing them. a good one can be had at www.holdemcalculator.com and it is only $40. It will tell you the % chance of every possible hand out there based on the cards showing and how many players are in the hand....check it out.

[DaNutsInYoEye]

It use to be a problem for me too when I first started playing. I'd be blinded by my set or top two pair and get taken down by the straight. It still happens occasionally to me. Now it's usually in situations where I refuse to believe that someone would actually call a significant pre-flop raise with a hand like 4,7o and then continue to chase a gut shot. It happens though... Just have to remind yourself that this is the type of player you want at your table.

[dar103]

Just to beat a dead horse, I think that it's definitely something that will get better with experience. I too noticed this problem a lot in the first few months I was playing. You just have to check, double check, and triple check the board when you come up against resistance. It'll still bite you occasionally, but with experience you will at least see the potential straight. In this case, as Da Nuts said, it'll be when you refuse to believe that someone called your raises with their junk.

[TLR]

The problem does happen to beginners, and it does go away with experience

My 2 cents are - organize the cards in their value order and not in the order they are displayed, either do it in your head or write it on a piece of paper during play - it will help you see the possible straights