Belly Buster in Poker | Inside Straight Draw Explained

In poker, a belly buster is a slang term for an inside straight draw. This happens when you need only one specific rank in the middle of your sequence to make a straight. Unlike open-ended straight draws, belly busters only give you four (one rank of each suit) outs, making them much harder to hit.

What Does Belly Buster Mean in Poker?

A belly buster (or gutshot) is when you’re missing just a single middle card to complete your straight:

• You hold 8♠ 9♠ and the board is Q♦ J♥ 3♣.
• You need a ten to make your straight.
• Any other card won’t complete it. 
   

Because only four cards in the deck can save you, belly busters are considered much weaker draws compared to an open-ended draw.

Why Belly Busters Matter to You

Even though belly busters are far less likely to hit, they still play a very big role in poker strategy:

• Semi-bluffing tool: You can bet aggressively with fold equity, knowing you still have some outs.
• Disguised strength: When you hit, opponents often don’t see it coming, making it a potentially very profitable position.
• Risk/reward balance: Since they’re harder to complete, you need to weigh pot odds carefully. There could be a big reward, but pursuing this hand brings great risk. 
   

Understanding how belly busters work and how to use them gives you more options at the table and more playable hands, especially when deciding whether to call or bluff.

Example of a Belly Buster in Play

You’re dealt Q♣ 9♣, and the flop comes 10♦ K♦ 2♠.

• You need a king to complete a straight (9–10–J–Q–K).
• That’s four possible cards (J♣, J♦, J♥, J♠).
• If a jack lands, you’ll have the nuts, but without it, your hand has very little value. 
   

This example shows both the potential danger and power of chasing a belly buster; it’s a long shot, but if it hits, you can win a huge pot. Especially since your opponent might not expect you to have a straight.

FAQs

How many outs does a belly buster have? 
Always four outs, since only one rank of card can complete your straight, of any suit.

Is a belly buster the same as a gutshot? 
Yes. There are different poker terms for the exact same type of draw.

Which is stronger, a belly buster or an open-ended straight draw? 
An open-ended draw is stronger because it gives you eight outs instead of four. One rank on each side of the straight.