Wheel

Basic Definition

A wheel is the straight A-2-3-4-5, the lowest possible straight. The ace counts as a 1. It's also called a "bicycle." When all five cards are the same suit, it is a straight flush called a "steel wheel."

Specific Situation

• You hold A3 and the board is 245K9. You have a wheel.


• With A2 on a 345 flop, you have a steel wheel (a five-high straight flush).


• If your opponent holds 63 on the same board, they make 2-3-4-5-6 and beat your wheel.

Important Information

• A wheel loses to every other straight, because in this straight the ace plays low, not high. Watch out for a 6 that makes 2-3-4-5-6.


• An ace cannot wrap around: Q-K-A-2-3 is not a straight.


• In lowball and in the low half of high-low games such as Omaha Hi-Lo, the wheel is the best possible low hand. That is why it carries a special name.

Examples of Term Usage

"I turned the wheel with A-3, but he had the six for a higher straight."