What is Nuts?
The nuts is the best possible hand at a given moment in a poker hand, given the community cards on the board, which cannot be beaten by any other holding.
On a board of K, Q, J, 4, 2 with no possible flush, a player holding A and 10 has the nuts, an ace-high straight. The nuts can change as more cards are dealt: a hand that is the nuts on the flop might not be on the river.
Variations include the nut flush, meaning the highest possible flush, and the second nuts, the next best hand. Players with the nuts can bet knowing they cannot lose except to a split pot.
The term is common in poker commentary and coverage of televised tournaments. Because the strongest possible hand depends on what is on the board, players must reassess the nuts on every street. A hand such as a set can be the nuts on a dry flop but vulnerable once three cards of the same suit appear. Commentators often describe a player as holding 'the nut flush draw' when they need one more card to complete the best possible flush.