What counts as a straight in poker and how does it affect the outcome of the game?

In Poker, a straight is a hand with five consecutive cards of any suit. It affects the outcome of the game by determining the ranking of hands. A straight is a strong hand that can beat lower-ranking hands like pairs or three of a kind, but can be beaten by higher-ranking hands like a flush or a full house. Having a straight increases a player's chances of winning the hand.