Why does a flush beat a straight?

[RustyBrooks]

For real.

From my pokertracker database:
straight: 3.44%
flush: 2.24%

How about that.

[zan nen]

Besides the deal about odds with 5 cards vs 7, maybe it is worth noting that a flush is easier to spot on the board than a straight.

[sexdotcom]

Lets use an example..by no means extensive.
Pretend we playing 5 card stud, for a flush to happen we need as thus.
1st card: any
2nd card: same suit so 12/51
3rd card: same suit so 11/50
4th card: same suti so 10/49
5th card: same suit so 9/48
To calculate the probabilty of a flush happening we multiply the 4 odds togeather = (12/51)x(11/50)x(10/49)x(9/48)

Lets say we now trying to draw a straight 56789
1st card: 7
2nd card: 32/51 (we can hit 3,4,5,6,8,9,T,J) lets say we hit a 8
3rd card: 24/50 (we can hit 4,5,6,9,T,J) lets say we hit a 6
4th card: 16/49 (we can hit 4,5,9,T) lets say we hit a 9
5th card: 8/48 (we can hit 5,T)
For the probabilty of get 56789 = (32/51)x(24/50)x(16/49)x(8/48)

If you compare the two result you will see the probabilty of hitting a flush if lower. And thats not taking into account of the numerous ways to hit a striaght (perms and coms).