Poker Odds

Poker odds are figures that tell you how likely it is that you will make a certain hand. In Texas Hold’em probability is important, because you can use the poker odds to decide whether calling a particular bet will give you value for money. For example, if you have four cards of the same suit after the flop and you need one more for a flush, the poker odds of you hitting a card of the required suit on the turn are 4.2 to 1. Hold’em probability therefore suggests that if the pot will pay you more than those odds merit, you should stay in the game. If the pot is lower than the poker odds suggest is appropriate, folding might be the most sensible option.

Hold Em Probability

Hand	Number	Approx Odds (to 1)
Royal Flush	4	649,740
Straight flush	36	72,192
Four of a kind	624	4,164
Full House	3,744	693
Flush	5,108	508
Straight	10,200	254
Three of a kind	54,912	46
Two pairs	123,552	20
One pair	1,098,240	1.37
No hand	1,302,540	1

Odds Against Improving a Hand

Cards Held	Drawn	Improved hand	Odds against (to 1)
One Pair	3	Two pair Three of a kind Full House Four of a kind Any improvement	5.3 7.8 97 360 2.5
One Pair plus kicker	2	Two Pairs Three of a kind Full house Four of a kind Any improvement	4.8 12 120 1080 2.8
Three of a kind	2	Full house Four of a kind Any improvement	15.3 22.5 8.7
Four straight cards (open both ways)	1	Straight	5
Inside straight	1	Straight	10.8
Four card flush	1	Flush	4.2
Four card flush (open ended)	1	Straight Flush Straight or better	22.5 2
Four card straight flush (inside)	1	Straight Flush Straight or better	46 3