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