Hello,

I was in a certain event the other night. Before the flop, there was no raise and I was in the small blind therefore I called a 8d-4d. Flop then brought Ks-10d-6-d. After a while, my opponent raised a small amount and so I called it. Turn came and brought 7c. He later put me all-in which made me think I already have sufficient outs to call him. Afterwards, I showed my hand and he showed his pair of 10′s. Before he could say anything back then, river came and brought 9h. In the end, I won the pot with the straight. Before we finally called the game over, he said something to me like “How can you call me with an 8 high flush draw?” and I told him I didn’t even need the flush to beat him. Your thoughts on this?

Well, I also got into with this opponent later when he raised me $10 and I came over the top and with an Ace high raised him $40. He then folded and I showed it to him but he said I don’t have to make such act at all. On my part, I did it to let him know I wasn’t afraid to bluff but at some point I don’t know if it’s a bad poker etiquette actually. What do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Regards,
Jason
Jason,

In the first hand, unless the bet on the turn was less than 25% of the pot, you really should not have called that bet. You did not have the odds to draw. You needed to catch a five or your flush to win, but at the turn you had only a 24% chance to win.

It’s not bad etiquette to show your hand, but some people take it as you showing them up or trying to embarrass them.

Related articles:

1. Played With Weakness
2. Playing With KK
3. With Losing Hands

Hello,

I have a problem on how to calculate poker odds. Well, I have already seen all the hand odds/probabilities charts and already found brief summaries on how to calculate poker odds. But still, I have some questions in mind. Say you didn’t get an ace for a first card and so the odds of getting it on your second increase to 51:1. I know writing everything in paper is quite impractical, so can I do the calculation myself?

Assume that I have two suited cards in my hand and I like to calculate the poker odds of drawing a complete flush by the flop, and so as by the turn and river. In case I have 3 to the flush on the flop, what’s next? How about 4 to the flush on the flop, etc.?

Please help me. Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Charlie Cowell
Charlie,

By all means, if you would rather do calculations yourself, you can, but to be honest, doing them on paper is long and drawed out. You need to learn to be able to do these calculations in your head. You should use the 4 – 2 method to calculate odds. Also, you shouldn’t be trying to figure odds on runner runner draws. That is just going to burn money out of your stack.

Related articles:

1. Improving Pocket Cards Odds
2. Texas Holdem Pot Odds
3. Adjusting Game and Quick Calculation Method of Odds

Hi,

Well I’m aware of the shortcut used when figuring out poker odds that I really like; the 4 – 2 rule. And I understand to take the number of outs you have before the turn and simply multiply it by 4 to know your success rate. And before the river, do the same thing but multiply it by 2. I wonder if there’s a shortcut that use the same methodology, you think of any?

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Howell
Howell,

The 4-2 rule IS the shortcut. Figuring odds usually involves long equations that many math challenged people can’t grasp. This is a simplified way to do things.

Related articles:

1. 4/2 Rule
2. 4/2 Rule and KsTs
3. Turn or River Odds

Hi,

I’ve been checking on your site for some tips and strategies. One time as I was reading one of your articles, I thought of something which I can’t directly figured out. Most of the time, you base the establishing of the odds of getting a card on fourth street and then on fifth street on the remaining deck, for an instance 47 then 46. Well to me this is just simple to understand but I have one concern. In case there are nine other players, each with two pocket cards, will the probability of catching `your trips/four of a kind, straight, flush etc., become conditional on your need cards not sitting in another pocket? How do you think one figures out the real statistical probabilities with regards to such?

I’ll be glad to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Lance
Lance,

You figure your probability based on unseen cards. Just because the cards “might” be in someone else’s hand, that does not mean they are. I’m sure that the statistical probabilities are available on said scenario, but they are not part of practical poker odds calculations.

Related articles:

1. Improving Pocket Cards Odds
2. How to Calculate Poker Odds
3. More On Odds

Hi,

I’ve been into poker for some time now but for some reasons I still don’t when I’m supposed to draw. Any thoughts? For an instance I have a four flush on the flop and someone bets big, do you think I should call fold? Or if not, raise?

Your help will be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot!

Warm regards,
Romeo
Romeo,

You should only draw to a straight or flush when you have the proper odds to do so. The simplest way to figure this out is first to determine what outs you have. Say you have 9 outs to hit your hand after the flop. Multiply this by 4 and you have your percentage to hit your hand. If you are on the turn, multiply by 2. Next, divide the amount that you must call in the pot, by the current pot size. This will give you the percentage of the pot that your call represents. If the percentage of your hitting the hand is greater than or equal to the percentage of the pot that you must call, then you should draw. If not, then fold.

Related articles:

1. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
2. Turn or River Odds
3. On Odds

Hi there!

I’m here once again to ask something. This time my question is regarding odds of improving pocket cards. Once I had the chance to take a look at the table you provided under the heading ‘Hand odds and probabilities’ but things seemed a bit confusing as the poker terminologies used were complexed then.

Now, say I am dealt a pocket pair and I would like to know the odds of improving this by the flop, turn and river for all possible combinations. Format could be like ??/1 and could actually be used for other variations of pocket cards like suited cards for flushes and straight flushes, connected cards for straights, and the like.

I’ll be expecting for your response in no time.

Thanks a ton!

Regards,
Gerard McClaine
Gerard,

First lets figure out your odds not to improve on each card on the flop. First, 48 cards out of 50 will not improve you hand on the flop. This is represented by 48/50. The second card is 47/50, and the third card 46/50. You then divide the numerator by the denominator and get you percentage for each card. For our example that is .96, .959, and .958. Multiply those three numbers together and you get .88, which is 88%. This means that there is an 88% chance that you will miss the flop and a 12% chance that you will hit the flop and make your set.

Beyond this, use the 4 and 2 method to calculate turn and river odds. Multiply your out, 2, by 4 which will yield 8% to catch your set on the turn. Then multiply 2 by 2 to get your result of 4% to improve on the river.

I would recommend you do some research about calculations online to help determine the other variations that you’re looking for.

Related articles:

1. Turn or River Odds
2. Cards Unseen and Odds
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hi,

I’m wondering if what are the odds for the over cards hitting again, any idea? And before preflop, how do you figure them out? Well I do know that there’s a 6 out of 47 and 6 out of 46 percent chance of hitting on the turn and river, however how do you calculate for all three cards of the flop? Your thoughts please.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Many thanks,
Jeffrey Green
Jeffrey,

The odds of your overcards hitting the flop are 2 to 1 against. To calculate this, deduct the number of cards in your hand and all the aces and king remaining in the deck. The flops that can be dealt that miss your hand is C(44,3). The percentage of flops you won’t pair is C(44,3)/C(50,3), or about 67%, which is 2:1 once converted into odds.

Related articles:

1. Burning Cards and Odds of Hitting
2. How to Calculate Poker Odds
3. Improving Pocket Cards Odds

Hi,

Thanks for your quick response last time. Now I believe I have already figured out the equivalent to your examples of figuring out pot odds:

The equation for finding pot odds based off the pot value is:
(100 * Bet Amount) / %Chance to Hit < Pot Value

The equation for finding pot odds based off the bet amount is:
(%Chance to Hit * Pot Value) / 100 > Bet Amount

For me, the first equation is easier to calculate than the second but actually works tougher in no limit against limit as bets could be any odd number. Second equation is actually harder to compute however works better in no limit.

Anything to say or comment about my equations? I hope I make sense here.

I’ll be looking forward for your response. Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Tim
Tim,

I am not a math expert, but if this calculation is producing the desired result in your game, by all means use it. Use whatever advantage you can to help your win ethically.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds Equation
2. Pot Odds Problems
3. On Odds

Hello,

Many people talk about odd and implied odds. Honestly, I don’t know how they arrived at their figures. And I don’t know of anyone who has taken into consideration cards that were already dealt but were dead.

Well, I know this has no scientific basis and was only based on 100 hands dealt, however I pulled 2 nines out of a deck to represent my hand, then randomly dealt 16 cards to represent 8 players who folded their cards,leaving my hand to go heads up against the 10th player.
45% of the time….no nines dealt.
35% of the time….1 nine was dealt.
20% of the time….2 nines were dealt.

I believe it’s the same thing with flushes and straights. Anyway, I wonder how can percentages or probabilities be close to being true or accurate without all the information available, any idea?

Your thoughts please.

Thank you in advance!

Warm regards,
Anthony
Anthony,

They are odds. They are probabilities. They are not scientific fact. You base calculations on unseen cards and the potential cards. It would be more accurate with more information, but since that is not possible, you have to go with the best calculation to give you the best approximation.

Related articles:

1. Improving Pocket Cards Odds
2. Cards Unseen and Odds
3. About Odds

Well, I already quite understand how odds are calculated. Just one thing hinders me for fully understanding it. When you’re playing with 3 other players, how do you consider your outs? In case you have pocket jacks, you may find it hard to calculate as somebody else at the table may have your jack. When during a game, how do you survive this?

Thanks in advance!

Kirby
Kirby,

You don’t worry about this. You go by the cards that are unseen. While it may be true that one of the players holds the cards, you go by cards unseen to make calculations.

Related articles:

1. More On Odds
2. Cards Unseen and Odds
3. Burning Cards and Odds of Hitting

Yesterday I was in a friendly tourney. Something came up. Right after I mucked my straight flush draw on the river based on pot odds and saw the card I needed, I started to think if pots odds are really that important in a tourney ever since. Your thoughts on this?

In ring games I know pot odds are significant in case you want to play with probabilities and make them play in your advantage.

By the way, if I may just share this, I lost AAA once to a guy who called my all-in with lesser chips and with a straight draw on the river. He needed a 9 and then that was it, he got A 9 on the river. Was he just lucky then?

Thank you very much!

Regards,
Turner
Turner,

Pot odds are very important in tournaments. A lot of times it makes the difference in calling an all-in for your tournament life and folding.

In regards to the A-9 hand, he was just lucky. On the flop, he had 16% to win and on the turn he only had 8% to win.

Related articles:

1. Adjusting Game and Quick Calculation Method of Odds
2. On Odds
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hello,

Say you are at a full table with 9 other players. Then there are 20 cards dealt, 1 is burned and flop 3 is dealt. You actually have AK when flop appears, K 9 2. You have 5 outs ( A,A, A K K) Based on the 4/2 rule, there would be a 20% (4 x 5) possibility for the turn and 10% (2 x 5) for the river. But I wonder, should the 24 cards that were initially bet be considered?

Thanks and more power!

Warm regards,
Jones
Jones,

When using the 4/2 rule, you don’t worry about cards you see or that have been dealt. This is a simplified pot odds method to use that doesn’t require high math competency to use.

Related articles:

1. On 4/2 Rule
2. Rule on Cards Touching the Muck
3. 4/2 Rule and KsTs

Hi,

Just recently, I had an argument with a certain guy online. Well, he went all in with Queens and had two callers who created a side pot. Back then, I had AJ. There was another guy but I don’t know what he had then as he folded earlier. At some point, I had running Aces on the turn and river to win the hand. He then started complaining about my luckiness. I told him afterwards that Queens was not a mortal lock as long as I had one overcard and straight potential. And that with two callers, he was actually the favorite but also the overall dog.

I’ve been watching WSOP for some time now and from it I’ve learned a few things. The most important thing I guess is the one about when a pair against two overcards is a 53% favorite head’s up; the higher of two pairs is an 80% favorite head-to-head.

Anyway, guy who hosted the house game said I played the worst starting hand (72) against the best (AA) which will win about 12% of the time. Your thoughts?

On a side note, what are the odds of QQ against AJ as outlined above? I think the answer would be around 65%.

Thank you in advance!

Best regards,
Tyler
Tyler,

Pocket queens are 71% against A-J. 7-2 offsuit will indeed beat A-A 12% of the time. You were incorrect with him being an overall underdog with two callers. Actually, with 2 callers, he becomes more of a favorite over you depending on the hand. His win percentage is lowered, but so is everyone elses.

As far as your hand, you were fortunate to win, but heads-up both of the hands were very strong. He is just upset you won.

Related articles:

1. Odds of Winning
2. On Heads Up Play
3. An Argument About Side Pot

Hello,

I know that the odds on seeing a hand may be similar in various games. But how about in Draw vs. Holdem?

Last night I was in a game. At some point I saw a royal along with some players, more or less 5. Do you think there’s a better or worse chance to see a royal flush on the table with more or less players? Well, for some, the more players, the more chances to see a royal as more cards are actually in play. But for those who are mathematically inclined, number of players doesn’t matter, the odds of seeing a royal flush still the same whether there are 10 or 2 players. Any thoughts?

Thanks a ton!

Best regards,
Tristan
Tristan,

When you say on the table, do you mean on the board or do you mean with one of the players having the hand complete it? My guess is the latter. I would say that the odds to see a royal will increase with more players in the hand, if a royal is possible, but also it depends on how many of the cards are on the board. I think that if it requires two cards from the player, the odds probably stay the same. They would go up, if there were 4 to the royal on board.

Related articles:

1. On Odds
2. What’s Next After Knowing the Odds?
3. Turn or River Odds

Hello,

Say in a heads up play players involve are all in preflop and one has AA and the other one has AQ unsuited, what do you think will the odds of winning be?

Thanks a lot!

Best regards,
Chubz
Chubz,

The player with A-A is a 92% favorite over A-Q unsuited. A-Q has a 7% chance to win.

Related articles:

1. Heads Up Odds
2. AA or KK
3. Winning Hand

Hi,

I don’t know why but it seems to me that drawing for a flush fails more often that I expect. Well, I know that I should also consider that the other players or burn cards are of my suit. For example, I hold two hearts and two hearts come on the flop. In reality, it’s 9 outs for me with two shots to get those outs. And if I will base it on the probability chart, there’ll be a 39% chance to complete. If in quick method, 9 outs * 2 opportunities = 18 * 2 + 1 = 37%. More or less, I’ll call a decent number of bets with a 1:3 chance of a flush.

However, what if there are 8 other players at the table and every player is holding two hole cards, so that would be 16 cards, which probability tells me means 4 hearts? Do you think I should just consider that there are only 5 outs? If so then there’ll be 21% chance, 1:5. Calling will not be a good idea then.

Hope to hear from you in no time.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
Dennis Martin
Dennis,

You don’t take into consideration other players when calculating your odds. Logic would dictate that you should, but in reality you do not. You go with your nine outs.

Related articles:

1. On Odds
2. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hi,

I actually have two questions to ask but before I lay them down let me first share a bit of myself and my poker experience. Well, I am a beginner who play for small amounts with other couples. For the last 6 months, I’ve played online and lost for many times. The bad beats just actually ended when I started following your advices, tips, etc. Thanks to you!

Now here are my questions:

1. How do you quickly figure how much is in the pot when figuring pot odds? Do you normally keep track of it as you go or just make an estimation when it is already your time to make a move?
2. Say I have Ace 8 h and the flop is queen h 5h 3d. Then my outs are 9 h’s and 3 aces for a total of 12 outs. Later to hit 4th street I have around 24% chance and to the river I have around 48%. At such point, pot size is $100 and for me to stay it will cost me $25 or less. But I wonder, what if it will cost me $75 to stay to see 4th street? Will it be worth it?

Thanks in advance!

Warm regards,
James
James,

1. You need to either track it yourself or get good at estimating the pot size by sight.
   
2. A $75 bet is 42% of the pot. Since you have a 48% chance on the flop to hit your hand by the river, you have odds and should call.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds Problems
2. With Implied Odds
3. Turn or River Odds

Hi,

I’m here to ask this, how will you know you have the best hand? Recently I played online and had KQs. Well, it was a 1$ big blind table. At the position before the button, there were no raises preflop therefore I just raised 1$. Players who were in the hand called. Flop then came and brought 333. Checks all around followed. After a while turn came and brought Q, it then checked all around. River came and was K. It later checked around to me therefore I decided to place 5$ bet. Everyone else then folded except for one player who re-raised me 15$. I then called with the thought that everything was just a bluff. He then showed me K3 off suit and immediately taken down the pot.

Now as I try to analyze things up I can’t afford not to think that I maybe have misplayed the hand. Also, I’ve read in books and websites that “If the pot is laying you 6:1 and your no worse than that to win it, make the call”. But I don’t know how can I ascertain if I’m 6:1 to win the hand or not.

The other day I’ve seen plenty of examples on your odds of making a draw or improving your hand, but I wonder, what if you’re not drawing to the Nuts, how can you tell what your winning odds are?

Please I need your help. Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Tommy
Tommy,

First, that was a split pot. Both of you had three’s full of kings.

Next to determine whether your worse than 6 to 1 to win, when you 6 to1, you are around 17% to win the hand. If you are on the flop, figure out the number of outs to win the hand. Multiply it by 4. This will give you your percentage to win the hand by the river. If it is greater or equal to 17, then you are better than 6 to 1. On the turn, calculate your outs by 2 to get the percentage. If you are equal or better than 17% to hit your hand, then you are better than 6 to 1.

Related articles:

1. Opponents Getting Mad
2. Two Different Hands
3. How Do You Find My Play?

Hi,

First, I want to congratulate you for having this site. Congrats and keep up the good work!

Well, I’m actually here to ask something. A certain guy said something about the 4/2 rule for assessing odds on hands to me before but unfortunately didn’t understand well what he meant. Do you have any idea about such rule?

Another thing, say you have KsTs, all called and you have one guy raised, how strong is the hand then, particularly when you have 5-8 players?

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Richard
Richard,

The 4-2 rule is used in determining what your percentage is to make your hand by the river. On the flop, you count your number of outs and multiply by 4. If you have 9 outs, you have a 36% chance to hit your hand by the river. If you are on the turn, you multiply your outs by 2. In the same scenario, you have an 18% chance to win.

Ks-Ts in a 5 handed pot is not very strong. It is likely behind. Without more information on the hand, I am unable to give specific percentages.

Related articles:

1. On 4/2 Rule
2. Turn or River Odds
3. 4/2 Rule

Hello,

Once in a certain material I encountered this line: “For figuring out odds for a draw that can hit on either the turn or the river (keyword either), you need to do something a little more complicated — you figure out what the odds are of not hitting it and the subtracting that number by 1. Since 5 cards give us our hand, there must be 42 that don’t. Then on the river if we haven’t hit there must be 41 cards that don’t make our hand. 42/47 * 41/46. This gives us 795, now subtract that from 1 to get the percentage of 20%. Flop to River % = 1 – [ ((47 - Outs) / 47) * ((46 - Outs) / 46) ]”. Can you please explain this to me a little more?

I’ll be looking forward for your response.

Many thanks,
Jason
Jason,

Make is simple on yourself. When you are at the flop, figure out the number of cards that you perceive as your outs and multiply that by 4. This will give you the percentage to hit your hand on the flop. At the turn, multiply your outs by 2. This will give your percentage to hit your hand.

Related articles:

1. When to Draw
2. Improving Pocket Cards Odds
3. 4/2 Rule and KsTs

Hello,

I’m here to ask something. Well, it’s about the decisions I made before which were actually based on pot odds, implied odds, and hand odds. I’ve read a lot of materials before and everything seemed to tell me that if you have the pot odds or the implied odds, you should call, even if you know you are behind, as if you hit you’ll be getting a good return on your investment. In case you don’t have the odds to call, against a drawing hand, you should fold. But then I ask myself, what if you have excellent pot odds, will this call for a raise?

Thanks for your time.

Best regards,
Andrew
Andrew,

While you may have excellent odds, they are still odds, they are not a sure thing. I would shy away from raising. While you may hit and win a bigger pot, if you miss, you will lose much more. You also set yourself up to let the person raise to a point where you don’t have odds.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds Problems
2. On Various Stack Sizes
3. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card

Hi,

For 18 months now, I’ve been playing holdem and been reading some helpful books. Good thing now is, I can already calculate pot odds after the flop, turn, and river. However, I still have no idea how to calculate odds before the flop. Any idea?

Say I was dealt KQs and then raised on the button and consequently was re-raised. Do you think in case I put my opponent on AA, I’d be a 2-1 or 3-1 dog? I haven’t found any chart on this.

Another thing, how much of a dog is 7-2 vs. AA 10-1 etc.? Your thoughts please.

Thank you in advance!

Regards,
Lloyd
Lloyd,

Pocket Aces are an 87% to 12% favorite over 7-2. That’s around a 7.25 to 1 underdog. The best thing would be to get a preflop odds calculator or draw up a chart of common hands. Many odds calculators can be found online.

Related articles:

1. Hands in Holdem
2. How to Calculate Poker Odds
3. With Losing Hands

Hi,

I play every week along with some friends. In one of our recent games, we had a debate, a misunderstanding. Well in our group, we do not burn cards to avoid dealing errors and of course to speed up the game. Everyone knows this. However, one guy just joined in and said that if you burn cards you decrease the odds of possibly hitting what you need, as there are less cards left in the deck. For an instance, if you have a pair KK and there are 4 players, then there are 44 cards left in the deck before the flop. In case a card is burnt, deck decreases to 43 before you flop.

I don’t actually agree with what the guy said. I know the number of unknown cards is still set at 44 and even if you burned 5 cards, the odds of you hitting would still be the same as random cards selected to the flop are still up. I believe burning cards changes the result but not the odds of hitting. Thoughts on this?

Hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,
Vinze
Vinze,

You are right. Burning cards do not change the odds of hitting your hand. Odds are calculated based on the number of unseen cards. Burned cards make no difference. They are still unseen cards. You don’t know what cards you are burning so taking them out the equation will skew the results.

Related articles:

1. Chances of Hitting
2. Cards Unseen and Odds
3. Reshuffle or Not

Hi,

I was in a certain event just last night. I’ve got 8,10 clubs and the flop was 9,J,4 rainbow therefore I flopped the open ender. Then I called $5 to see the turn but don’t hit. After a while, a particular player placed a bet with two others behind me. At such point, pot was $72. I then considered that because I only had 1 card to go, with 8 outs, I had roughly 16% chance of hitting the river and would probably cost me $10 for the $72 pot, 7:1 on my bet. I immediately folded.

I don’t know why but I thought afterwards that if $82 was in and it would cost me $10 to call the river, then that would be 8:1 on my money. If I have the same 16% chance to hit, it seems that it’s just right to call.

For some time now, I’ve been playing and it seems that I’m always drawing whenever I flopped an open ended straight or 4 to the flush, w/out calculating odds. I’m having problems with gutshot sometimes. Well, I understand that if you have a gutshot on the flop you have a 1/11 chance of hitting. But what if you are playing $3/6, how much should be in the pot for you to call $3 for the gutshot? I guess $33. And how about if have 8 outs, does this mean I have a 1/4 chance on the river? When playing in a low limit game, how strongly should implied odds be considered?

Do you think I’m just missing something? I think I should try to read more tips, situational problems, etc.

Thanks for your time.

Warm regards,
Johnny
Johnny,

In your first example, you actually had odds to call. You had a call equal to 13.8% of the pot and a 16% chance to hit your hand. You should have called.

When figuring out pot odds, if your call is a low percentage of the pot than your percentage to hit your hand, then you need to make the call.

As far as calling $3 for a gutshot draw. On the flop there should be at least $19 in the pot for you to call $3.

Implied odds should not be a concern in Limit Holdem. NL holdem is a better use for Implied odds.

Related articles:

1. Pot Odds and the Cost to See Fourth Street
2. With Implied Odds
3. On Odds

Hi there!

I saw one comment that appeared as:

x = his bet
x/(pot + x) = your % of winning
x/(100 + x) = your % of winning
x/(100 + x) = .48
x = 48 + .48x
.52x = 48
x = 92

With utmost respect, if I may just say, I think this one may be better:

2X/(pot+2X)=your%winning …

Your thoughts? By the way, I don’t mean to offend you. I’m just suggesting.

Thanks!

Best regards,
Frank
Frank,

I personally prefer the 4/2 method of calculating pot odds. It’s the simplest and quickest method to calculate odds. However, if this equation works for you, then by all means use it. Good luck to you.

Related articles:

1. Equations on Pot Odds
2. With Implied Odds
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hello,

I have some questions to ask. But if I may just say it, I’m not actually into poker. My name is Matthew and I’m just in my eighth grade. I actually have a project that has something to do with math and maybe with poker as well. I need to find questions that are math related.

Now, here are my questions:

1. In Texas Holdem, what’s the probability of getting pocket aces?
2. What are the dimensions of a poker card in regular size?
3. What’s the maximum number of players allowed in Texas Holdem?
4. What’s the probability percentage of getting a royal flush?

Thanks in advance. Your help will be much appreciated!

Again,
Matthew
Matthew

1. Odds of getting pocket aces is 220 to 1.
2. Dimension of most poker card are 3.5″ high and 2.5″wide.
3. Theoretically 22 players can play a single hand of holdem. Typical games are 9 or 10 handed.
4. The odds of making a royal flush is 1 in 649740 or around .0032%.

Related articles:

1. Hands in Holdem
2. Odds and Number of Players
3. How to Calculate Poker Odds

Hello,

I’m here to ask something about pot odds. Say you are playing in a full table, no limit cash game, with blinds of $0.50/$1.00. Then blinds post and three limpers appear. You check and you discover you have Ks Ts in the button. You call and SB folds while BB checks. Pot at such point is $5. Then flop brings As 2s 5c. BB bets $5 and one limper calls. Pot is now $15. To go on to the turn to get 3-1, it would cost you $5.

Now you have 2-1 to hit by the river, but 4-1 to hit by the turn. If you can ascertain if he wouldn’t bet on the turn then you can use the 2-1 method, but you can use 4-1 instead in case you don’t know such.

Well, for your theory of throwing the hand away because your opponent rates to bet the turn, I think you are missing something. For me, I’d still make the call as when you actually make your flush on the turn, you want your opponent to bet into you. In case I hit it on the turn, then more or less they will bet into me and I’ll probably win lots of money. In case I miss, I can get lost or when they grant me a free card, I can try again to make a flush or else bluff them till they are out. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
Joey
Joey,

Personally, on the flop, I am sticking with my odds to determine the call in most cases. In the scenario you presented, you have a 36% chance to hit your flush by the river. If my call is 36% or less of the pot, then I will call. In your scenario, the $5 call is only 33% of the pot. I am making the call here.

Related articles:

1. Raising on the Flop with a Flush Draw to Obtain a Free Card
2. Played With Weakness
3. Pot Odds Problems

Hi,

I remember that in one of your Q&A articles your last sentence was something about the possible two-card hands (starting hands in holdem), which for you equaled to 2,652. I’m sorry but I believe it should be 1,326, 2,652 should be divided by 2. Well I honestly can’t remember why it should be divided by 2 but I think it’s correct. Also, it can be supported by some facts or realities like the odds of getting pocket aces which is 220 to 1 and the 6 possible combination of pocket aces divided by 1,326 possible hands = 0.45249% or 220 to 1.

My intention for this is not to offend you but instead to just share what I think can be a great help. I’m still your fan.

Many thanks,
Janz
Janz,

I’m not sure which article you are referring but there are 1,326 possible card combinations in Holdem. (52 × 51)/2 = 1,326 would be the calculation.

Related articles:

1. Choosing 6 7 Over Pocket Aces
2. Rake in Holdem
3. Preflop Starting Hands Odds

Hello,

I don’t want to offend you with this but you listed before the odds of 2 over cards improving to a pair by the river at only 26% while you listed the odds of AK hitting an A or a K by the river at even. Why these two are not the same? Anything behind this?

Thank you very much in advance.

Warm regards,
Dave
Dave,

The reason these values are different is because that in the case of the over cards, there are more known cards. If you hold 10-J and someone has a pair of nines, you know two of the possible cards and actually eliminated 4 outs from the calculation. In this case you know 6 of 52 cards.

The calculation of A-K improving to a pair is based on no other cards being known. In this case you only know 2 of 52 cards.

Related articles:

1. More On Odds
2. Improving Pocket Cards Odds
3. Turn or River Odds

Hi,

Just the other day, I saw and have actually read the question about the Ultimate Bet’s Algorithm. I would like to make some points, I hope it’s okay.

First, most if not all of the poker sites use software from the Microgaming organization. Second, some poker sites have letters of approval from auditors who are internationally renowned. Third, I believe it’s quite easy and simple to fall into the trap of questioning card activity due to the amount of hands played. Fourth, turn at such instance was expected to be 1 of 5 cards listed as 6 (4 of), K (4 of), pair 1 of the flop cards J,8,3 (3 of, each) which then equaled to 17 cards and 1/2 odds or 67% probability. Therefore, the 81% sample doesn’t fit. Finally, the odds of the river are actually moving or acting the same as the turn, in case turn doesn’t hit, two will be the same.

I hope I make sense here.

Many thanks,
Mr. Hansen
Mr. Hansen,

With all the recent investigations involving Ultimate Bet, it probably would be inappropriate for me to comment on their site specifically. I would say that with most sites, that due to the high number of hands played, there will be some abnormal looking occurrences. My best suggestion to players would be to switch sites if you think something is fishy with the site you play at. Of course, there is also live poker.

Related articles:

1. Poker “Bots” and Legitimacy
2. Chances of Hitting
3. Trey Vs. Deuce

Hello,

I’m here to ask couple of questions. But before I lay them down let me first thank you for creating and maintaining a site like this one. It has been a great help to me and to many others. Keep up the good work!

Now, here are my two questions:

1. You once said that the odds of a pair pre-flop are 6% but the odds of AA or KK preflop are 9%. Why is this so? Is there any difference?
2. Why do you think poker is getting more and more popular? Do you think the Rounders movie has something to do with this? How about the power of television?

Thanks in advance!

All the best,
James
James,

1. The odds of being dealt a preflop pair are around 6%. The odds of being dealt Aces or Kings is no different than being dealt deuces.
   
2. The popularity of poker has been mainly due to ESPN’s World Series of Poker and Chris Moneymakers win in 2003. Rounders is a great movie, but only helped make Holdem popular in a small way. Thank Chris Moneymaker for the current poker boom.

Related articles:

1. Couple of Questions
2. Revealing Your Hand at Showdown
3. Pot Odds and the Cost to See Fourth Street

Hello,

Just 4 months ago, I started playing holdem at Poker Stars. First I was okay playing at play tables but later on was constantly being beaten. Well I know that playing on play money tables is unstable and erratic but still I want to try my luck. Luckily, I later discovered your site and after reading some of your writings, I improved a bit. Thanks to you!

As of the moment, I’m trying some real money sites. I’m more on no limit games in low games. I have already ventured into the $5/$10 games. I know it’s important to have perseverance at all times to eventually learn everything and so I’m trying to maintain it at all means.

I now live in Montreal Canada and unfortunately the casino here has no Holdem games at all therefore I just play online.

Now my question is, do the same probabilities apply in playing online through a computer program which deals the cards as playing live at a casino where there’s a manual dealing of the cards? At times I think so however I am not so sure. Your thoughts?

Thanks in advance.

Best regards,
Kit
Kit,

The same odds and probabilities apply online as they do live. The only difference is that live you get way fewer hands than you do online. You can always download software or use certain calculators online to help you figure out percentages if you are stumped.

Related articles:

1. Poker Pro
2. About Randomness
3. Playing With Loose Colleagues

Hello,

Say in late position I started the hand with Js and 10c. Afterwards, everybody called. I also called and then flop appeared, Ah Qh 9s. I now have an open ended straight draw. Two out of five players who called pre-flop remains at such point. One player raised the other called. Then I called after I considered my odds and the pot odds. Turn came, 4h. Then same player raised. At such point maybe the other two guys have an ace and so I might win in case I draw the straight on the river. But I noticed three hearts were on the board and if either one of them has pocket hearts I will lose. Based on your probabilities chart there was a 1:4 chance of being dealt suited cards although I’m assuming the odds of being dealt suited hearts are 1:16. And with two or three players the odds that at least one of them has pocket hearts may be better than 1:16. Odds then were 1:4. I figured out with my open ended straight draw I have eight outs with about 1:6 odds of hitting it.

How do you think I can factor my opponents 1:4 odds of having a flush and beating me and my 1:6 odds of hitting the straight combined with the pot odds to ascertain whether or not I should call or fold?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Denz
Denz,

At the turn, with 8 outs, you have a 16% chance to hit your hand. If you don’t think your opponent has a flush, if the amount to call is 16% or less of the total pot, then take a shot at your draw. Otherwise, it is time to fold.

Related articles:

1. Opponents Getting Mad
2. Pot Odds Problems
3. When to Draw

Hi,

I want to ask something. It’s about raising on the flop with a flush draw to obtain a free card. I’m wondering if you know what’s the logical and sound way to make this play in the event there’s action on the turn. Any thoughts?

Another thing, is the act of raising the flop to obtain a free card the best move when playing against 1 opponent with a made hand? And if a call and a bet appear, what do you think will happen?

Well, in limits things seem clear, but I’m clueless about the things to happen in case you miss on the turn. Is it worth calling a bet on the turn? But how about if they bet with a reasonable amount on the flop?

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Many thanks!

Warm regards,
Leo
Leo,

Raising to get a free card is best to do with one or two opponents only. If they call, they may check on the turn to you. If they don’t, this gives you a better idea of the hand they have. But another thing is that if they call the raise, they may be laying you better odds to draw on the turn to you flush.

On the turn, you have to go by pot odds to determine to draw or not. If you have the proper odds, then call the bet. If you don’t, then fold.

Related articles:

1. When to Draw
2. With Implied Odds
3. High Cards in Early Position

Hello,

I’ve been into poker for a year or two now. Well, I love playing online. In a reasonable span of time, I was able to familiarize myself about position and odds.

Just recently, I introduced some of my friends to poker and as of now we are planning to be into regular events. But there’s a problem. All of them seriously want to call stations and so I believe my online style won’t be effective.

For an instance in middle position I had ace queen and then for four times the BB I raised. Four callers appeared. Maybe I’ll think of tightening up and wait for premium hands however I know I have to consider first if my premium is strong enough to fight hard in case the field just can’t be narrowed to one opponent. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Regards,
Vinze
Vinze,

You can also try and play small ball poker where you see a lot of cheap flops with them and when you connect strong with the flop, punish them with extra bets.

Related articles:

1. Strategy on Isolating an Opponent
2. On Various Stack Sizes
3. Burning Cards and Odds of Hitting

Hello,

I have lots of questions to ask. But before I begin, I would like first to congratulate you and thank you for this site which has been so nice and helpful.

Now, my questions are:

1. At the table, any specific actions or mannerisms you keep record of?
2. While in a hand, any questions you ask yourself?
3. Say bottom pair BB check or bet instead?
4. In tourney, when should one go all in or not with short stack?
5. What’s the best or most efficient way to catch a bluff?
6. Say small pocket pair middle position with or without raise before to your seat, what will you do?
7. In the event you’re up as the chip leader, see many pots several pots?

Thanks again and keep up the good work!

Cheers,
Raymond
Raymond,

Related articles:

1. High Cards in Early Position
2. On Various Stack Sizes
3. Strategy on Isolating an Opponent