Probability and Poker

To be a truly good poker player a fair knowledge of the laws of probability are essential. You should at least know the chances of making up a particular hand. If you are seated at a poker table and have drawn a flush, it would be very helpful to know what the chances are that one of your opponents has put together a superior hand.

No doubt this sounds complicated, and some of the mathematics involved will be beyond the average poker player's immediate ability, having no calculator handy and being pressured by his or her fellow players to either "put up or shut up". This site is designed to help familiarize the beginning player with the various hands and to give some brief notes on the best poker strategy considering the probabilities involved.

We will address each type of possible hand in sequence. You can click on one of the pages in the contents below to reach a page that particularly interests you. You can use the links at the top of the page, or you can navigate the entire site by clicking the "next page" links at the bottom of each page.

A few comments about coming up with odds.

Specific Hands:
- Royal Flush
- Straight Flush
- Four of a Kind
- Full House
- Flush
- Straight
- Three of a Kind
- Two Pairs
- One Pair
- High Card