Poker is all about statistics and math. You might know the theory behind the game and a little bit of strategic bluffing, but you won’t go anywhere if you can’t determine the odds for the hands that you will be holding.
Now this article won’t provide you the exact odds or statistics of poker hands. There are a lot of resources on the internet for that purpose which are readily available with just a Google search. And if you’re a newbie, chances are you’ll just be confused by the terms and numbers that these charts will be giving to you. This article should guide into demystifying odds charts so that you’ll be able to use and memorize them to your advantage.
What are “Outs?”
In a discussion about poker statistics, you’re bound to encounter the term “outs.” Outs are simply the (currently unseen) cards that will give you the best possible hand. For example: You have a Jack of spades and a 10 of spades; the cards on the flop are the King and Queen of hearts, and a six of clubs; to make a straight you’ll need either a nine or an ace. Since there are a total of four aces and four nines in a standard deck, you have eight outs. Determining outs is a very important skill in poker strategy.
Common Probabilities You Should Know
The rule of 2 and 4. This is a great method to quickly determine your odds after the flop. Multiply your outs by 4 when the flop has been revealed to determine your chance of getting a desired card at the turn or river. After getting the turn, your outs should be multiplied by 2 to get your odds of getting an out at the river. This means that if you have eight outs, you have 32% (4×8) chance of hitting a desired card after a flop, and only 16% (2×8) after a turn. Other important statistics you should know include odds for common hand situations such as open-ended straight draw, four to a flush, inside straight, and others.