Poker Hand Rankings and Odds

Poker hand rankings and odds have been discussed at length in many forums. There are a lot of conflicting opinions regarding the best way to approach the rankings.

poker hand rankings and odds

The first thing to look at when discussing hand rankings and odds is the type of hand being considered. Is it a bluff, a hand that will raise or fold?

For example, if a particular player has a four pair against you, how likely is it that he will call the blind river with two pairs? There are hundreds of ways to approach any given situation. Let’s take the examples we’ve already discussed and try to match them up with poker hand rankings and odds.

A pair of one is an obviously much stronger hand than a straight or flush. If you have one pair, your odds of winning the hand are much better than with two pairs. The odds of raising are lower when you have a pair. The table holds a lot of power when you’re dealing with a pair, but the odds are still in your favor.

If you don’t have a pair, you’re probably looking for a hand that will force the flop. Straight or flush raises, straight bets, and even strong double bets are all likely to force the flop. If you have one pair, your odds are better than with two pairs.

The next thing to consider is the expected value of the hand. The higher the raise, the more valuable the hand becomes. On the other hand, there are situations where a flush or two flushes are not worth the trouble.

Of course, high raises will usually force the flop, so you might want to fold those hands. I would avoidfolding in any situation where you only have a pair or better.

The purpose of hand rankings and odds is to make the pot size bigger. These hand rankings are based on past results and on our statistical analysis of the situation. It’s important to remember that hand rankings and odds are about playing the odds.