Texas Hold'em Poker Guide

One of the number one ways to increase your chances of winning in a game of poker is to learn about poker odds.  With a basic understanding of poker odds you can make an informed decision about whether or not a hand is good enough to stay in the game.

Poker odds can tell you the chance, in percent, that you will win a game of poker based on the hand you are dealt.  If you are dealt a hand with great odds then you should definitely stay in the game and may even consider raising.  On the other hand, if you are dealt a very weak hand then it isn’t worth your while to stay in and keep betting money.  You may decide to fold a weak hand within the first round of the hand.

Poker odds vary from variation to variation.  For instance, the format of Texas Holdem is very different from the format of Five Card Draw, so understanding the odds for one of these games may not help you in other variations.  However, it isn’t difficult to find odds tables for any variation of poker that you play.  Poker odds charts and tables can easily be found on the Internet as well as in books about poker strategy.

In the game of Texas Holdem the best opening hands include double Aces and double face cards and Aces paired with face cards of the same suit.  There is no reason to fold at the beginning of a hand if you are dealt any of these options.  However, it is important to note that your odds change as the community cards are dealt.  For instance, if you have a pair of Aces in the hole your odds are amazing at the beginning of the hand.  However, if four sequential cards of the same suit show up in the community cards then the odds of another player having a straight flush is very high and suddenly your pair of Aces doesn’t look so good.

So start studying up on poker odds and you’ll be prepared to make the best plays in every hand and increase your winnings!