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What Are the Poker Hands With the Lowest Probability?

A quick peek at the lower probability poker hands in Texas Hold’em and how their probability changes with the number of players and the cards in play.

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One of the most important aspects of poker is understanding the different hands and their probability of winning. In this shorter piece, we will be discussing the five poker hands that have the lower probability of winning in Texas Hold’em, which is perhaps the most popular variation of poker, and how their probability changes based on the number of players and the specific cards in play.

The high card

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Starting with the highest probability hand, high card is the hand that does not contain any pairs, straights, or flushes. It is simply the highest card in the hand. The probability of this hand winning in a full table of 9 players is around 50%. However, when the number of players is reduced to 5 players and only the first betting round, this probability drops to around 30%.

One pair

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The next hand on the list is one pair, which is a hand that contains two cards of the same rank. The probability of this hand winning in a full table of 9 players is around 42%. However, when the number of players is reduced to 5 players and only the first betting round, this probability drops to around 25%.

Two pairs

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Third on the list is two pair, which is a hand that contains two cards of one rank and two cards of another rank. The probability of this hand winning in a full table of 9 players is around 28%. However, when the number of players is reduced to 5 players and only the first betting round, this probability drops to around 20%.

Three-of-a-kind

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Fourth on the list is three of a kind, which is a hand that contains three cards of the same rank. The probability of this hand winning in a full table of 9 players is around 7%. However, when the number of players is reduced to 5 players and only the first betting round, this probability drops to around 10%.

Straight

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Finally, Straight, which is a hand that contains five cards of sequential rank, regardless of suit. The probability of this hand winning in a full table of 9 players is around 4%. However, when the number of players is reduced to 5 players and only the first betting round, this probability drops to around 5%.

Note that these are rough estimates and can vary depending on the specific situation. Additionally, it’s also important to consider the position, the strategy, and the player’s behavior, as these factors can have a significant impact on the outcome of the game.

How is this info helpful? Well, understanding the different hands and their probability of winning is important for the serious poker player – knowing the statistics can help players make better decisions. While the five hands mentioned here have lower probabilities of winning, they are still important to be aware of and can still be used to give yourself an edge. Additionally, it’s important to remember that probability can change depending on the number of players and the specific cards in play.

Rob Hughes

Rob Hughes

Rob is casino and poker fanatic, but works as an accountant at a small firm in the mid-west. Having spent a little too much time (according to himself) learning to count cards and ridding Vegas tourists of their money at the Holde'm tables in Vegas, he now writes about gambling and the noteworthy industry trends.