What are the odds?

The moments before the river (the last flop card) is turned over can be tense as hell. And while there’s an air of the unexpected going around the table, good players know the odds of the hand they are trying to pull. Want to join the ranks of the mathematically proficient? Check out the list of odds below, and you’ll be able to make better decisions about whether you want to stick a hand out to the end.
Odds of pulling common hands on the river
• Odds of pulling a straight on an open-ended draw = 4.8 to 1
o Example: You’re holding a 5–6 and the cards on the table are A-7-8-J. These are the odds that you will pull a 4 or a 9.

• Odds of pulling an inside straight = 10.5 to 1
o Example: In this situation, you are holding a 7-8 and the cards on the table are 6-10-2-K. Therefore, the only card that will get you your straight is a 9.

• Odds of pulling a flush when you are four to the flush = 4.1 to 1
o Example: Simple one here. You’ve got two hearts in your hand and there are two more hearts on the table. These are the odds that your prayers will be answered and another heart will turn up on the river.

• Odds of pulling two pair or trips when you’ve got a pair in the hole = 8.2 to 1.
o Example: In this scenario you need two pair or trips to win. You’re holding J-J and the board shows K-A-2-8. These are the odds that you will pull a J, K, A, 2 or 8.

• Odds of pulling trips when you’ve got a pair in the hole = 22 to 1.
o Example: This is a tough pull. In this scenario you need trips to win. You’re holding J-J and the board shows K-A-2-8. These are the odds that you will pull that magical Jack and win the day!

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Winning Tips for Video Poker

Every now and again, we all need to try something different. And after hours, perhaps days in the poker room at a major casino, that something different just might be video poker. I know, it’s not real poker, but if you’ve got a couple of $20 dollar bills burning a hole in your pocket, there are worse ways to spend a couple of hours.

Here are some tips to keep you from getting fleeced by the five-button bandit.

Winning tips for video poker

· Take your time. There’s no time limit on a video poker machine, so take the time to study your hand closely. Make sure you’re drawing the cards you want to draw, and the holding the ones you want to keep!

· Always bet the maximum. The only way to get a great return when you hit a top hand is to put in all five coins at the start. This is not the time to penny pinch. Your money may go a little faster, but you’ll kick yourself if you hit that Royal Flush with only two quarters in play.

· The Jack is more important that the Ace. One of the most important, yet overlooked truisms of video poker is that you can make more good hands by holding on to the Jack than you can with the Ace.

· Practice makes perfect. A $10 handheld video poker game lets you perfect your skills with no risk factor. Pick one up at your local drugstore, and then whip that bad boy out on the plane trip to Vegas. It should help your game immeasurably!

· Get yourself a comp card. Most casinos will give you perks according to the number of hands you play at the video poker machine. Sure, it looks a little dorky, but if you’re going to plant your butt at the machine for several hours, shouldn’t be rewarded for it?

· Go for the Royal Flush. If you’re making a decision between drawing four random cards or drawing three to get the big-mama Royal Flush, always go for big hand. You’re not there to break even right?

· Never draw five cards if you have a Jack or higher in your hand. You always want to do everything possible to turn a bad hand into at least a break-even proposition.

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Blackjack: More Tips

People often forget that the game of Blackjack is just as much about what the dealer has as it is about your own hand. Keep these few concepts in mind at the blackjack casino table:

- Remember, ten is statistically the value that has the highest probability of being drawn or dealt. That's because there is 4 cards that have values of ten (10-King). So, it always makes sense to think as though the dealer's other card is a ten.

- When the dealer shows a low card (2-6) feel free to play more conservatively. If he's showing a six, he probably is making a 16, a hand that is very difficult to Hit on without going over 21. So, if you make a 16, don't bother hitting on it.

- When a dealer shows a ten value card, play more aggressively. Likely, his other card is above a 17, so you might want to make a risky play.