Odds, Probability & Bankroll
Royal flush odds
Royal flush odds are the probability of being dealt an ace-high straight flush (10, J, Q, K, A of the same suit). In 5-card poker, the chance is 1 in 649,740.
Key points
- A royal flush is the rarest hand in standard poker, with exactly 4 possible combinations in a 52-card deck.1
- In community-card games like Texas hold'em, the probability increases because the hand is assembled from seven available cards rather than five.3
- Video poker games that use a 52-card deck have a dealt natural royal flush probability of 1 in 649,740, but draw decisions can improve the chance of completing one.5
- In Three Card Poker, a royal flush pays 1000 to 1, reflecting its rarity in a three-card format.4
Royal flush odds by game
| Game variant | Probability | Odds against |
|---|---|---|
| 5-card poker | 1 in 649,740 | 649,739 to 1 |
| Texas hold'em (7 cards) | 1 in 43,316 | 43,315 to 1 |
| Three Card Poker | 0.000009 | approx. 111,111 to 1 |
Where this term is used
Not the same as
- Straight flush probability — a straight flush is any five consecutive suited cards; a royal flush is a specific straight flush (ace-high). The odds for a straight flush are far shorter.
Related terms
Odds & probability
Fractional odds
Explains how fractional odds express the ratio of profit to stake.
Odds & probability
Risk vs odds
Clarifies the difference between probability and betting odds.
Odds & probability
Fractional odds to decimal
Shows how to convert fractional odds into decimal format.
Odds & probability
Odds vs probability
Distinguishes between the likelihood of an event and the ratio of outcomes.
Odds & probability
American odds
Describes the moneyline format used in US sports betting.
Odds & probability
Straight flush probability
Covers the odds of any five-card straight flush, including but not limited to royal flushes.
Sources
- Poker - FAQ - Wizard of Odds wizardofodds.com Provides the exact probability and number of royal flush combinations in 5-card poker.
- Poker probability en.wikipedia.org Confirms the odds against a royal flush in 5-card poker.
- Texas Hold'em - Probability - General wizardofodds.com Gives the probability of a royal flush in Texas hold'em using seven cards.
- Three Card Poker - Games wizardofodds.com Lists the probability and payout for a royal flush in Three Card Poker.
- Video Poker - Probability wizardofodds.com States the dealt natural royal flush probability in video poker.
Sources are drawn from regulators, universities and published research, and each one is labelled with what it actually is — a preprint is not called a paper. Bookmaker and affiliate pages are never cited here, because a page that sells betting is not a neutral authority on it.