Gambling terms, explained straight

Poker

Poker hand odds chart

A poker hand odds chart is a reference table that shows how likely each hand ranking is, based on all possible five-card combinations from a standard deck.

Sample space
2,598,960 possible five-card hands from a 52-card deck1
Royal flush odds
1 in 649,740 (odds against 649,739:1)1

Key points

  • Probability is calculated as frequency divided by total possible hands; odds against are non-matching hands divided by matching hands.1
  • Figures depend on the poker variant and deck assumptions used, such as wild cards or multiple decks.23
  • Distinct from a starting hand odds chart, which covers preflop hole-card combinations in Texas hold 'em.4

Where this term is used

Poker Poker odds chart A broader table covering win chances, outs, pot odds, or equity in specific situations. Poker Poker hands probability The mathematical calculation of how likely each hand ranking is to occur. Poker Poker starting hands chart A table of preflop hole-card combinations and their relative strength in Texas hold 'em. Poker Poker hands chart preflop A chart showing the ranking of starting hands before the flop in hold 'em. Poker Poker odds chart preflop A table of win probabilities for each starting hand against random opponents. Poker Poker hand rankings The hierarchy of hand values from high card to royal flush used to determine winners.

Sources

  1. Poker probability - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Provides the sample space and royal flush probability figures used in the facts and key points.
  2. Rules of Card Games: Poker Hand Probabilities pagat.com Confirms the chart enumerates hand categories with frequency, probability, or odds.
  3. Ranking of Poker Hands pagat.com Supports that the ranking table is based on probabilities from a 52-card deck with no wild cards.
  4. Texas hold 'em starting hands - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org Distinguishes a starting hand odds chart from a hand odds chart.

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.

Written and maintained by Ellis Warrender, writer and maintainer.

Last updated 28 July 2026. Spotted an error? Tell me and it gets fixed and logged on the corrections page.