Poker odds

[c00ky83]

Bought a poker book today (hold 'em) and can't fathom the odds it gives for pocket cards. It says AA is 220/1 - correct, 4/52 * 3/51 = 1/221. But then it says KK is 110/1, QQ/JJ both 72/1 and all other pairs 46/1. WHAT?! As a poker player and a mathematician I find that ridiculous - any pair surely has the same chance?

[vehelpfulguy]

But if other players hold on to Aces and Kings, even single ones (which they are more likely to do) then that reduces the odds of you getting one to make a pair.

Same true of Queens & Jacks, but to a lesser extent, which makes there odds lower.

[c00ky83]

Yes but the denomination of the card makes no difference - you have 4/52 of any given denomination for your first card, then 3/51 that the second one forms a pair!

[Hammer]

I suspect the odds are those of being dealt the specified pair or better.

ie, odds of getting AA = 220/1

odds of getting KK (or AA) = 110/1

etc,etc

[Hammer]

No, that doesn't work either.

Odds of a specified pair is 220/1 as you say. Odds of any pair is 3/51 = 17/1.

Hmm, don't know what they are on about.

[c00ky83]

It would make sense to an extent Hammer, but like you say not if 2 to 9 all had a 46/1 chance. Probably should ask poker site for this one!