Four-of-a-kind, pair, three-of-a-kind… These phrases might sound strange to you if you’re unfamiliar with poker. It’s important that you understand the different five-card hands available and the odds and probability of hitting that five-card hand.
Below we’ll explain four-of-a-kind odds and probability.
FOUR-OF-A-KIND — AN IMPORTANT HAND IN POKER HIERARCHY
It’s important to study the odds for any five-card poker hand, especially in Texas Hold’em. The more you study these odds, the easier it will be to understand how to place bets.
You can’t have cards of the same suit with a four-of-a-kind because there’s only one card in each suit. Playing quads comes with varying odds, like if you flop quads or if you hit quads at the turn or the river.
Always take a good look at your hole cards and community cards, and watch the board to know for sure.
WHAT DOES THE FOUR-OF-A-KIND CONSIST OF?
So, what makes four-of-a-kind so different from three-of-a-kind, a full house, straight flush, pair, or other poker hands? First, you need to understand how the probability and odds line up.
The four-of-a-kind poker hand beats three-of-a-kind, full house, two pair, a pair, and every card except for the straight flush and royal flush.
Hitting quads means hitting the third-best hand that you can achieve in a poker game, making it a high-value, winning hand more often than not.
Playing quads involves earning four cards of the same rank but not of the same suit. For example, earning four aces (quad aces) of different suits. Hitting quads is one of the rarest occurrences. If you manage to hit quads, it means that you have one of each of the only cards in the deck.
It’s not an unbeatable hand, but it’s close to it. You’d be fortunate to come across this five-card hand anytime you’re playing poker because the odds are so high. Pay attention to the hole cards that you get, especially with a pocket pair.
The implied odds of a four-of-a-kind work in your favour if you are dealt two cards of equal rank.
Hitting quads (four cards of the same rank) is impressive whether you’re playing with five cards or seven cards.
IS A ROYAL FLUSH BETTER THAN A FOUR-OF-A-KIND?
Yes. The royal flush is the best hand you can earn, and therefore, the most unbeatable hand. The odds, probability and implied odds of this hand are incredibly low compared to the four-of-a-kind.
Still, even though it is better, you still have excellent implied odds of winning if you draw a four-of-a-kind.
FOUR-OF-A-KIND VS. A ROYAL FLUSH AND STRAIGHT FLUSH
Knowing how the odds of a four-of-a-kind compare to those of a royal and straight flush is quite important. The royal flush is the best hand you can earn, and therefore, the most unbeatable hand. The odds, probability and implied odds of this hand are incredibly low compared to the four-of-a-kind.
A four-of-a-kind is a losing hand to a straight flush as it has greater odds. So proceed cautiously if you think this hand may appear. Still, even though it is better, you still have excellent implied odds of winning if you draw a four-of-a-kind.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS OF HITTING FOUR-OF-A-KINDS IN POKER?
Understanding the odds of getting quads with your starting hand is important. You’re just one player, but the odds are still astronomical across the board.
If you laid out the total number of times that you’d ever be dealt a four-of-a-kind, they wouldn’t be that many. Getting dealt the two cards you need is one of the rarest starting hands.
It’s also rare that the dealer would put down the cards that you need at the flop, turn, or river for the four-of-a-kind to happen.
Get to know the odds, read the board, and play your hand accordingly.
ODDS OF MAKING A FOUR-OF-A-KIND ON THE FLOP AND IMPLIED ODDS
The flop is the first betting phase in the game when you’re playing Texas Hold’Em.
Flopping quads with a pocket pair is easier than hitting quads on the turn or river, as the odds sit at 0.24% with a pocket pair versus 0.03% with other hole cards.
An example of getting quads on the flop is if you’re dealt two threes of spades and hearts, and then the dealer puts down two more threes of clubs and diamonds. When you hit this hand, read the board and place bets that work in your favour.
The implied odds of four-of-a-kind in poker refers to the likelihood of earning quads. But the odds of quads depend on the board structure. Any poker player with an ace in the hole will win.
Use a good strategy to chart what course of action works best for your hand.
WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY OF GETTING A FOUR-OF-A-KIND IN POKER ONLINE AND TEXAS HOLD’EM?
You should also study the probability when it comes to getting four-of-a-kind in an online poker game. In online poker and Texas hold’em, the probability is 0.0256%.
HOW MANY POSSIBLE COMBINATIONS OF FOUR-OF-A-KIND ARE THERE IN A DECK OF 52 CARDS?
Every deck of cards comes with 52 playable cards, with a certain number of possible combinations for each hand.
There are 624 four-of-a-kind combinations possible. This applies across the board to any form of poker.
FOUR-OF-A-KIND IMPLIED ODDS
The implied odds of four-of-a-kind in poker refers to the likelihood of earning quads. But the odds of quads depend on the board structure. Any poker player with an ace in the hole will win.
Use a good strategy to chart what course of action works best for your hand.
RELIABLE GAME TRICKS USING A FOUR-OF-A-KIND
So, what should you do when you get four-of-a-kind? Here are some examples of potential ways to play it:
- Bet small at the flop to draw people in.
- Bet a little bit bigger at the turn so players suspect you have a decent hand, but avoid betting too strong.
- At the river, consider going all-in.
- Study other player’s habits and consistencies going in.
- Eye the board to know what you’re facing.
Having these tricks in your back pocket can help you maximize your winnings.
TEXAS HOLD ‘EM FOUR-OF-A-KIND HIT PROBABILITY
Like other forms of poker, the probability of four-of-a-kind in Texas Hold’Em is 0.0256%.
CONCLUSION — FOUR-OF-A-KIND IS ALSO MATHEMATICS
Whether you’re new to poker or not, mathematics will always play a role. It’s all math when you weigh out the odds and probabilities, so play your quads hand accordingly.
FAQ
✅ IS IT POSSIBLE TO PLAY ONLINE POKER ONLY USING FOUR-OF-A-KIND?
When you sit down at a table, it’s important to know what you’re up against. You’re highly unlikely to only get quads, so you need to get to know ranks for other hands.
✅ WHAT IF TWO PLAYERS HAVE FOUR-OF-A-KIND?
If two players have quads, then the tie is determined by the high card. This is called the kicker.
✅ DOES COLOUR IN FOUR-OF-A-KIND MATTER?
No, the suit doesn’t matter with quads.
✅ HOW TO EXCLUDE STRAIGHT FLUSHES?
Poker players might exclude straight flushes if they have a higher hand, such as a royal flush. But, there’s no point in doing so since the straight flush is already very high in rank.