Texas Hold ‘Em poker players learn how to calculate their outs and pot odds to figure out the probability of hitting a poker online hand when on a draw and whether it is profitable to bet on it. For instance, in pre-flop situations, pocket pairs complete to a set one in eight times.

There is another way of looking at pre-flop probabilities too - and that is from the perspective of your opponents. Most often the flop will miss most players. The fewer number of players who remain to see the flop, the less likely it will connect with any of them. The more poker players who see a flop make it more probably one of those of players will make a hand.

The chart below reveals the probabilities of flop hitting a player based on number of players. # of Opponents Probability of no flop connection 1 0.65 2 0.41 3 0.26 4 0.16 5 0.09 6 0.05 7 0.03 8 0.01 9 0.01 The more players you are up against, the harder it is to win. That is why it is always smart to put out a substantial raise - usually 3x the big blind - when you are holding powerful pockets or a pair pre-flop.

The same concept applies to a flop that is paired. The fewer players who remain for the flop, the less likely any on them have connected with the pair on board. The numbers break down: Number of Opponents Probability of no match to the board 1 0.80 2 0.63 3 0.49 4 0.38 5 0.28 6 0.21 7 0.15 8 0.11 9 0.08 When there are only limpers pre-flop, and you are in late position, keep these probabilities in mind. If there are only two or three opponents ahead of you at the table, a probe raise bet may win the pot outright, or give you information about an opponent’s hand.