What are the Odds? - The Mathematics of Poker

What are the Odds? - The Mathematics of Poker

May 20, 2026 · 42 min · Episode 67

About this episode

Pete and Noah explore the mathematics of poker, focusing on the odds of different hands.

A friend's story leads Pete and Noah to dive into the high-stakes world of poker to settle a debate: does a flush really beat a straight? Using the tools of combinatorics and probability, our hosts break down the math behind five-card hands and explore how the hierarchy of the game is built upon the frequency of outcomes. Ante up... the next hand is about to begin! Leave us a voice message Find us on Twitter Send us an email Questions Answered in the Episode How do you calculate the total number of possible five-card poker hands from a 52-card deck? What are the mathematical odds of being dealt a flush versus a straight in poker?

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