How to play poker? Poker hands can improve. Learn the odds here

At the Sunday School, we know how to play poker. Poker regulars have a seemingly instinctive grasp on the odds of a hand hitting. 

How did they get this feel for the game? Simple. They studied it, committed odds to memory and played. A lot.

If you want to know how to play poker, poker professional wannabees, you're going to have to put in the graft.

Below is a list of the odds of your Holdem hand improving by the river, depending on what you hold before the flop, on the flop and on the turn.

Try not to get too bound up with the numbers

Remember that these numbers are very basic. They are supposed to be a general reflection of the situation you find yourself in. We could quote very accurate percentages or odds, but there's enough going on in your head as it is most of the time.

Note that these odds bear no reflection on what your opponent holds. They are a simple explanation of YOUR HAND'S CHANCES to improve.

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Your odds of improving BEFORE the flop.

AK to hit at least one pair
50% or even money chance of hitting.

Two flush cards to flop a four flush
10% or 9-1 chance of hitting.

Two flush cards to flop a made flush
1% or 99-1 chance of hitting.

Two flush cards to make a flush by the river
7% or 15-1 chance of hitting.

Your odds of improving AFTER the flop.

FOUR FLUSH: You hold suited cards; the flop has two cards of your suit.
35% or 2-1 chance of hitting.

OPEN STRAIGHT: You hold two straight cards; the flop gives you an open-ended draw (example: QT on flop of J92)
30% or 7-3 chance of hitting.

MIDDLE PIN STRAIGHT: You hold two cards giving you a middle pin straight (example: 9T on flop of K67)
17% or 5-1 chance of hitting.

OVERCARDS: You hold two higher cards than the flop (example: KQ on flop of 972)
25% or 3-1 chance of hitting at least a pair.

OVERCARDS AND MIDDLE PIN STRAIGHT: You hold two higher cards than the flop AND have a middle pin straight draw (example: AK on JT5)
40% or 6-4 chance of hitting.

SET TO IMPROVE TO FULL HOUSE: You hold three of a kind, two in your hand (example 66 on flop of T64)
30% or 7-3 chance of hitting full house or quads.

Your odds of improving AFTER the turn.

FOUR FLUSH: You hold two suited cards; by the turn, there are two cards of your suit.
20% or 4-1 chance of hitting.

OPEN STRAIGHT: You hold two straight cards; the turn gives you an open-ended draw (example: QT on turn of J269)
15% or 6.5-1 chance of hitting.

MIDDLE PIN STRAIGHT: You hold two cards giving you a middle pin straight by the turn (example: 9T on turn of 3476)
10% or 9-1 chance of hitting the straight.

OVERCARDS: You hold two higher cards than the turn (example: KQ on flop of 9723)
15% or 6.5-1 chance of hitting at least a pair.

OVERCARDS AND MIDDLE PIN STRAIGHT: You hold two higher cards than the turn AND have a middle pin straight draw (example: AK on J35T)
20% or 4-1 chance of hitting.

SET TO IMPROVE TO FULL HOUSE: You hold three of a kind, two in your hand (example 66 on flop of T64)
15% or 6.5-1 chance of hitting full house or quads.

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