Royal flush in online poker

What is a royal flush?

The royal flush combination is almost a symbol of poker. Many posters and covers related to casino games show this element. Many poker rooms reward their customers for getting the King suit. In this case, the player not only takes the pot but also becomes the winner of a special cash prize from the tournament organisers. The word ‘Broadway’ is often seen in cinematography. For example, in one of the most famous films about James Bond – Casino Royale.

A royal flush is a combination of five cards of the same suit, from a ten to an ace. This hand, among all that is possible, is considered to be the strongest. The other name which Royal flush has in poker is ‘Royal suit’ or ‘Broadway’. This combination has four varieties, which differ only in colour.

A royal flush is a special case, combining the highest position of the straight flush. Simply put, Royal Flush is the highest and most valuable variety of Straight Flush. Basically, a royal flush is a kind of symbiosis of a straight and a flush. However, it can only consist of suited cards from ten to ace. 

Royal flush: how to get it and what are the chances

In online poker, Royal flush can be collected in several ways during the wagering hands process:

• With community cards. This variant of forming a combination is very rare. In this case, a set of cards is laid out directly on the board. Therefore, the combination belongs to other participants in the distribution as well. The pot is divided into equal parts among all the poker players who remained in the game until the showdown.
• With one pocket card. This option involves the use of additional four pieces from the game table. In this situation, the bets can be increased to raise the pot, but it is important to be careful, so the opponents do not suspect that the player may have a strong hand, for example, not just a royal but also a regular flush or a lower straight flush.
• With two cards. This is the most profitable combination for a poker player because only three figures are taken from the board. Competitors will probably respond to high raises from the player if they will think he is bluffing or is going to draw. In the end, you can win a big pot.

A royal flush can also be common, but it is important to clarify that such a combination occurs only when playing Texas Hold ’em poker. According to the rules of this discipline, it is allowed to create poker combinations using all the cards from the game table.

Many poker players, especially beginners, are curious about the chance of getting a royal flush. Some guess that the probability of collecting such a combination is quite low. Even more experienced poker players do not always manage to collect the Royal suit for the whole duration of their career.

The odds of different combinations in various poker disciplines:

Texas Hold ’em

• After the distribution of the first two cards, the chances of collecting a royal flush do not exceed 0.0008%.
• On the flop in online poker, the player needs just one component of the deck to make a set. In this situation, the probability increases to 2% on the turn and up to 4% on the final round of betting.
• If the player needs just one card for the combination, the chance of acquiring it on the river is 2%.

Omaha

• Two pocket cards are enough to form a combination, and there is a 0.001% possibility of collecting a ready-made combination on the flop. If the starting hand combination consists of four cards, which gives the possibility of forming a royal flush (for example, Q-K hearts and clubs), the chance of getting the board on the flop and creating a ready hand is 0.002%.
• If on the second street, the player needs one piece to complete a full-fledged combination, the probability of getting it on the turn would be 2%, and on the river, 4.5%.
• On the turn draw, there is a 2% chance of getting the missing piece on the last street.

A royal flush is easier to collect in Omaha poker due to the fact that there will be fewer unknown cards in the deck by two units.

Draw poker

• During the exchange of five cards, the chances of collecting a finished combination are 0.0015%.
• Leaving two units of the same suit and exchanging the rest, the player gets a 0.0008% chance of making a full hand in poker.
• In the presence of three cards of the same suit and the exchange of the other two, the probability of completing the layout is 0.05%.
• Leaving four units of the same suit and exchanging one, the player gets a 2% chance to complete the combination.

Therefore, the probability of collecting this combination does not depend just on the type of poker discipline but also on the stage of the game. In any case, the probability of getting this combination is extremely small. This is why many poker players usually attempt to make a less powerful hand because it also gives a chance to win the game.

Best strategies to play a royal flush: strategies

If the player has discovered that they have the most powerful hand possible among the cards, they should not be confused by the unexpected turn of events and not make any irreparable mistakes. The faster the player discovers the winning combination, the more chances they have to provoke other participants.

The main poker strategy is to prevent opponents from guessing that the player has such a strong hand and remain confident in their cards. A bet that is too low will also make opponents suspicious. In addition, you risk getting called on small bets. Another important point – make the maximum pot increase. You should be careful in your actions to exclude the possibility of passes from competitors.

Having the strongest combination is considered a guaranteed victory, but you need to use it correctly, adhering to the following rules:

• do not let other participants realise that the card you have is strong;
• maximise the size of the bank;
• do not play aggressively, or you will frighten off opponents;
• try to minimise passes from opponents.

The main goal of the player who has a royal flush in their hands is to bring the gameplay to the showdown in order to demonstrate to the opponents all the possibilities at the final stage of the hand. Having received a royal flush, you can be sure the victory is yours. But it is important to remain cool and calm. This is the only way to guarantee that other poker players won’t get suspicious and just hope that they are ready for the maximum bet raises.