Perhaps one of the most confusing aspects of the game of Texas Hold'em is the prevalent use of odds and statistical probability. However, a few key memorizations can really make a difference in the profitability of your play. Whether you play online at VIPpoker.com or in a Vegas casino, learning basic odds will give you an edge over the competition.

The first rule of odds is that you have to be able to quickly calculate your outs. This is simple for pairing up or shooting for a three of a kind. It gets a little more difficult if you are on a straight or a flush draw. Incidentally, being on a draw generally means you have four of the five cards necessary for the completion of the hand.

Let's look at a open-ended straight draw example. An open-ended straight draw is a draw that could be completed on either end of the straight. For example, you might have six and seven as hole cards, and the flop comes out eight, nine, king. Your hand is now six, seven, eight, and nine. Either a five or a ten would give you a straight.

So, now you know that there are four fives and four tens in the deck that could complete your hand. You thus have eight possible outs. There are 47 cards left that you have not seen, so your chances of getting either a five or a ten are approximately eight divided by 47, or 17 percent. You can learn more about poker odds when you sign up at VIPpoker.com.