Oops!

One of the nice things about mathematics is that when you're right about something there is no question about it; you can supply a proof of your assertion.  The flip side of that coin, however, is the fact that when you're wrong you're wrong and there is nothing you can do about it but own up to your error.  Well, there was a mistake in my July 6, 2003 article entitled Four Card Poker Paradox.  Somehow, I don't know how it happened, two of the numbers in Figure 3 got switched, leading me to the conclusion that when Straights outrank Flushes that the Flush frequency is smaller than the Straight frequency.  Not true!  The numbers were calculated correctly but were switched in a printout.  The correct conclusion is that when choosing four card Poker hands from five card hands that Straights should outrank Flushes since their frequency of occurrence is smaller.  The corrected table follows.

Sorry for the misinformation but at least the record has been set straight.  See you in a couple of weeks (hopefully with accurate information).