To calculate the probability of being dealt a pair, we can use the concept of combinations and probabilities. First, let's determine the total number of possible outcomes when drawing two cards from a deck of 52 playing cards.

Total outcomes = C(52, 2)
                       = 52! / (2!(52-2)!)
                       = 1,326

Now, let's determine the number of favorable outcomes, which is the number of ways to get a pair. There are 13 ranks in a standard deck of playing cards (Aces, Kings, Queens, etc.), and each rank has 4 cards (one for each suit). So, there are 4 ways to form a pair for each rank.

Favorable outcomes = 13 * C(4, 2)
                             = 13 * (4! / (2!(4-2)!))
                             = 13 * 6
                             = 78

Now we can calculate the probability of being dealt a pair:

Probability = Favorable outcomes / Total outcomes
                   = 78 / 1,326
                   ≈ 0.0588

So, the probability of being dealt a pair when drawing two cards from a standard deck of 52 playing cards is approximately 5.88%.
In a game of poker, what is the probability of being dealt a pair (two cards of the same rank) when drawing two cards from a standard deck of 52 playing cards?