Pot Odds
The ratio of the pot to the cost of a call, used to decide whether calling is profitable.
Pot odds compare the size of the pot to the amount you have to call. They tell you how often you need to win for a call to break even. If your chance of winning the hand is higher than that number, calling is profitable over time.
Pot odds cheat sheet
How much equity you need to call, and which draws have it
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The math: your opponent bets $25 into a $75 pot
Risk $25 to win $100
20% needed
25 / (100 + 25)
Can your draw call?
| Bet size | 1/4 potneeds 16.7% | 1/3 potneeds 20% | 1/2 potneeds 25% | 2/3 potneeds 28.6% | Potneeds 33.3% | 2x potneeds 40% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flush draw9 outs · 35% | Call | Call | Call | Call | Call | Fold |
| Open-ended straight8 outs · 31.5% | Call | Call | Call | Call | Fold | Fold |
| Gutshot straight4 outs · 16.5% | Fold | Fold | Fold | Fold | Fold | Fold |
How to Calculate Pot Odds
- Add up the pot after your opponent's bet.
- Divide your call by (that pot plus your call).
Example: the pot is $75 and your opponent bets $25. The pot is now $100, and it costs you $25 to call.
$25 / ($100 + $25) = 20%
You need to win more than 20% of the time to make the call profitable. In ratio terms, you are getting 4 to 1 ($100 to $25).
Comparing Pot Odds to Your Equity
Your equity is your chance of winning the hand. With a drawing hand, you estimate it from your "outs," the cards that complete your hand.
| Draw (in Hold'em) | Outs | Chance on Next Card | Chance by the River (from the flop) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush draw | 9 | 19.6% (turn to river) | 35.0% |
| Open-ended straight draw | 8 | 17.4% (turn to river) | 31.5% |
| Gutshot straight draw | 4 | 8.7% (turn to river) | 16.5% |
With a flush draw facing that $25 bet into $100, you need 20%. With one card to come you have about 19.6%, so it's very close. With two cards to come (and no more betting), you have about 35%, a clear call.
The Rule of 2 and 4
A quick shortcut: multiply your outs by 2 for one card to come, or by 4 for two cards to come. Nine outs × 4 = 36%, close to the true 35%. It gets less accurate with many outs.
Implied Odds
Pot odds only count the money in the pot now. Implied odds also count the money you expect to win later if you hit. A call with slightly bad pot odds can still be good if your opponent will pay you off when you make your hand.
Key Takeaways
- Pot odds = your call / (pot after the bet + your call).
- Call when your chance of winning is higher than the pot odds percentage.
- Count outs to estimate your equity: a flush draw has 9 outs.
- The rule of 2 and 4 gives a quick estimate of your equity.
Examples
- Calling $50 into a $150 pot: $50 / $200 = 25% needed.
- With an open-ended straight draw (8 outs) on the turn, you hit about 17.4% of the time.
Test Your Knowledge
1 / 4Do you know what Expected Value (EV) means?
The average outcome of a bet over time. Positive EV bets profit in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good pot odds ratio?
There is no single good number. Pot odds are only good or bad compared with your chance of winning. If you need 20% and you win 30% of the time, it is a good call.
What is the difference between pot odds and implied odds?
Pot odds only use the money in the pot now. Implied odds add the extra money you expect to win on later streets if you complete your hand.