How To Calculate Pot Odds Like A Pro: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether it is live or online poker, knowing to calculate the poker odds is one of the most crucial mathematical concepts every poker player needs to understand. It is important for better decision making and profitability in poker. In this guide, we will throw light on what poker odds are and how to calculate them, how to apply them, and make better decisions at the table.

What Are Pot Odds In Poker?

Pot odds refer to the ratio between the total pot size you are playing for and the size of the bet you are facing from your opponent. In simple words, they compare the size of the pot to the cost of calling a bet. Remember, the total size of the pot refers to the uncalled bets made in the current round. They help you decide if it is mathematically correct to call or not to call a bet.

Example:

To explain this further, let us imagine you are playing a game with a total of $10 in the pot. Your opponent bets $5 and the action is now on you. 

There is a total of $15 already in the pot and you are being asked to call $5.  Your pot odds now stand in a ratio of 15:5 (3:1 ratio), meaning that you have to pay 1/3rd of the pot in order to have a chance to win the whole pot.

Step-By-Step Guide: How To Calculate Pot Odds?

Now that you know what pot odds are, it is time to learn about calculating them so that you can convert your pot odds into percentage. Suppose the pot is $50 and your opponent bets $25, making it the total pot of $75. This gives the ratio of 75:25 (3:1) on a call. This means you will be calling $25 to win $75 already in the pot. 

Let us break it down for you into three simple and easy steps for you to understand the calculation better.

Step 1: Calculating The Pot Size

Add the total money currently in the pot and your opponent’s bet

Step 2: Calculating The Call Amount

Determine how much you need to call to calculate the call amount

Step 3: Forming The Pot Odds Ratio

Finally, divide the pot size by the call amount to find the pot odds ratio.

Formula: Pot Odds = Pot Size ÷ Call Amount     

Pot Size: $50 + $25 (opponent’s bet) = $75

Call Amount: $25

Pot Odds: $75 (total pot) ÷ $25 (call amount)= 3:1

Steps To Using Pot Odds Pre-Flop

Using pot odds pre-flop can help you decide whether to call or not to call before the community cards open. It is actually the ratio of the current pot size and the cost of a call.

Situational Example:

Pot Size: $100

Your Hand: 6s 7s

Opponent’s Bet: $20

Cost to Call: $20

Calculating Pot Odds:

Current Pot: $100

Opponent’s Bet: $20

Total Pot After This: $120

Your Call Amount: $20

Pot Odds: $120 (total pot) /$20 (cost to call) = 6:1

Decision Making:

Determining Winning Odds: To convert it into a profitable call, keep in mind that your hand should win at least once in every six tries (16.7%).

Checking Hand Potential: Your hand (6s7s) is a suited connector with a potential to make straights and flushes, which makes it a good ideal to call.

So, if you think that your hand has at least a 16.7% chance of winning against your opponent’s range of hands, it is never a bad idea to make a call. Considering the pot odds and the potential strength of your hand, calling with 67 is not a bad play. It can be a profitable call if the flop favours you.

Comparing Pot Odds To Drawing Odds     

To make the correct decision, you need to compare your pot odds to the odds of completing your draw. Drawing odds indicate the probability of getting the required card for you to complete a winning hand.

Calculating Drawing Odds     

1.Count Your Outs: Identify how many cards in the deck will complete your hand. For example, check how many hearts are left for a flush.

Example: If you have a flush draw with 2 clubs in your hand and 2 clubs on the board, there are 13 clubs in the deck. You have 13 – 4 = 9 outs.  

2.Calculate Drawing Odds: Determine your probability of making your hand by counting your outs. Check out what kind of hand you are drawing to. See if it is a flush, straight, full house or any other potentially winning hand. Multiply your outs by 2 for the turn (1 card to come) and by 4 for the flop (2 cards to come) to estimate your drawing odds in a particular hand.

Decision Making     

Make your final decision on the basis of favourable and unfavourable odds. If the pot odds are greater than the drawing odds, it is a profitable call. On the other hand, if the pot odds are lower than the drawing odds, it is wise to fold. Let us give you an example. Suppose you have a flush draw with 9 outs left, your chances of hitting the flush on the next card are about 4 to 1.

Pot Odds: 5:1

Drawing Odds: 4:1

Since the pot odds are greater than the drawing odds here in this example, it is profitable if you call a bet from your opponent.

Simple Ways To Determine Your Pot Odds

If you want to make your life easy at the poker table, we recommend you to memorize this list of the pot odds. This list is based on your opponent’s bet size and will help you make profitable decisions. It will help you know what equity you need to make a call when facing different bet sizes.

Keep following our Poker Learning Page for more such insightful pieces on Poker strategy.