If you’re looking to improve your poker game, then learning how to crush pot odds is a must. This guide will teach you everything you need to know about this essential aspect of the game so that you can start winning more money at the table.
How to Calculate Pot Odds in Poker
This article will help you if you don’t know much about poker pot odds, or if you want to refresh your memory.
You will soon learn the basics of poker pot odds and how to calculate them step by step.
We will then look at 3 different ways to use poker odds in different situations (preflop, post-flop).
What are Pot Odds?
Poker pot odds are the ratio of the total pot size and the size you place on the bet. Remember that the total pot size includes all bets placed in the current round.
If there are $2 in the pot, and your opponent wagers $1, your odds of winning the whole pot are 3 to 1. To win the entire pot, you must pay 1/3 of the pot.
The mathematical basis for calling poker situations is the pot odds. We wouldn’t be capable of determining which calls are profitable or not without them.
Note: To separate values, you can also use a “:”, such as 3:1.
Step-by-Step Calculating Poker Pot Odds
Let’s say the pot is $100, and your opponent places a $50 bet. This would make the total pot $150. This means that you get 150:50 on a call. It can be simplified to 3:1.
You will need to convert your poker odds to a percentage to calculate how much equity you need to profitably call the bet.
Let’s take a look at the 3-step process to convert your poker odds into percentages.
Step 1 Calculate the final pot size if you were to dial
First, determine the pot size if you call the bet. In this example, the total pot is $150, and there’s $50 to call. The pot would then be $200 ($150 total pot + $50 call).
This number will be referred to as the final.
Step 2 Divide the call’s size by the final pot
This is 0.25 ($50 final pot size / $50 call size).
Step 3 Multiply 100 to get the percentage
Simply multiply 0.25 * 100 to convert the decimal into a percentage. This is 25% (0.25 * 100).
This means that you must win more than 25% of your calls to make a profit.
Next, you need to determine if your hand has at least 25% equity relative to your opponent’s range.
Example 1: Preflop Poker Pot Odds
NOTE: While we’ll be covering cash game examples, the same process applies to tournament hands.
Let’s say you are playing a $0.50/$1.00 6-handed online cash game. A player raises to $3 at the cutoff, and the action folds to your big blind.
Your hand is 7 5. Let’s take a step-by-step approach to determine if you can profitably make a call based upon your poker odds.
Step 1 Calculate the final pot size if you were to dial
$3 (the amount of the raise) + $0.50 (+ your small blind) + $2(your call size) = $6.5
The call size is $2 because you already have $1 as the big blind.
Step 2 Divide the call’s size by the final pot
$2 call size / $6.5 final Pot size = 0.307
Step 3 Multiply by 100 for the percentage
Calling requires 0.307 * 100 = 30% equity
Step 4 – Determine if your hand has enough equity for you to call
Now you need to calculate your opponent’s range, and whether your 7 5 has at most 30.7% equity against it.
We will use the Upswing Lab training program cutoff range to estimate your opponent’s raises since they were above the cutoff.
The Upswing Lab offers a Cutoff Raise range (Red = Raise; Pink = Optional Raise; Blue = Fold).
It’s fine to use your intuition to estimate the range of your opponent’s hands if you don’t have access to the ranges in the Upswing Lab.
We then input the range and your hand into an Equity Calculator to determine if you have enough equity. (Remember, you need a minimum 30.7%).
7 5 has 37% equity compared to the cutoff range, which means that you can call profitably.
Example 2: Poker Pot Odds and a Draw
Let’s go on with the same hand. The cutoff raises to $3 at $0.50/$1.00 Online and you have 7 in the big blind. You now know that you have enough equity for you to call.
J 8 2 is the flop. You check to the preflop raiser, and he places a $4 bet into the $6.50 pot. Let’s look at the steps involved in determining if this bet can be called profitably.
Step 1 Calculate the final pot size, if you were to dial
$6.50 (the Pot Size) + $4(The Bet Size) + $4 ($Your Call Size) = $14.50
Step 2 Divide the call’s size by the final pot
$4 Call size / $14.5 final Pot Size = 0.276
Step 3 Multiply by 100 for the percentage
Calling requires 0.276 * 100 = 27.6% equity
Step 4 – Determine if your hand has enough equity for you to call
This will simplify the calculation by focusing on your hand and skipping estimating your opponent’s range.
Let’s look at your outs.
- You have 9 outs for a flush. This means that you will improve to a flush in 18% of your time (9 diamonds/47 remaining cards).
- You have 6 outs for a pair (12% probability), which may be the best hand but also allows you to call a bet on a turn if your opponent makes one.
- There are 6 ways to make a straight draw (12% probability). This allows you to call a bet on your opponent’s turn if they make one.
You will also have an 18% chance to hit your flush, and your opponent may not always bet on your turn if you miss one of your outs.
It is clear to see how we will reach the 27.6% equity we need to make profitably calling.
Example 3 – Using Poker Pot Odds for Bluff-Catch on River
Note: Bluff-catching refers to calling a bet with a hand you can only beat the opponent’s bluffs.
You must always consider the range of your opponent when deciding whether to bluff-catch or not on the river.
Let’s say you defend your big blind against a cutoff raise of 9 7. The flop is 9 8 3. You check-call a wager. The turn is a 2, and you check-call another bet.
The river card is the 2, and your opponent places a $20 bet on the $40 pot.
It’s time to take our next steps!
Step 1 Calculate the final pot size, if you were to dial
$20 (the bet size), + $40 (the pot size), + $20 (your call size), = $80
Step 2 Divide the size call by the final pot
$20 Call size / $80 final Pot Size = 0.25
Step 3 Multiply by 100 for the percentage
0.25 * 100 = 25%
Step 4 – Determine if your hand has enough equity for you to call
This is done by entering your opponent’s range along with your hand into an equity calculator. However, first, we need to determine the range you are up against.
We’ll assume that he is within the value range of his cutoff raise and three-street bet on 9 8 3 2 2.
- Sets 88 (33) and 99 (99 likely slow-plays after the flop).
- Strong two-pair: AA, 98s, A9s
His bluffing range includes all missed straight draws, including QJ, QT, and JT. We’ll reduce his number of bluffs by half as we calculate that most poker players underestimate their ability to bluff.
Your 9 7 has 46.58% equity compared to your opponent’s range. This means that you can call and make a profit in this situation.
Poker Pot Odds Shortcuts
A list of poker pot odds will make your life easier at the table. You can also memorize it and try to approximate the size of your opponent’s bet. This will allow you to concentrate on other aspects of your hand and make more profitable decisions.
They can be saved to your phone or computer so that you always have it on hand.
Conclusion:
So, now you know everything there is to know about poker pot odds. Remember, it’s essential to use them correctly to crush the competition and win more money at poker.