Poker Pot Odds - the easy way to calculate in 10 seconds
Poker Pot Odds - the easy way to calculate in 10 seconds
Most poker players have heard of the term pot odds, some have a basic concept of pot odds however, few players have a good grasp of what pot odds actually are and how to utilise them effectively in a game of poker.
Put simply, pot odds are the price you are getting on your call when compared with the money already in the pot. Knowing how to calculate and use pot odds to your advantage is one of the most important weapons that professional poker players have in their arsenal, one that significantly separates them from the amateur player.
Poker pot odds are often associated with complex mathematical calculations and the less serious player can feel daunted at the prospect of making on the spot calculations. Consider this though, do you really think that to be a serious poker player you need to be a genius at mathematics? Do you think all poker pros are? The answer is of course a resounding NO, what they do have is a method of calculating the odds quickly and accurately to see if they are in their favour in any given situation.
So let’s look at a simple way of calculating the odds, bearing in mind that it needs to be quick and easy so that it can be worked out whilst that 15 second timer is counting down.
Your calculation needs to give you the answer to the following question:
“Are the odds of you getting the card(s) you need to make the winning hand less than the odds you are getting from the pot?”
If yes, you should call, if not throw them in the muck.
Pot odds:This can be worked out very simply: if the pot is $100 and to call costs you $20, your pot odds are 100/20 or 5:1.
Now for working out the odds of getting the card you need:
There are several methods but in my opinion by far the quickest and easiest way of working this out is using the little known rule of “Four-Two”. The rule of four-two works like this: if you are on the flop you multiply your number of outs by four, if you are on the turn you multiply your number of outs by 2 giving you a percentage figure that is astoundingly accurate.
For example, you are playing in cash game, your hole cards are KQ and the flop is 10 J 4. In order to make your straight you need either an Ace or a 9 therefore you have eight possible cards that make your straight or eight “outs”:
Using the rule of four-two our odds are 4 X 8 = 32% or just under 2/1 (100/32)
N.B. for the purpose of this calculation we always work on the assumption that all of our outs are still in the left deck.
So, considering the example above, our pot odds are 5/1 and the odds of making our hand are just over 2/1 therefore we are getting good value and it is correct to call.
You must master this if you want to be successful at the table long term.
