Pot Odds

Pot Odds

You know how to count outs and convert them to probabilities. Now it's time to answer the real question: is it worth calling?

What Are Pot Odds?

Pot odds tell you the price the pot is offering you to make a call. Think of it like shopping -- the pot is what you stand to win, and your call is what you have to pay. Pot odds tell you whether the price is right.

The Formula

Pot odds as a percentage:

Pot odds = amount to call / (pot + amount to call)

The denominator is the total pot after your call -- that's the existing pot (including your opponent's bet) plus your call.

Worked Example

The pot is $100**. Your opponent bets **$20.

• The pot is now $100 +$20 = $120 (the original pot plus their bet).
• You must call $20.
• Total pot after your call: $120 +$20 = $140.
• Pot odds: $20 /$140 = 14.3%

This means you need to win more than 14.3% of the time to make calling profitable. That's a great price!

Another way to think about it: the pot is offering you $120 to$20, or 6:1 odds. You only need to win 1 out of every 7 times to break even.

The Decision Rule

Here's the key insight that ties everything together:

If your probability of winning > pot odds needed, then CALL. If your probability of winning < pot odds needed, then FOLD.

This is where outs, the Rule of 2/4, and pot odds all connect:

1. Count your outs
2. Use the Rule of 2 (or 4) to estimate your win probability
3. Calculate pot odds
4. Compare them

Connecting It All

Let's walk through a complete decision:

You have a flush draw (9 outs) on the turn. The pot is $100 and your opponent bets$25.

1. Outs: 9 (flush draw)
2. Win probability: 9 x 2 = ~18% (Rule of 2, one card to come)
3. Pot odds: $25 / ($125 + $25) =$25 / $150 = ~16.7%
4. Decision: 18% > 16.7% -- CALL! Your probability of winning exceeds the price you're paying.

Now what if the opponent had bet $50 instead?

3. Pot odds: $50 / ($150 + $50) =$50 / $200 = 25%
4. Decision: 18% < 25% -- FOLD. The bet is too big; you're not getting the right price.

Common Bet Sizes and the Pot Odds They Create

Notice how a pot-sized bet requires you to win 1 out of 3 times, while a quarter-pot bet only requires 1 out of 6 times. Bigger bets price out more draws!

Up Next

The two drills in this level will make pot odds second nature. First you'll practice calculating pot odds from different scenarios, then you'll combine pot odds with your outs knowledge to make call-or-fold decisions. Let's make sure you always get the right price!