Second step is to divide the size of the call with the total pot, which in our case equals:įinally in order to get the percentage we just have to multiply it by 100:Ĭonclusion: our hand needs more than 25% equity in order for the call to be profitable. As the next step, in order to know exactly how much equity our hand needs to profitably call the bet, we need to convert our pot odds into a percentage.įirst step is to calculate the total pot after our call, which in our case is : We will use the same example from above: the pot is $200 and the villain bets $100, with the pot odds being 3:1. How to calculate the equity needed to make a profitable call? In the absence of pot odds, it would be quite impossible to figure out which calls are profitable and which are not.

The mathematical foundation for calling situations in poker are Pot odds. In other words you have to pay 1/3 pot in order to stay in the hand. In other words this is the amount of chips in the pot in comparison to the amount of chips you just call to stay in the hand.įor example: if there are $200 in the pot and villain bets $100, then your pot odds are ($200+$100):$100 which is 3:1 (3 to 1). Pot odds equals with the ratio between the size of the pot and the size of the bet against you. You’ll also get a simple outs and equity cheat sheet. In the second part of the article we’ll go through some examples. In the first part of the article you’ll learn what pot odds are and how to calculate them. I would say one of the fundamental skills for playing winning poker is understanding and knowing how to calculate the pot odds. Odds, probability and statistics are attached to every aspect of your game, it can be your actions, the hands you play, your bet, anything. All you need is middle school math knowledge and you’re good to go.

You do not need a PhD in Mathematics to be able to calculate pot odds. My advice: Stop making the excuse that math wasn’t your favorite subject in school. Poker is not only about tells, reads and ‘feel’, and if you don’t know how to calculate pot odds I guarantee that you are burning money at the poker tables. If you’re unfamiliar with the mathematics of poker and you’re wondering if you can get by without learning it, then understand that ignoring the mathematical side of poker will leave you with a massive disadvantage. After I started posting weekly Equity and Pot Odds quizzes on my Instagram page( I’ve got asked a lot how to calculate them, so I’ve decided to write a short article about it.

Texas holdem poker pot odds