Pot Odds

I was just reading a lot of post on the Odds Chart thread and I noticed that alot of people posted that they dont calculate their odds, they play by "feel". Some also said that they figure if their odds are low they fold to a medium sized bet. But I noticed that not one of them mentioned calculating their pot odds before making a decision.

For those who dont know. Pot odds work like this.

First calculate the odds that you will hit your hand. Lets say you have a 1 in 5 chance of hitting.

This means that if you have to make a call, the amount of the call should be less than 1/5 of the total pot (ex. the raise is to 20, but the pot is at 200 so the bet is 1/10 of the pot.)

So if the ratio of the bet to the pot is smaller than the odds of hitting you should call.

I was wondering if anyone else uses pot odds when making a decision to call or not? I just started doing it recently, and it has really helped a lot.

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theprofessor@texasholdemforums.com

I do, but I'm still working on knowing my outs. Not knowing, but knowing the percentage of catching them. ~ Biggs

thank you for this post professor, I really need to calculate the pot odds, but I think I don't really understand it all... Can you post an example or two? It will for sure help me calculate better, because I only play with number of out, and I don't really consider the size of the pot...

I think that it is really important to calcualte your outs and find your pot odds to see if you should make a particular call or not.

I know that a lot of people like to play no limit because it is more exciting. But I think that Winning Low Limit Hold Em is a really good book to read.

You can get a good understanding of hand selections and pot odds and it's fairly easy to understand. I've read it once and am going back to make notes and highlight some things. But it has helped me improve my game so far.

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here are some pot odds just for the novice that doesn't know them yet. I posted this in another post. This should help also

Number of Outs
1 45-to-1
2 22-to-1
3 14.3-to-1
4 10.6-to-1
5 8.2-to-1
6 6.7-to-1
7 5.6-to-1
8 4.25-to-1
9 4.1-to-1
10 3.6-to-1
11 3.2-to-1
12 2.8-to-1
13 2.5-to-1
14 2.2-to-1
15 2.1-to-1
16 1.9-to-1
17 1.7-to-1
18 1.6-to-1

How to use pot odds. If you are dealt Kc Jc. Flop comes Ac 3c 6s. You have 9 outs to a flush. 6 outs to middle pair. You are 4.1-to-1 to make your flush. If the pot is offering more than 4.1-to-1 than you should correctly play. How to determing if the you are getting correct pot odds. On the flop say you are playing 1/2 limit. 5 people are in the pot and the pot is $12 and it is $2 to you. You are getting 6-to-1 pot odds. 12 divided by 2 gets the 6 to 1. So you should correctly call.

Same hand lets say the pot is only $6 and its $2 to you. Giving you 3-to-1 you should fold. See the 6 divided by 2. 6/2=3.

This does not take into effect implied odds. But, for now if your a beginer this should help you make correct decisions when faced with draws.

Oneday

I think this is a great thread. SO many people are into the game now, and yet SO few know what theyre doing. It amazes me how many people think they have the game down cold because they can riffle chips and know the odds of getting AA are 221-1. On the other hand, I ADORE these very same people for sitting down with me to play. How can one be willing to play for their hard-earned money by 'feel' alone. Only one type of player approaches things that way. A thrill seeking degenerate gambler. A SUCKER. Anyone who says they have EVER won a tournament of any caliber without knowing their odds in certain situations is either EXTREMELY lucky, or a liar. And as for those 'feel' players. They're the same ones that will lay down to a $200 bet into a $3000 pot with two pair when there's a flush draw on the board. Using you poker instincts is vital to good play. But to HAVE poker instincts requires knowledge of the game. Not a magic 8 ball.

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i agree with you completely matro. You hit it right on.
As for those who say they would like to learn more about pot odds, there is to much to explain here. I suggest getting a video or reading a book. Personally I prefer Howard Ledderers DVD's. The man is a genius with math and probably understands odds better than almost anyone.

I tried to explain a little bit in the original post

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"I started with nothing. I still have most of it left."

"I find your lack of faith disturbing"

http://live.xbox.com/member/JediSlayer76

theprofessor@texasholdemforums.com