Poker Ranking Hands Pot Odds

Learning poker pot odds is essential in advancing one's gambling career. In details, pot odds involves the usage of odds or winning chances to decide if to call a raise or bet when having a drawing hand. According to pro players, pot odd calculations gives a player a look on what to expect after each play. When on a straight draw or flush, a player is able to gauge whether to fold or call in line with the size of bet he or she is facing.

However, before commencing on your pot odds calculation, you have to understand the two methods of working out.

  • Ratio method
  • Percentage method

Both methods give the same results, but the technicality varies. Though many players like to use the ratio method, a detailed explanation on each will equip you with the basic knowledge on using them.

1. Ratio method.

For a practical look, lets take cards A, 8 for a hold and cards 2, 7 for a flop. Assumption is that the pot is worth 80 dollars. In this case, you are left with one opponent in the pot who bets 20 dollars. To win, you have to calculate the likelihood of finding another heart after the next turn. Since the ratio methods must have one entity against another, you should calculate the ration of cards left in the deck that are of use against those not of use to you. The ratio is roughly 4:1. This is referred to as card odds.

Next is comparing the card odds with pot odds. Since odds of catching a heart during the next lift are 4:1, you are likely to pick it once after 4 unsuccessful picks. Calculate the ratio by having the pot size against the bet size. The ration is roughly 5:1. If the rations are like this, you should call since the pot odds are greater than odds of hitting a flush. In a nutshell, you should call only if the pot odds are bigger than card odds.

2. Percentage method.

As we did the ratio method, lets take cards 7, 9 for a hold and cards 6, 8, A for a flop. Pot value is 60 dollars then your opponent makes a 30 dollar bet raising the pot to 90 dollars. Since percentage involves equity to a full percentage, you have to calculate the card equity. Work out the outs. Outs are the cards necessary for completion of a straight hand in making. Present are 4 tens and 4 fives so you have to double the total outs then add one. This is roughly 17%.

Once is that is done, compare the percentage with pot odds. Since you are disadvantaged, you should call 30 dollars increasing your chances of pocketing 120 dollars. Adding the extra bet is useful in determining th total size of pot which is roughly 25%. Since the card equity is 17% against a pot size of 25%, you are required to make a fold. Folding is done since to make a call, you have to have a higher percentage of making a hand than that required to call a pot.

For ease and accuracy, the Internet is loaded with odd charts and calculators that can be downloaded. However, with the above breakdown, you are at a position of calculating pot odds by yourself.