If you're the kind of poker player whose eyes glaze over when someone mentions pot odds, then you are the kind of player who needs to read this. Pot odds in poker actually aren't all that difficult to wrap your head around. And if you do, you can see enormous benefits to your play.
So strap yourself in and let's give you a useful poker lesson that will pay dividends in the future.
1. Pot odds in poker is the cost of the call in relation to the size of the pot
This is the kind of thing that starts to become intuitive after you've played a lot of poker. If the pot is huge and someone makes a pretty small bet, it can make sense to call on the off chance that you've got the winning hand.
2. You express pot odds in ratios
The most common way to express pot odds is in ratios. That simply means the size of the current pot to the cost of the call. So for example, if you have a ยฃ6 pot and the call is ยฃ0.60, those pot odds are 10:1.
3. The key to pot odds in poker is using it in relation to your hand probability
To make pot odds work for you, you've got to take stock of what you have. How strong is your hand? And compared to the board, what are your chances of winning?
Now work out the pot odds. If there's a higher chance you'll win than what the pot odds are, you should make that call. But if your shot at winning is lower than the pod odds, then don't call.
4. Implied pot odds takes account of the future as well
Of course, nobody can predict the future, particularly when it comes to poker. We've all been there, done that and bought the t-shirt. But it's also true that seasoned players can expect to have a rough idea of what is likely to happen.
So when you take into account what might happen in future rounds of betting, that's called implied pot odds. This is another thing players often do intuitively, but it's really good to be conscious of it. And implied pot odds have a handy little formula for helping you decide how to proceed. Add the bets that you expect to gain if you win the hand, excluding your own bets, to the current pot. That, my friend, is your basis for implied pot odds. And it can come in mighty useful.
5. Reverse implied pot odds are essential for aggressive plays
A lot of people run for the hills when they hear the term reverse implied pot odds in poker. But despite the tongue twister of a name, you shouldn't be afraid to learn what this has to offer you.
If you're up against an aggressive player, minimum wins and maximum losses will speak to you. And that's what reverse implied pot odds are all about
Simply put, it's when you win a minimum amount if you come out on top of this play or else incur maximum losses if you don't. Essentially, if you go in all guns blazing because you have AA, everyone folds and you win the minimum amount. Alternatively, you do the same thing but someone matches your bets and then beats you with a flush, you're going to lose a whole lot.
So when you're thinking about reverse implied pot odds when playing online poker at sites such as Bet365 poker, you've got to really consider what the other players have and how they'll react.
BET247
Bet ยฃ10 Get ยฃ50 in Free Bets
Bet365 Review ย โ Min Deposit: ยฃ5ย ย โ Expiry: 30 daysย ย โ Min Odds: 1/5 (1.20)ย
New Customers only. Bet ยฃ10 and get ยฃ50 in Free Bets when you join bet365. Sign up, deposit between ยฃ5 and ยฃ10 to your account and bet365 will give you five times that value in Free Bets when you place qualifying bets to the same value settle. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits. Min odds/bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. T&Cs, time limits & exclusions apply. Registration Required.
TOP30
Bet ยฃ10 and Get ยฃ30 In Free Bets
William Hill Review ยป โ Min ยฃ10/โฌ10/$10 stake ย ย โ Expiry: 30 daysย ย โ Min Odds: 1.5
18+. New customers using Promo code TOP30 only, Min ยฃ10/โฌ10/$10 stake, min odds 1.5, free bets paid as 2 x ยฃ15/โฌ15/$15, free bets credited after settlement of first qualifying bet, free bets will expire 30 days after the qualifying bet is settled, payment method/player/country restrictions apply.
NEW BONUS
DEPOSIT ยฃ10 GET ยฃ60 FREE PLAY
GG Poker Review ยปย โ Min Deposit: ยฃ10ย ย โ Limited periodย ย โ $1 for ever $ in Rake
18+ GGPokerโs game currency is USD ($), other currencies such as GBP (ยฃ) are only used for illustrative purposes. Welcome Bonus and Honeymoon promotion for new players only over a limited period. Welcome Bonus only available to new players that make an initial deposit. Minimum deposit is $10/ยฃ10. ยฃ60 Free Play offer made up of $52.50 in free All-In Or Fold SNG tickets from Welcome Bonus and $2.50 in free tickets from Daily Freebie. Free tickets automatically credited to eligible playersโ accounts over a 6 period. A 100% matched deposit bonus worth a maximum of $600 can be claimed by players selecting โMatch Bonusโ when making their first deposit(s) over a limited period. Bonus cash is released at a rate of $1 for every $5 paid in net rake/tournament fees.
Joe is an experienced professional copywriter over 14 years of experience in the betting industry, specializing in the iGaming sector. He has authored thousands of articles, including bookmaker reviews, โhow-toโ guides, bonus comparisons, and much more.
#AD โ Bonus Code Poker is an affiliate of the brands we promote throughout this site. While we strive to maintain accuracy throughout our content, we do receive compensation for this promotion.