Pot Odds and Implied Odds for New Poker Player

By: Clive Chung

Pot odds are the odds equal the ratio of the pot size to the size of the bet you must call. To determine the pot odds, simply take the amount of money that is already in the pot and divide that by how much you need to put in to call. Understand the pot odds helps you to determine whether or not you should call when you are on a draw. Let's say you are in a game that six people see the flop for $5; there is $30 in the pot. On the flop, there is a $15 bet and now it's your turn to call. The pot odds are $45:$15 or about 3 to 1.

Implied Odds

Implied odds represent how much money you might be able to make if you successfully hit a drawing hand. On the other words, implied odds are simply future pot odds. If you are pretty sure that your opponent will bet another amount of money into the pot in the future, you should use the implied odds before deciding whether to call a bet or not. Before you use the implied odds, make sure you have a good understanding of your opponent's action. Will he bet out and then call a raise if the card you need hits? If you fail to read your opponent, it may cost you a lot especially in the no limit game. I will cover the four different of players in the later chapter.

Call or Fold

Let's say you are holding J♣T♣, and the flop brings a Q♥8♣2♥. There is $30 in the pot, your opponent bets $10, and there are three callers when it gets to you. Currently your pot odd is $70:$10, and you have a gutshot straight draw, any nine will make your hand. You are 11:1 against completing your hand on the turn while getting only 7:1 on a call. From what we have learned, you should only call your hand if you believe there is another $40 bet when the turn show. You must have good understanding of your opponent when you try to use the implied odds. Therefore, if you are new to poker, don't over use that until you are comfortable with it.

Here are some examples, make sure you understand it all if you are new to poker.

There is $100 in the pot on the pot, and one of your opponent bet $500 to you. What is the pot odds?

The pot odds are $600:$500, or about 1.2 to 1

You are holding 5♣4♣, and the flop brings a A♠K♠2♣. You believe your opponent has AK. Both of you have $500 There was $80 in the pot, and your opponent bet $50. Do you call or fold your hand?

Your card odd is 11:1 to make your straight and your pot odd is only $130:$50, or about 3:1. You should fold your hand. However, your opponent usually will bet all of his chips since he has two top pairs at this point. The implied odd will be $630:$50 or about 13:1. Now your pot odd is greater than your card odd, you are pretty comfortable to call now.

You are holding 6♥5♥, and the flop brings a A♠7♣3♠. Your opponent has A7 and he is acting very aggressive that you believe he will call or raise whatever card come out on the river. You have $840 left, and he has $950. The pot has $20 before the turn, and he bet $40. Do you call or fold?

Your card odd is 11:1 to make your straight and your pot odd is $60:$40, or about 1.5:1. However, you believe your opponent will call even though a four drops. The implied odd now is $860:$40, or about 21:1. Now your pot odd (implied pot odd) is a lot greater than your card odd, you should call.