Pot Odds (Poker) — the 10-second call decision

Pot odds tell you whether a call is profitable based on price. You compare what you must call vs the total pot you can win after you call.

If your hand’s chance to win (your equity) is higher than the required percentage, the call is +EV as a baseline (ignoring implied odds, future action, and rake).

What pot odds are (plain English)

When Villain bets, you’re being offered a deal: pay C now to win the total pot after you call.

Pot odds convert that deal into a required equity %.

The core formula (required equity)

• P = pot before Villain bets
• B = Villain’s bet
• C = amount you must call (usually C = B)

After you call, the total pot becomes P + B + C.

Required equity = C / (P + B + C)

If your estimated equity is higher than required equity, the call is profitable as a baseline.

Quick ratio form (X to 1)

You can also think in ratios: (P + B + C) : C.

Example: total 40, call 10 → “40 to 10” → “4 to 1” → you need 1 / (4+1) = 20% equity.

Common bet sizes and required equity (heads-up)

Assume Villain bets a fraction f of the pot (B = f·P) and you call the same amount.

Required equity = f / (1 + 2f)

• 1/4 pot → 16.7%
• 1/3 pot → 20.0%
• 1/2 pot → 25.0%
• 2/3 pot → 28.6%
• 3/4 pot → 30.0%
• Pot → 33.3%
• 1.25x pot → 35.7%
• 1.5x pot → 37.5%

Anchor points to memorize: 1/2 pot = 25%, pot = 33%, 1.5x pot = 37.5%.

Five examples (real numbers)

Example 1: Half-pot bet

• Pot P = $10
• Bet B = $5
• Call C = $5

Required equity = 5 / (10+5+5) = 5/20 = 25%.

Interpretation: many flop draws beat 25% often; on the turn, one-card draws often do not.

Example 2: One-third pot c-bet

• Pot P = $30
• Bet B = $10
• Call C = $10

Required equity = 10 / (30+10+10) = 10/50 = 20%.

Interpretation: the price is cheap, so you can defend wider.

Example 3: 70% pot bet

• Pot P = $50
• Bet B = $35
• Call C = $35

Required equity = 35 / (50+35+35) = 35/120 = 29.2%.

Interpretation: you usually need a strong draw, good made hand, or strong playability.

Example 4: Pot-sized bet

• Pot P = $20
• Bet B = $20
• Call C = $20

Required equity = 20 / (20+20+20) = 20/60 = 33.3%.

Interpretation: pure “hope calls” lose money unless you really have ~33% equity or strong implied odds.

Example 5: 1.5x pot overbet

• Pot P = $100
• Bet B = $150
• Call C = $150

Required equity = 150 / (100+150+150) = 150/400 = 37.5%.

Interpretation: overbets deny price; continue with strong hands, strong combo draws, or correct bluff-catchers vs the right range.

Pot odds is not “do I hit my draw?”

Pot odds compares your equity vs their range, not “do I hit exactly my card.”

A practical workflow:

1. Estimate your equity quickly (outs, rough draw %s).
2. Compare it to the required equity from pot odds.

Common mistakes

1. Forgetting your call is part of the final pot. Use C / (P + B + C).
2. Ignoring multiway pots. Price and realization change a lot.
3. Assuming you realize 100% of equity. Some hands can’t reach showdown or continue well.
4. Mixing pot odds with implied odds. Pot odds is the price now; implied odds is future money.

Mini drill (5 minutes)

1. Say: Call / Total after call.
2. Round fast (close enough is fine).
3. Compare to anchors: 20%, 25%, 30%, 33%, 37%.

Next step

Start the Pot Odds Trainer to build muscle memory with real bet sizes and streets.

Recommended next lessons:

• Outs & Rule of 2 and 4 (fast equity estimates)
• Implied Odds (when pot odds isn’t enough)