What are Pot Odds and what should you know
about them? Well, Pot Odds is the ratio
of what is already in the pot to the amount
you would have to bet to stay in the hand.
So, if there are $36 in the pot, and you
would need to bet $6 to stay in the hand,
the pot odds are 36 to 6, or 6 to 1.
Why would you need to know this?
One example of using pot odds is when
your hand is not yet the best hand at
the table, but it could be if the right
card comes up next. For instance, with
four cards on the board you hold four
clubs. The odds of completing the flush
on the river are roughly 5 to 1 against
you. That means for you to bet there should
be at least five times the bet amount
in the pot. If the bet to you is $2, then
there should be at least $10 in the pot
to make it worth calling.
Suppose there were $24 in the pot when
you were making that decision. The odds
of landing that club and getting the best
hand at the table were 5 to 1. The pot
would pay you 12 to 1 on your bet. That
makes calling the bet the right decision
to make. You may not land your club and
win the hand, but over the long run playing
this way will be to your advantage. Another
instance of using pot odds is after the
river, when the final bet comes to you.
If the pot holds $40, and the bet in front
of you is $4, you can use pot odds to
decide what to do. The pot is laying you
Ten to One odds. ($40 against your $4
bet). Even though you feel your opponent
may have the better hand, do you think
he is ten times more likely to have a
better hand? If so, fold. If not, call
the bet and see his cards.
There are plenty of times at the poker
table when you will be asking yourself,
"Is it worth staying in this hand?". Being
able to use pot odds will help you answer
that question correctly more often.
this article compliments of http://www.pokerprophet.com
