For every poker player, whether new to the game or being a professional player, it is necessary to understand and use pot odds correctly. Most consider poker pot odds a powerful tool at every level of the game, from basics to advanced strategies. 

Pot odds are a key part of poker strategy. Why is poker strategy important? It is the only way to learn, grow, and keep enjoying the game. From the basic pot odds chart and calculation to understanding the minimum defense frequency vs. pot odds, all of it is good to know as a guide on your poker journey.

What are Pot Odds and Why Do They Matter?

The basic definition of pot odds is the ratio of the size of the table’s poker pot to the size of the call facing the player. Simplified, it’s the value of making the call, the risk versus reward of calling a bet to potentially win the pot. 

They matter because poker is a game of skill as well as chance. While there is luck in poker, as no one can predict the deal of the cards, the skill component is the ability of the player to use math to your advantage. With denomination-marked chips, 52 cards in the deck, and 13 cards for each of the four suits, players can use the information available – hole cards, community cards – as well as betting patterns and tells from opponents, to make educated decisions within the game. 

Calculating pot odds is an important way to remove some of the luck and guesswork in poker by applying math.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Calculating Pot Odds

The basic ratio in calculating pot odds is current pot size: cost of call. Let’s use a simple example:

• There is $100 in the pot, and your opponent bets $50. The size of the pot is $150.
• To call the bet, it will cost $50. The cost of the call is $50.
• The ratio is 150:50.
• Reduce the ratio by dividing each side by a mutually simple number. Since 150 is divisible by 50, perform this equation: 150 ÷ 50 or 150/50. The answer is 3.
• The reduced ratio is 3:1.
• For every $1 you bet, you can win $3 from the pot. 

Those are winning odds. 

However, the pot odds improve when there is more money in the pot and the bet is smaller. In another version of that example, if the pot is $100 and the opponent bets $20, the ratio is 120/20. Reduced, the ratio is 6:1. For every $1 bet, you can win $6. That is a better bet and an easier call.

Your Ultimate Pot Odds Chart for Winning Decisions

Odds are that people are not mathematicians. Not even most poker players can do complicated math problems in their heads with every bet into a pot. That is why there are shortcuts.

The basic ratio for calculating pot odds is pot size as compared to the call size. With some general calculations, it’s better to list out the most common situations based on the bet and how they translate into pot odds.

• Bet:  10% of pot = 11:1 odds
• Bet:  20% of pot = 6:1 odds
• Bet:  25% of pot = 5:1 odds
• Bet:  33% of pot = 4:1 odds
• Bet:  50% of pot = 3:1 odds
• Bet:  66% of pot = 2.5:1 odds
• Bet:  75% of pot = 2.3:1 odds
• Bet:  100% of pot = 2:1 odds

Remember, the second half of every ratio stands for $1 in the pot, and the first half of the ratio is the potential reward. So, the 11:1 odds translates to the potential to win $11 for every $1 you bet or call.

The Power of Pot Odds in Your Poker Strategy

Pot odds by themselves help players make informed decisions. It helps assess the strength of your hand, the potential reward versus the amount risked, and provides opportunities for bluffing and semi-bluffing based on the odds.

Further, you can add other calculations to those pot odds to make even better informed decisions. For example, knowing your outs (how many cards create a winning hand subtracted from the remaining cards in the deck) can work closely with pot odds to calculate equity. And implied odds incorporate the opponent’s betting range into the mix. All of this provides more of a basis for a bet, call, raise, or fold.

BetMGM Online Poker: Sign Up and Play Today

The absolute best way to practice calculating poker pot odds is to play online poker. There are no players watching you do calculations or consulting a chart, so there is no judgment. Online poker also provides the chance to look at your hand histories and calculate previous bets and calls. Looking back at those plays with the odds in hand provides the ability to analyze your previous play and make better decisions going forward.

Play poker at BetMGM, perhaps at micro stakes or low stakes to get started, to try out pot odds calculations and begin implementing them in your poker strategies. There are also special bonus opportunities through various events and promotions, such as the BetMGM Rewards Points Builder Power Hours poker bonus.