Understanding Pot Odds

What Are Pot Odds?

Pot odds express the price you're getting on a call. If the pot is $100 and your opponent bets $50, you need to call $50 to win $150. Your pot odds are 150:50, or 3:1. This means you need to win at least 25% of the time for the call to be profitable.

Converting Odds to Percentages

To convert pot odds to a percentage, divide the call amount by the total pot after your call. In our example: $50 / ($150 + $50) = 25%. If your hand equity exceeds 25%, calling is profitable in the long run.

• 2:1 odds = 33% equity needed
• 3:1 odds = 25% equity needed
• 4:1 odds = 20% equity needed
• 5:1 odds = 17% equity needed

Key Takeaway