Pot Odds and Implied Odds: How to Calculate Your Equity

Pot odds are one of the most important mathematical concepts in poker. Once you understand them, you can make disciplined calling decisions based on logic rather than intuition.

What Are Pot Odds?

Pot odds represent the ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a call.

Formula: Pot Odds % = Call Size / (Pot + Call) × 100

Example: Pot is $100, opponent bets $50. Call $50 into $150 total = 33.3%. Your hand needs to win at least 33.3% of the time.

Calculating Your Equity

With a flush draw on the flop, you have approximately 9 outs. Using the "rule of 2 and 4":

• With two cards to come: 9 × 4 = ~36% equity
• With one card to come: 9 × 2 = ~18% equity

Implied Odds

Implied odds account for future bets you expect to win if you hit your hand. Calling slightly worse pot odds is profitable when your opponent has a deep stack and tends to call large bets.

Reverse Implied Odds

Reverse implied odds apply when hitting your draw might cost you more money than you gain. A classic example: drawing to the low end of a straight when a higher straight is possible. Even if you hit, you may lose a big pot to a better hand.