Pot odds: how much equity you need to call
The pot odds compare what you have to call with the pot you can win. They tell you the minimum equity (your average share of the pot) for a call not to lose money in the long run.
The formula
Required equity = what you call ÷ (pot before the bet + opponent’s bet + what you call).
- 1) Pot before the bet: 100.
- 2) The opponent bets 50 → there is 150 in the middle.
- 3) To call you put in 50 → the final pot would be 200.
- 4) Required equity = what you call / final pot = 50 / 200 = 25.0%.
- 5) As a ratio: you risk 50 to win 150 → 3 to 1.
Assumptions
The calculation assumes there is no more betting after your call. In practice, future streets can improve your price (implied odds) or make it worse; that is why it is a starting point.
With draws
With 9 outs (a flush draw) on the turn, you hit on the river 19.6% of the time (9 of 46 cards). Against a 1/3-pot bet you need 20%: almost enough. Against a pot-sized bet you need 33.3%: not enough without future action in your favor. The rule of 2 (outs × 2 ≈ 18%) is a useful approximation at the table.
Practice it on POKER AULA
In the free demo you make your first decision at a table and see the why behind the answer.
Try the free demo