[123Law]

Ok, I have seen many different ways of calculating pot odds, but I am very curious to see what you all do, and also see how many of you actually calculate the odds when you play.

I am to the point in my game, where I calculate the odds of hitting on the next card. But I dont have a rule-of-thumb for how taking into account how much is in the pot, and making a decision about how to continue.

Basically, I can figure out the odds (5-1), but I am having troubles factoring in the amount in the pot, and I have yet to develop a rule that takes into consideration the amount in the pot, with the current odds for hitting.

Suggestions/Rules-of-thumb?

[TriptreysNJ]

divide the pot amount by the bet amount. example, the pot is 1200, and someone bets 400, the pot will have 1600, and hes giving you 4:1 pot odds. 1600 divided by 400 = 4. Now if the odds for hitting your outs is a lesser ratio, like 2:1, then you should call. If its a higher ratio, like 5:1, then fold.

[123Law]

Ok, so lets run through an example.

5 people, P1 - P5. Lets assume P5 is our hero.
P1 - sb (100)
P2 - bb (200)
p3 - fold
p4 - fold
p5 - Dealt [Jd, Qh] - calls 200
P1 - calls
P2 - checks ** right here, pot is 600.
FLOP: [10d, Jh, Ac]

Right now, to win this hand, I need another J (2 cards), another Q (3 cards) or any king (4 cards).

So, I have 9 outs, I have seen 5 cards for a total of 14, and there are 52 in the deck, thus giving me 3.71 to 1 odds. Right?

[Lytspeed]

Originally Posted by 123Law

So, I have 9 outs, I have seen 5 cards for a total of 14, and there are 52 in the deck, thus giving me 3.71 to 1 odds. Right?

The odds calculation sounds right to me (though I'm not an expert on this.) This still doesn't take into account the pot odds comparison against the odds of getting a winning hand, though. If we extend the example:

After the flop, betting begins with P1 (the SB.) Say he checks. P2 bets $300 to bring the pot to $900. If you call, the pot odds would be 3:1 (900/300=3.) This is slightly lower than your calculated odds of catching a winning card, so a fold would probably be a good play.

However, here's a different example. If P2 bets the BB ($200) to bring the pot total to $800, the odds become 800/200=4, so you have 4:1 pot odds. Since your chance of hitting a card is a little lower than that, calling would be a good option.

(Everyone, please feel free to correct me if I got this wrong. I'm not the Wizard of Odds.)

[track1697]

Ok well first off your assuming your behind in the example. But in a 5 handed game, if I had A-x I would probably have raised preflop. Especially in the bb with a couple of limpers. No one is representing a solid hand so a nice size raise pre flop would have taken down the pot. Considering there was not a preflop raise there is a good chance your Js are the best hand and you should raise.

Of course there is always the chance that the BB had QK (though he probably should slow-play that, but I will ignore that in this point) then you need to hit runner running to win the hand or hit the King just to spilt. So your pot odds to win this hand are extremely low.

But if we are assuming BB has A-x, then I would calculate odds like this.
You have 9 outs and you have seen 5 cards. So there are 47 cards left in which you can win with 9 of them.

47/9 = 5.22 to 1 that you hit one of your outs on the turn. Assuming you don't hit on the turn then you have a 46/9 = 5.11 to 1 chance of hitting on the river. This gives you about 42% chance to win I believe. However, before the turn the pot is offering you 3 to 1 on your money so you should call. I'm not a pot odds expert either so I could be completly wrong on this, but thats they way I do it.

[Thinkerbell]

Here's how I calculate pot odds:

First I study the pot. What kind of pot is it? Raku? Antique? Chinese? Does it go with my decor? If not, I immediately fold. How big is it? After all, I have to put it somewhere. Do I have room for it? (I already have a lot of pots.) How many other people want it? Do they want it more than I do?

I give all this consideration, and I give myself a 50-50 chance of making the right decsion.

[TriptreysNJ]

Originally Posted by Thinkerbell

Here's how I calculate pot odds:

First I study the pot. What kind of pot is it? Raku? Antique? Chinese? Does it go with my decor? If not, I immediately fold. How big is it? After all, I have to put it somewhere. Do I have room for it? (I already have a lot of pots.) How many other people want it? Do they want it more than I do?

I give all this consideration, and I give myself a 50-50 chance of making the right decsion.

LOL, you crack me up.

[Thinkerbell]

Stick with me and you're always gauranteed to have a good time. (Just see what's written in the bathroom of the local bars if you don't believe me.)

[ibanez272005]

Yeah your a very good poker player, To be a girl j/k

[Thinkerbell]

thanks!
Remember that when I've gone all in against you!