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Texas Holdem Pot Odds
What are Pot Odds and what should you know about them?
Well, Pot Odds is the ratio of what is already in the pot to the amount
you would have to bet to stay in the hand. So, if there are $36 in
the pot, and you would need to bet $6 to stay in the hand, the pot
odds are 36 to 6, or 6 to 1.
Why would you need to know this?
One example of using pot odds is when your hand is not yet the best
hand at the table, but it could be if the right card comes up next.
For instance, with four cards on the board you hold four clubs. The
odds of completing the flush on the river are roughly 5 to 1 against
you. That means for you to bet there should be at least five times
the bet amount in the pot. If the bet to you is $2, then there should
be at least $10 in the pot to make it worth calling.
Suppose there were $24 in the pot when you were making that decision.
The odds of landing that club and getting the best hand at the table
were 5 to 1. The pot would pay you 12 to 1 on your bet. That makes
calling the bet the right decision to make. You may not land your
club and win the hand, but over the long run playing this way will
be to your advantage.
Another instance of using pot odds is after the river, when the final
bet comes to you. If the pot holds $40, and the bet in front of you
is $4, you can use pot odds to decide what to do. The pot is laying
you Ten to One odds. ($40 against your $4 bet). Even though you feel
your opponent may have the better hand, do you think he is ten times
more likely to have a better hand? If so, fold. If not, call the bet
and see his cards.
There are plenty of times at the poker table when you will be asking
yourself, "Is it worth staying in this hand?". Being able
to use pot odds will help you answer that question correctly more
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