In Poker, you should never make a decision based on “hope.” Every time you face a bet, it is a math problem. Pot Odds tell you the “price” the pot is offering you to stay in the hand.
Our Pot Odds Calculator compares the size of the pot against the size of the bet you need to call. It calculates the Required Equity—the percentage of time you need to win the hand to break even.
How to Use the Pot Odds Calculator
Use this tool whenever an opponent bets and you are deciding whether to Call or Fold.
- Current Pot Size ($): Enter the total money currently in the middle before you add your chips. Include the opponent’s bet in this number.
- Amount to Call ($): Enter exactly how much it costs you to match the bet.
- Analyze the Result:
- Pot Odds (Ratio): Displayed as X : 1. For example, 3:1 means for every $1 you bet, you win $3.
- Required Equity (%): This is the most important number. If the calculator says “25%”, your hand must have at least a 25% chance of winning to make the call profitable.
Example: The Flush Draw Decision
You are on the Turn holding two hearts. There are two hearts on the board. You need one more heart to make a Flush (which will likely win).
- The Pot: There is $100 in the middle.
- The Bet: Your opponent bets $50.
- Total Pot Now: $150.
- Cost to Call: $50.
The Math:
- You have to pay $50 to try and win a total pot of $200 ($150 existing + your $50).
- $50 / $200 = 0.25 (25%).
The calculator tells you that your Required Equity is 25%.
Now, you count your “Outs”. You have 9 hearts left in the deck. With one card to come (River), your chance of hitting is roughly 19%.
Conclusion: 19% (Actual Chance) < 25% (Required Chance). You should FOLD. Calling here is a mathematical error that will lose money over time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is “Equity” in poker?
Equity is your “share” of the pot based on the probability of your hand winning at a showdown. For example, if you have a 60% chance to win, you have 60% equity in the pot.
What are “Implied Odds”?
Pot odds calculate the immediate price. Implied odds take into account the future money you might win if you hit your hand. If the immediate pot odds are bad (like the example above), but you know your opponent will bet another $200 on the River if a heart comes, you might have the “Implied Odds” to call anyway.
What is the Rule of 4 and 2?
It is a shortcut to calculate equity. Count your “Outs” (cards that help you).
On the Flop: Multiply outs by 4. (e.g., 9 outs x 4 = 36% equity).
On the Turn: Multiply outs by 2. (e.g., 9 outs x 2 = 18% equity).