Now we need to figure out the likelihood of making our hand by the turn. So we know we need to win at least 28.5% of the time to break even with our call. We’re calling $20 into a $30 pot, so let’s see how that looks in our equation: Do we have the right odds to call? Let’s take a look.įirst, we need to figure out our pot odds. In our first example, we’re on the flop with 4 ♥3 ♥ and a board of 2♣5♠9 ♦. Use your new arsenal of poker odds expertise and start winning money at Bovada! Play Now EXAMPLES OF CORRECT AND INCORRECT POT ODDS Profitable Pot Odds So, in essence, you are doing the calculations as if you were the only person at the table – in that case, there are 9 spades left in the deck. That knowledge is your pocket cards and the cards on the table. However, in most situations you do not know what your opponents hold, so you can only calculate odds with the knowledge that is available to you. If you know for sure that someone else is holding a spade, then you will have to count that against your total number of outs. The quick amongst you might be wondering “But what if someone else is holding a spade, doesn’t that decrease my number of outs?”. This means you have 9 outs to complete your flush – but not necessarily the best hand! Usually, you want your outs to count toward a nut (best hand) draw, but this is not always possible. If you hold and there are two spades on the flop, there are 9 more spades in the deck (since there are 13 cards of each suit). An out is defined as a card in the deck that helps you make your hand.

To calculate your hand odds, you first need to know how many outs your hand has. In that case, you can work out how many cards will give you the best hand and calculate the odds of any of those cards appearing. So, now that we can determine the probability of any card coming on the flop, turn, or river, how can we use that information? Well, knowing this math is particularly useful when working out your likelihood of making a draw.įor example, suppose you have a hand like a flush draw or a straight draw. 8 total outs.įlush Draw: Having two cards to a suit with two suits already on the flop. Open Straight Draw: When you have two ways to complete a straight. Inside Straight Draw (aka ‘Gutshot’): When you have one way to complete a straight. Overcard Draw: When you have a card above the flop. Backdoor: A straight or flush draw where you need two cards to help your hand out.

How to calculate hand equity in poker