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Yes it is true that calculating odds can be so simple. However, depending on the player’s ability and wit, it can also be so difficult and complicated.

Calculating odds is mainly about knowing your chances of winning a hand. But a number of things are involved when calculating odds – computing pot odds, working out the possible cards in the hands of the opponents, and getting to know the number of outs.

When troubles arise in relation to calculating odds, seeking help from a poker odds software can be so significant. The Holdem Genius software is worth trying out. It is one of the most famous and most effective poker odds softwares at present. It will help you in your every game by calculating pot odds based on how many players remaining and by giving out insights and suggestions on the best possible moves. When it is your time to act, it will give you some hints on how you should suppose to act. With Holdem Genius, you’d surely have a personal coach beside you in your every game.

There are some other pot odds softwares that could really help. There is the Texas Calculatem which is like Holdem Genius, can serve as your personal coach. However, its main strength is on calculating drawing odds which is actually essential when ascertaining which cards are still in the hands of the dealer or in the hands of other players at the poker table. Well, knowing the drawing odds is also helpful as you can get ideas on how you should play as the game continues. Good thing, right now there is a new version of Texas Calculatem which is more helpful and more effective. It can already calculate pot odds and also can give vital details on winning probabilities and similar stuff.

In Texas Holdem, to be able to make the right action you should have the knowledge on how to do some simple mathematical calculations like calculation of pot odds. For an instance, you need to have an extra card to get your hand and to do this you need to know how much is the pot offering and compare it to the amount you have to pay. Nonetheless, this would mean that you must have the knowledge on how to calculate the pot odds.

To start out, you must know some basic terms like outs, odds, and pot odds. First, understand what an out is. Well, basically, it is any unseen card which if drawn, will improve a hand of a player who is likely to win. Then next, understand the odds of getting one of the outs. This is actually not complicated as to get the odds of getting one of the outs, you just have to divide the number of outs by the number of cards you haven’t seen yet. And finally, understand the pot odds role in being able to make right decision. Pot odds are the ratio of the present size of the pot to the cost of a call to be made. If pot odds can be calculated correctly, player can ascertain if the pot is big enough to be called say for an instance when a certain hand should be improved to win. For better understanding, consider the situation wherein the pot is $100 and after the Turn, your opponent bets $50. Then say to win $150 you need to pay $50. On your call, you get 3 to 1 odds.

Being able to do some simple mathematical calculations won’t be that simple but with much patience, in time you’ll surely get the hang of it.

Hello,

My apologies if this was already asked before, when should I hold ‘em and when should I fold’ em, after the flop? I believe you once discussed about when to fold but it’s a bit far from what I want to know.

Now, say I have a low wired pair and I don’t hit another on the flop, do you think I should still draw through the turn and river? And in case I have suited connectors and get two more suited on flop, draw as well through the turn and river? Or if not just fold?

Another thing, about the pot odds, is it actually the only determining factor of when to fold? And can you please give me more examples about what you are trying to imply when you discuss the pot value in correlation to your percent chance of hitting based off of outs in pot odds? It will be much appreciated.

By the way, your site is so great and helpful. Thanks a ton!

All the best,
Kent
Kent,

When you have a small pair and miss the flop, it is time to get out unless the bet is really small or there is a lot of money in the pot. As far as drawing to the flush, if you have pot odds to call then you can draw to the flush, otherwise, get out.

When you are figuring pot odds, first you need to figure out the percentage of hitting your hand. That is done on the flop by multiplying your outs by 4 and if you are on the turn, you multiply your outs by 2. This gives you the odds that you will hit your hand. To figure out pot size percentage, divide the amount of your potential call by the amount of the pot before your call. This will give the percentage of the pot you need to call. If the percentage of hitting your hand is greater than or equal to the percentage of the pot that you need to call, you had pot odds to hit your hand.

Hi there!

I would just like to ask something. Do you know when one should call with middle pair? Well for a number of times, I’ve seen players win with middle pairs not improved and middle pair which improves to two pairs. Should I consider outs and pot odds here?

Please help me. Thanks a lot!

Best regards,
Alastair
Alastair,

Pot odds should definitely be considered when calling with middle pair, but also the type of player you are playing. I am folding middle pair to a tight play, I am probably calling down against a loose or weak player.

Hello,

I’m 38 yrs. old and have been playing poker for months now. I was not that interested with the game but since I received an open invitation to join a weekly poker group I then became a bit interested. The guys were very willing to teach me then, they were so kind. Well with the patience and hard work of those guys, I was able to understand some of the basics of poker and then later joined real games. However I was a weak tight type then. Online, I was a bit okay but in real games, a disaster. Normally, I’d get pushed out of the pot, typically with a bluff; or 2-everyone would fold and then wouldn’t get any action on the hand.

Just recently, I saw your site and started reading some stuff. I then discovered I have lots of things to work out on but I just decided later to have one at a time.

I tried first to treat my raise-o-phobia. Luckily, in a certain game, I was able to re-raise a bluff to take down the pot and also flipped my cards over for others to see I had nothing. I also ended up being on the third spot.

Next I worked out on was my position play and my being the initiator. I entered a 27 person online tournament and fortunately had made it to heads up.

Well, I also wanted to drastically reduce my limp in’s and checks so I tried once if I could do it. I won a lot of pots without going to a showdown. And the hands I lost weren’t that significant as players then just called me instead of betting or raising.

Now, I’m more on being the aggressor and I believe it’s far better. My bluffs, traps, big pairs and even my losing hands are all much better. All points to my advantage. But I’m now bothered, I might return to my old ways, my old approach. Any tips?

Many thanks,
Lexis
Lexis,

Continue to work on your game and use the tools that you have developed to your advantage. Also, continue to work on new tricks and skills to help you get further in tournaments and to take them down. Work more on blind stealing and also on things such as playing small pot poker, table image, and pot odds. The more you learn, the better player you will become.

Hello,

I’m now into trouble as I don’t know how should I exactly play my cards. I typically play once or twice a week along with some close friends. Well, we all love to buy in to a five dollar tourney as we always get a whole lot of fun doing so.

One time I tried to place in twice. I know I was far better than my friends so I was confident. I decided to slow play. But I was bothered as I know I’m not good at bluffing ever since. Every time I try my friends call or raise to hurt me. And because of this, I just end up chasing and chasing lots of cards to both turn and river, typically flush and straight draws.

As of the moment, we are planning to host a huge tourney, buy in will be $20. Of course I don’t want to lose if in case. So I’m wondering if you have any exercise in mind that you think would be perfect for me. Is there any?

Thanks in advance.

All the best,
Matthew
Matthew,

First, tighten up your hand requirements a bit. Don’t chase flush draws and straight draws unless you have proper odds. If you do not understand what I mean, do some research on pot odds. Also, study up about playing hands in position. Later in the tournament, find spots to steal blinds from the weaker players at the table to help keep your stack healthy.

Another thing you may want to do is play more poker online to give yourself more tournament experience. This way you can work on your game and not rely on your weekly home game.