Pot Odds

Pot odds tell you the price you are paying to stay in the hand relative to what you can win. They are expressed as a percentage: the cost of your call divided by the total pot after you call.

If your chance of winning the hand (your equity) is greater than your pot odds, calling is profitable in the long run. This is the foundation of all profitable poker decisions.

The pot odds formula is straightforward. Divide the amount you need to call by the total pot size after your call. This gives you the minimum equity you need to make calling profitable.

Compare your pot odds to your hand equity. If your equity is higher than the pot odds percentage, you have a profitable call. If your equity is lower, folding saves you money over time.

For example, with a flush draw (roughly 35% equity from flop to river) and pot odds of 25%, calling is clearly profitable. You need to win 25% of the time but expect to win 35% — that 10% gap is your profit margin.