Pot Odds Calculator
Calculate poker pot odds, equity from outs, and determine if a call is profitable (+EV or -EV) with the 2x and 4x rule.
Pot Odds Inputs
Calculate Your Pot Odds
Enter the pot size and bet to call, then select your draw type or enter your outs to see if calling is profitable.
Quick Outs Reference
| Draw Type | Outs | Flop (x4) | Turn (x2) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush Draw | 9 | 35% | 18% |
| Open-Ended Straight | 8 | 31% | 17% |
| Two Overcards | 6 | 24% | 13% |
| Gutshot Straight | 4 | 17% | 9% |
| Set (Pocket Pair) | 2 | 8% | 4% |
| Flush + OESD | 15 | 54% | 33% |
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About This Calculator
"Should I call this bet?" It is the single most important question in poker, and most players answer it with gut instinct rather than mathematics. Professional poker players win not because they get better cards, but because they understand pot odds - the relationship between the size of the pot and the size of the bet. This calculator transforms complex poker math into simple yes-or-no decisions.
Pot odds tell you the minimum equity (chance of winning) you need to make a call profitable. If you need 25% equity to call and your flush draw gives you 35% equity, calling is mathematically correct - even if you lose this particular hand. This is the foundation of expected value (EV) thinking that separates winning players from losing ones. Our calculator instantly computes pot odds, converts outs to equity using the Rule of 2 and 4, and tells you whether your call is +EV (profitable long-term) or -EV (losing long-term).
Whether you are playing Texas Holdem cash games, tournaments, Omaha, or any other poker variant, understanding pot odds is non-negotiable if you want to win consistently. The math does not lie, and this calculator does the math for you.
How to Use the Pot Odds Calculator
- 1**Enter the current pot size**: Input the total amount already in the pot before the current bet.
- 2**Enter the bet to call**: Input the amount your opponent has bet that you need to call.
- 3**Review your pot odds**: See your pot odds expressed as both a percentage and a ratio.
- 4**Enter your outs or select a draw type**: Choose from common draws or enter custom outs.
- 5**Compare equity to pot odds**: The calculator shows if calling is +EV or -EV.
- 6**Consider implied odds**: Factor in additional bets you might win if you hit your draw.
- 7**Make your decision**: Call if your equity exceeds the required pot odds percentage.
Formula
Pot Odds % = Bet to Call / (Pot + Bet to Call) x 100This formula calculates the percentage of the final pot you are contributing with your call. If the pot is $100 and you must call $25, you are putting $25 into a final pot of $125, which equals 20%. This 20% is your "required equity" - the minimum win percentage needed to break even. Compare this to your actual equity (estimated from outs using the Rule of 2 and 4) to make profitable decisions.
Understanding Pot Odds: The Foundation of Poker Math
What Are Pot Odds?
Pot odds represent the ratio between the current pot size and the cost of a contemplated call. They answer a simple question: "What percentage of the pot am I investing with this call?"
The Formula:
Pot Odds % = Bet to Call / (Pot + Bet to Call) x 100
Example:
- Pot size: $100
- Bet to call: $25
- Pot odds = $25 / ($100 + $25) = 25 / 125 = 20%
This means you need to win at least 20% of the time to break even on this call.
Pot Odds as a Ratio:
Many players prefer expressing pot odds as a ratio:
Ratio = (Pot + Bet to Call) : Bet to Call
Using the same example:
- Ratio = $125 : $25 = 5:1
This means you are getting "5 to 1" on your call - for every $1 you risk, you stand to win $5.
Quick Reference Table:
| Pot Odds Ratio | Pot Odds % | Required Equity |
|---|---|---|
| 2:1 | 33.3% | 33.3% |
| 3:1 | 25.0% | 25.0% |
| 4:1 | 20.0% | 20.0% |
| 5:1 | 16.7% | 16.7% |
| 6:1 | 14.3% | 14.3% |
| 7:1 | 12.5% | 12.5% |
| 8:1 | 11.1% | 11.1% |
| 10:1 | 9.1% | 9.1% |
Converting Outs to Equity: The Rule of 2 and 4
What Are Outs?
Outs are the cards remaining in the deck that will improve your hand to a likely winner. Counting outs accurately is the first step in calculating your equity.
The Rule of 2 and 4 (Quick Equity Estimation):
- Rule of 4: Multiply outs by 4 when you have two cards to come (flop to river)
- Rule of 2: Multiply outs by 2 when you have one card to come (turn to river)
Common Draw Outs:
| Draw Type | Outs | Rule of 4 (Flop) | Rule of 2 (Turn) | Actual % (2 cards) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flush draw | 9 | 36% | 18% | 35.0% |
| Open-ended straight | 8 | 32% | 16% | 31.5% |
| Gutshot straight | 4 | 16% | 8% | 16.5% |
| Two overcards | 6 | 24% | 12% | 24.1% |
| Set (pocket pair) | 2 | 8% | 4% | 8.4% |
| Flush + open-ended | 15 | 60% | 30% | 54.1% |
| Flush + gutshot | 12 | 48% | 24% | 45.0% |
| One overcard | 3 | 12% | 6% | 12.5% |
Why the Rule Works:
With 47 unknown cards on the flop (52 - 2 hole - 3 board):
- Each out represents approximately 2.13% equity per card (1/47)
- Two cards to come: ~4.26% per out (4x is close)
- One card to come: ~2.13% per out (2x is close)
The rule slightly overestimates with many outs but is accurate enough for quick decisions.
Precise Equity Formula:
For exact calculations:
One card to come: Equity = Outs / 46
Two cards to come: Equity = 1 - ((47-Outs)/47 x (46-Outs)/46)
Making the Call: +EV vs -EV Decisions
The Golden Rule:
If your equity exceeds the pot odds percentage, calling is profitable (+EV). If your equity is less than the pot odds percentage, calling is unprofitable (-EV).
+EV Example (Good Call):
- Pot: $100, Bet to call: $20
- Pot odds: $20 / $120 = 16.7%
- Your hand: Flush draw (9 outs)
- Your equity on flop: 35%
Decision: CALL - Your 35% equity far exceeds the 16.7% needed.
Even if you lose this particular hand, making this call repeatedly will profit long-term.
-EV Example (Bad Call):
- Pot: $50, Bet to call: $50
- Pot odds: $50 / $100 = 50%
- Your hand: Gutshot straight draw (4 outs)
- Your equity: 16.5%
Decision: FOLD - Your 16.5% equity is far below the 50% needed.
Calling here loses money over time, even if you occasionally hit.
Break-Even Analysis:
At break-even, your equity equals your pot odds:
| Your Equity | Minimum Pot Odds Ratio Needed |
|---|---|
| 35% (flush draw) | 1.86:1 |
| 32% (OESD) | 2.13:1 |
| 20% | 4:1 |
| 16% (gutshot) | 5.25:1 |
| 10% | 9:1 |
If the pot offers better than these ratios, call. If worse, fold.
Implied Odds: Looking Beyond the Current Pot
What Are Implied Odds?
Implied odds account for additional money you expect to win on future streets if you hit your draw. They justify calls that pure pot odds would reject.
When to Use Implied Odds:
- Deep stacks: More money behind means more potential winnings
- Hidden draws: Draws opponents cannot see coming
- Aggressive opponents: Players who will pay off your made hand
- Position: Acting last lets you extract maximum value
Calculating Implied Odds:
Required Win = (Bet to Call / Your Equity) - Current Pot
Example:
- Pot: $40, Bet to call: $20
- Pure pot odds: 33.3%
- You have: Gutshot (4 outs, ~16% equity on turn)
Required additional winnings: = ($20 / 0.16) - $60 = $125 - $60 = $65 more needed
If you expect to win $65+ more when you hit, the call becomes profitable.
Implied Odds Multiplier:
A quick way to assess implied odds:
| Draw | Pot Odds Needed | With Good Implied | With Great Implied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flush draw | 2:1 | Can call up to 3:1 | Can call up to 4:1 |
| OESD | 2.5:1 | Can call up to 4:1 | Can call up to 5:1 |
| Gutshot | 5:1 | Can call up to 8:1 | Can call up to 12:1 |
Reverse Implied Odds:
Sometimes hitting your draw still loses:
- Dominated draws: Your flush loses to higher flush
- Obvious boards: Opponents fold when scare card hits
- Weak holdings: You make your hand but face aggression
Factor in the probability of winning WHEN you hit, not just the probability of hitting.
Expected Value (EV) Calculation in Poker
What Is Expected Value?
Expected Value (EV) is the average amount you win or lose per decision over the long run. Positive EV (+EV) decisions profit over time; negative EV (-EV) decisions lose.
The EV Formula:
EV = (Win% x Amount Won) - (Lose% x Amount Lost)
Detailed EV Calculation:
Scenario:
- Pot: $100
- Bet to call: $50
- Your equity: 40% (flush draw + overcard)
Calculation:
- If you call and win: You gain $150 (pot + opponent's bet)
- If you call and lose: You lose $50
EV = (0.40 x $150) - (0.60 x $50)
EV = $60 - $30 = **+$30**
This call has an expected value of +$30. Every time you make this call, you profit $30 on average.
EV Decision Matrix:
| Your Equity | Pot Odds | EV per $100 Call |
|---|---|---|
| 50% | 25% | +$100 |
| 40% | 25% | +$60 |
| 30% | 25% | +$20 |
| 25% | 25% | $0 (break-even) |
| 20% | 25% | -$20 |
| 15% | 25% | -$40 |
Long-Term Thinking:
The key insight: You do not need to win individual hands to profit. You need to make +EV decisions consistently.
If you call with +$30 EV 100 times:
- Expected profit: +$3,000
This is true even if you run badly and only win 35% instead of 40% in a small sample.
Common Poker Drawing Scenarios
Flush Draw (9 outs)
You hold two hearts, and two hearts are on the board.
- Flop equity (2 cards to come): 35.0%
- Turn equity (1 card to come): 19.6%
- Minimum pot odds to call on flop: 1.86:1 (35%)
- Minimum pot odds to call on turn: 4:1 (20%)
Typical situation: You should usually call flop bets up to pot-sized if you have position and implied odds.
Open-Ended Straight Draw (8 outs)
You hold 7-8, board shows 5-6-K.
- Flop equity: 31.5%
- Turn equity: 17.4%
- Minimum pot odds to call on flop: 2.17:1 (31%)
- Minimum pot odds to call on turn: 4.7:1 (17%)
Gutshot Straight Draw (4 outs)
You hold A-K, board shows Q-J-3.
- Flop equity: 16.5%
- Turn equity: 8.7%
- Minimum pot odds to call on flop: 5:1 (17%)
- Minimum pot odds to call on turn: 10.5:1 (9%)
Note: Gutshots need excellent implied odds or very good pot odds.
Combo Draws (15 outs)
Flush draw + open-ended straight draw
- Flop equity: 54.1%
- Turn equity: 32.6%
These monster draws are often favorites against made hands. Consider raising for value and fold equity.
Two Overcards (6 outs)
You hold A-K, board shows 7-4-2.
- Flop equity: 24.1%
- Turn equity: 13.0%
Caution: Overcard equity is often overestimated. Your ace or king might give opponent two pair or trips.
Advanced Pot Odds Concepts
Stack-to-Pot Ratio (SPR)
SPR helps determine if you can profitably chase draws:
SPR = Effective Stack / Pot Size
| SPR | Implications |
|---|---|
| < 4 | Commit with top pair or better |
| 4-10 | Standard play, draws playable |
| 10+ | Deep-stacked, implied odds matter most |
With low SPR, you often cannot realize your equity profitably.
Multi-Way Pots
More players = better pot odds but more danger:
Advantages:
- Bigger pot, better odds
- Multiple opponents might pay off
Disadvantages:
- Someone more likely to have strong hand
- Your draw outs may be in opponents hands
- Harder to bluff if you miss
Adjustment: Reduce your out count by 1-2 for "dirty outs" in multi-way pots.
Position and Pot Odds
Position affects how profitably you can use pot odds:
In Position (Acting Last):
- See opponent actions before deciding
- Control pot size on future streets
- Extract maximum when you hit
- Better implied odds
Out of Position:
- Must act blindly
- Harder to protect draws
- Worse implied odds
- Face more difficult decisions
Fold Equity
Sometimes your equity includes fold equity - the chance opponent folds to aggression:
Total Equity = Card Equity + (Fold Equity x Amount Won)
If you have 30% card equity and 20% fold equity on a semi-bluff: Effective equity approaches 44-50%.
This is why semi-bluffing with draws is often superior to calling.
Pro Tips
- 💡Memorize common pot odds: half-pot bet = 3:1 (25%), pot-sized bet = 2:1 (33%), 2/3 pot bet = 2.5:1 (28%).
- 💡Use the Rule of 4 on the flop and Rule of 2 on the turn to quickly convert outs to equity percentage.
- 💡Compare your equity to pot odds: if equity > pot odds %, call; if equity < pot odds %, fold.
- 💡Factor in implied odds when you have position, deep stacks, and disguised draws.
- 💡Reduce your out count by 1-2 in multi-way pots for "dirty outs" that might help opponents.
- 💡Consider fold equity with semi-bluffs - raising can be more profitable than calling with draws.
- 💡Position dramatically affects implied odds: in position, you can call slightly wider.
- 💡Do not chase gutshots without getting at least 5:1 direct pot odds or excellent implied odds.
- 💡Remember that pot odds decisions are long-term - do not results-orient based on one hand.
- 💡When unsure, fold marginal spots - waiting for better opportunities preserves your stack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pot odds are the ratio of the current pot size to the cost of a call, expressed as a percentage or ratio. They tell you what percentage of the time you need to win to break even on a call. For example, if the pot is $100 and you must call $25, your pot odds are 25/(100+25) = 20%. This means you need at least 20% equity (chance of winning) to make calling profitable. Pot odds are the foundation of mathematical poker decision-making.