Texas Hold'em Odds

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Basic Definitions for Probability & Odds

Odds - the mathematical representation of how many times out of a total number of instances a specific event will not occur. For example, the odds are 10 to 1 against a certain event.

Probability - this is usually expressed as a percentage and also a numerical value that tells you how many times out of a total number of times that an event will occur. For instance, a certain event occurs 10% of the time or occurs once in 50 attempts.

Pot Odds - the mathematical relationship between the current pot to the current bet. If the total pot is $100 and you face a bet of $20, your pot odds are 100 divided by 20 or five to one.

Implied Pot Odds - the mathematical relationship between the current pot and the bets you expect to win to the current bet. If the pot is $80 and you expect to win $20 on the turn and $20 on the river, your implied odds are six to one when faced with a $20 bet.

Out - a card that improves your hand.

Counterfeited Out - the instance when a card improves your hand, but gives your opponent an even better hand than yours.

Discounted Out - an out that you disregard whenever there is a chance that you could improve, but still lose the hand.

Drawing Dead - when you cannot improve to the winning hand.

Calculating Basic Texas Hold'em Odds/Probabilities You should make odds decisions one street at a time. Here is a recommended sequence for utilizing odds at a poker table:

1. Determine the number of discounted outs.

2. Calculate the pot odds.

3. Calculate the implied pot odds.

4. Look at the relationship between the implied pot odds to the odds against improving your hand.

5. Make a decision on what would be the best strategy based on the above.

Odds Calculations - Determining the odds against improving your hand on the next card is found by dividing the total number of cards that will not help you by the number of outs that will. For example, you hold a 7 and 6 of clubs and the flop is showing an Ace of hearts, a ten of clubs, and a 5 of clubs. At this point, there are 47 cards that you can't see. There are 9 outs that will improve your hand to a flush and 38 cards that will not help you at all. So, 38 divided by 9 gives you a 4.2 to 1 odds against improving to a flush. The probability of improving your hand to a flush is determined by dividing the number of outs - in this case 9 - by 38. In this case, the probability is approximately 24%.

Below is a chart of essential odds already calculated for you. Click here for our larger Hold'em Probability Chart.

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