Need help with no limit poker odds...?

Question

i'm reading a poker book and it reads " anyone drawing to a flush won't be getting the right odds to call. They'll need 4 to 1 odds but they'll be getting only a little over 2 to 1."

now...what does it mean by this? is it always better to have higher odds 4,5,6,7 to1 instead of lower odds...i really don't get this example. why won't he be getting the right odds?

Answer 1

Check out these threads:

http://www.pokergob.com/forums/showthrea...

http://www.pokergob.com/pokermath

Answer 2

Just from that sentence it's hard to tell, but it sounds like the bet is basically charging its opponent 2:1 to call, which means if someone is drawing to a flush, they're not getting the right odds to call.

There are two odds to consider when playing poker: pot odds and "hand" odds.

Pot odds are the odds that you are getting to call a bet in relation to the size of the pot.

For instance, if the pot has $10 in it already and there is a bet to you for $5, the pot odds are 4 to 1. ($10 already in the pot + $5 bet + $5 if you call, divided by $5 (your call)).

The hand odds are important if you feel you are behind in the hand.  They are calculated by counting your "outs" (cards that are potentially still in the deck that could improve the strength of your hand) and dividing that amount by 50 (the approximate number of unknown cards left in the deck).  This gives you your hand odds.  So, if you have 2 spades in your hand and there are 2 spades on the flop, there are 9 spades left that will help you.  9x2 = 18%.  However, on the flop, you still have the turn AND river to help you, giving you 18% twice for a total of 36% (9x4) (or about 2.5:1).  However, if the turn card doesn't help you, you only have one chance for a total of 18% (or approximately 5:1).  Hence, the 4/2 rule (on the flop, outs x 4 = % chance of hitting a helpful card by the river; on the turn, outs x 2 = % chance of hitting a helpful card by the river).  Watch out; a turn card may not give you a stronger hand, but it may give you extra outs.  For instance, if you have Jh9h with a flop of Th 2h 4d, you have approximately 12 outs (9 hearts and 3 jacks).  However, if you get an 8 on the turn, you now have 6 additional outs (any 7 or Q will give you a straight).  This increases your chances of hitting a winning hand by about 15%.

So, let's say you have that flush draw on the flop, pot is $20 and the bet is $4.  Is it worth a call?

Yes.  Pot odds are 7:1 ($4 into $28) and your hand odds are better than 3:1.

Why is this worth it?  Run this scenario 6 times.  On average, you will win twice.

2 $28 pots (that you win)= +$56

4 $4 bets (that you lose)= -$8

Total: +$48

This is called a positive expected value (often seen as EV+).  The scenario isn't entirely this simple (you may earn more money if you hit your flush on the turn; you may lose more money calling another bet on the turn if you miss, etc), but basically, this is a winning play.

Now, if you have just one overcard in the same situation ($20 pot, $4 bet), is it worth a call?  Generally speaking, no.  Why?

7:1 pot odds

One overcard means 3 outs.  3x4: 12%, or approx. 8:1.  You're not going to win in this situation enough times to make it worthwhile.

To answer your final question, it's better to have higher HAND odds and lower POT odds.  Transversely, if you see potential scare cards on the board, it's a good idea to NOT give your opponent good pot odds.  This is why aggressive poker is winning poker.  If your opponent is drawing, more often than not, he'll miss, so make him pay to take a losing chance.

Answer 3

The quick and dirty answer here is that when they say you are getting 2 to 1 it means based upon what`s in the pot you`ll make twice the cost of calling when you win but the odds are 4 to 1 meaning it`s a losing proposition on balance.  You want the profit you`ll make on average with the play to be higher than the cost on average.  So in a real simplified look at this say it`s 3 to 1 that you`ll hit and win and it`s 10 bucks to call so you need to make more than 30 bucks when you win to make it profitable.  An easy way to determine this is look at the pot and if there`s 30 there now then do it.

King Cobra Poker

http://kingcobrapoker.com/

Answer 4

You are probably looking at pot odds or implied odds or something like that.  In order to make a call you should be getting the right amount of money offered in return should you win vs. the odds of your hand improving.  If you have 3-1 odds to improve your hand, and you will only be doubling your money if you bet and win, you are making a play that is not worth the risk.  3-1 to improve your hand is higher than the 2-1 on your money.  In that respect you should be at least tripling your bet to consider going in.   Search around the internet for pot odds for an in depth description to get a better understanding.  Also, I suggest the book Harrington on Hold em for a pretty in depth tutorial.