pot odds

A very important to know Pot Odds and what they mean. Not only should you know pot odds, but you must now how to calculate pot odds. This is actually one of the simplest mathematical equations in poker. Pot odds are really just the ratio of the amount of money in the pot compared to the amount of money you need to put into the pot to continue to play in the hand. So for example, if there is $200.00 in the Pot, and you must put in $20.00 to call a bet, then the pot odds ration is 10:1.

What makes the knowledge important is understading how many outs you have. For instance, if you're going to the river and need a suit to complete your flush then you know that there are 9 cards left in the deck that will make your flush. 9 outs, 46 cards left. You can see from that ratio that if you're getting 10:1 to make that $20 call, the odds a favorable for you to make the call.

To play good poker you must know your outs and know your pot odds.

I think you must factor in the amount of chips you have to invest compared to what you HAVE in your pocket also, if the call cost you "too much" of your money that should be factored in as well - For example if you have 40% chance of winning a big pot but if you lose you will be too low for next hands this must be factored in as well I think. Sometimes it is better to fold if you have limited outs to wait for the monster hand.

OK--There are 3 palyers outa 6 left--- theres alredy, say $200in the pot--player 1 bets $50--2 calls=$300 total-you being #3 can now bet $100 ($50 raise) giving you the better odds 'cuz yer payback is 3:1---NOW! You have A-7 Spadesn not really all that great, BUT flopped are the K spades-5 spades and say, 4 dmnds---you now have 9 outs to catch a spade on the turn or riv.--Now, take the 9 outs times the 2 cards to flip, multioly that (9x2)x2=a 36% chance of hitting yer nut flush! An' yer already at 3:1 odds in yer favour, depending on #1 an'#2 re-raising or folding or whatever they did---to much info for me all at once---BUT, already being 3:1 an' about the same to catch yer flush---makes the raise/re-raise the right move! (I think!?) Wassup, Dirty????

From my understanding, the effectiveness of pot odds decreases in tournaments play as oppose to cash games.

Well the calculation of pot odds becomes less meaningful in tournament plays. The reason? If you are 2nd biggest stack in a tournament going up against the chip leader (much larger than your stack), you want to err on the side of folding to large bets. Pot odds can be ignored to a small degree.

For example, you don't want to be going all in against the chip leader at the bubble when you could easily coast into some good money. Doubling up does not necessarily guarantee you will make more money at the end of the tournament, while getting knocked out guarantees that you make no money.

In most cases, however, pot odds will still be a good guide for tournaments. You want to focus less on the payouts and more on playing good poker to increase your chip stack. It's really only the idea of going all in that should be more scary in tournaments.