Pot odds and required equity

Section 1 of 7

Name each quantity

Pot odds are the price of calling: what you can win compared with what the call costs. To see them, start with the pot before the bet, add the opponent's bet (current pot) and add your call (final pot).

Formula

Required equity = call cost ÷ final pot

Example data

Pot before the bet: 10 BB
Opponent's bet: 5 BB

Step 1Current pot (before your call)10 BB + 5 BB = 15 BB
Step 2Call cost5 BB
Step 3Final pot if you call15 BB + 5 BB = 20 BB
Step 4Required equity5 BB ÷ 20 BB = 25%

Result

Required equity25%

Pot odds: 3 : 1
Final pot if you call: 20 BB

This is the minimum equity for calling to be profitable in the simplified chip-EV model. In a real tournament, future bets, stacks, ICM and bounties also matter.

Try this example in the calculator

Your turn

What is the current pot before your call?

Pot before the bet: 8 BB
Opponent's bet: 4 BB

Answer the exercise to continue.