How to use it
Enter three numbers. The pot as it stood before your opponent bet, the size of their bet, and the amount you have to put in to call. Usually the last two match. They differ when you already have chips in, for example when you bet $20 and got raised to $80, so calling costs you $60.
The calculator gives you two things: the equity you need, as a percentage, and the price you're getting, as a ratio like 3-to-1.
Now compare that with your hand. Say you hold A♥5♥ on a K♥9♥2♣ board with one card to come. You have 9 hearts for the nut flush out of 46 unseen cards, about 19.6%. Against a 25% price, that's a fold unless you expect to win more on the river when you hit. With two cards to come the same draw is about 35%, which clears 25% easily. The outs and equity helper gives you those numbers.
The formula
required equity = your call ÷ (pot before bet + their bet + your call)
A few prices are worth memorising, because live you won't have time to type:
- Half-pot bet: you need 25%.
- Two-thirds pot: about 28.6%.
- Pot-size bet: about 33.3%.
- Double the pot: 40%.
Pot odds aren't the whole decision
The number is a break-even line before anything else happens. Real hands have more going on. Out of position you'll often fail to get your full equity because you face another bet on the next street. A draw to a small flush can hit and still lose. On the other hand, a disguised draw can win a big pot when it gets there, which is where implied odds come in. Rake takes a slice of live pots, and in tournaments your stack and the payout jumps change what a chip is worth. Use pot odds as your starting point, then adjust.
For the full walk-through, read the pot odds guide, then equity and draws and outs.
Pot odds FAQ
How do you calculate pot odds in poker?
Divide what you have to call by the total pot after your call. If the pot is $100 and someone bets $50, you call $50 into a $200 pot, so you need 25% equity.
What's the difference between pot odds and implied odds?
Pot odds only count the money already in the pot. Implied odds add the money you expect to win on later streets when you hit, which is why some draws are fine calls even when the current price is a little short.
Should I always call when my equity beats my pot odds?
Not always. It's a good sign, but position, the chance of facing another bet, rake and reverse implied odds can turn a close call into a fold. Raising can also be better than calling.