Pot odds explained

The fraction

Required equity = amount to call ÷ (pot after you call). Equivalently: call / (current pot + call). A half-pot bet asks about 25%. A pot-sized bet asks about 33%. An overbet asks more. You then compare that number to your equity — how often you win if all the cards come out.

From outs to equity

On the flop, a flush draw has nine outs. The rule of 4: 9 × 4 ≈ 36% equity to the river if you get both cards. The rule of 2: 9 × 2 ≈ 18% if you only see the next card. Those are approximations; the Labs pot-odds drill exists so the exact reflex replaces the approximation. A 36% draw is a call against a half-pot bet and a fold against a huge overbet — unless implied odds say you will win more when you hit.

Implied odds and reverse implied odds

Implied odds: you will win extra bets on later streets when you get there, so you can call a little worse than pot odds. Reverse implied odds: you will lose extra bets when you hit and are still behind (the obvious flush vs a higher flush). Draws to the nuts have implied odds. Draws to second-best have reverse implied odds. That distinction is most of 'poker feel' that is actually math.

• Price the call first, then ask whether your draw is nutted
• Do not count outs that put a worse flush or a paired board that kills you
• Fold equity (the chance they fold to a raise) is a separate number — do not mix it into pot odds