Poker Strategies

One of the most common misconceptions in Texas Holdem is that you must be match-inclined so that you can figure out pot odds and drawing odds calculations. Yes, a lot of people out there are not math brainiacs. But it does not take a genius to learn poker math. There is a simpler way of figuring out pot odds using simple multiplication and division that are almost as effective as those requiring advanced poker math. This is the 4-2 method.

First, you need to learn how many outs you have. This is the number of Holdem poker cards in the deck that may help you win your hand. For example, you have a holding of A-10 of clubs. When the flop falls Jc-9c-8h, how many outs do you think you have? But since you have an open-ended straight draw and a nut flush draw, you still have to ask yourself: what do you think will win? A good chance is that an ace will hit the board, then you win your hand with a 5 card draw. So this means now that you have 9 clubs, all queens, all sevens, and all the remaining aces. Calculate it this way: 9+4+4+3 = 20. But this way you are counting 2 of your outs twice because Qc and 7c are part of the 9 outs for your flush. Take that into account and you end up with a total of 18 outs to hit your hand.

The next step is calculating the percentage or odds of you hitting your Poker hand. On the flop, multiply the number of outs by 4 and then add 2 to the result. Let’s take our previous example. In this case, your result will be 18×4 = 72+2 = 74. This is by how much chance you have of hitting your hand by the river. If you are at the turn, take your number of outs and then multiply it by 2. And then you add 1 to the result. Our previous example will compute as 18×2 = 36+1 = 37. You have a 37% chance of winning your hand by the river from the turn.

The next part may be a little tricky to some: you must compute the percentage of the pot you must call when facing a bet. You are on the flop and there is $75 in the pot and you have the same cards as what we illustrated above and then your opponent bets $50. You must compute for what percentage of the pot you must call so that you can continue? First, consider what the current amount of the pot is. Let’s say it is at $125 when it comes to you. This is now the original pot size plus the bet your opponent placed. Your call must be included in the pot so that you can proceed with the calculation. Divide 50 by the pot size. In our example, this will be 50/175. The result (.285) is your decimal percentage. Move the decimal over two places and you come up with a percentage of 28.5%.

The next part is simple. In the example we gave above, you know that on the flop you have a 74% chance of hitting your hand by the river. On the turn, your percentage is at 37%. On the flop, your call is 28.5% of the pot. Next you need to know what odds are in your favor to make a call. If your call percentage is equal to or less than the percentage to hit your hand, then the odds are in your favor. In the example above, you have the odds to make the call. If the flop is checked and a bet of $100 is made at the turn, your percentage will be at 37% while your bet is equal to 44.4% of the pot. Here, the odds are against you.

The 4-2 method makes calculating percentages and pot odds simpler and easier. With enough practice, you will find this becoming a natural part of your Poker Games.