As you play Texas holdem there are many different forms of pot odds. Texas holdem is wont to have both pot odds, implied pot odds, and implied odds. Are these the same thing? No they are not. Pot odds are the odds a poker room charges you to play a hand in the flop, turn, and the river while implied pot odds are the odds you get on the turn after the flop when your playing a hand like full house, flush, or straight.

Below is a quick explanation of all 3 of these concepts.

Pot Odds are the odds a poker room charges you to play in any of the game rounds. On a $5 hand playing nothing but the flop you would be paid $5 for it, and 5:1 for what you could win. You could then calculate your pot odds and implied pot odds.

Implied Pot Odds are the odds you get on the turn after the flop when you have a strong hand. On the turn you could get a pot size bet of $10 or more if you have a lot of implied odds.

The term implied odds really gets thrown around a lot. What it means is that you didn’t bet the amount it costs to chase your draw. You’re implied odds are longer than your actual odds. You don’t have to be as costly as chasing a draw in order to turn a profit.

You need to be careful though, as implied odds do not adjust to what has already happened. Chasing a draw with your hand in the hole can be disastrous. Often you will have a draw all in hand when you could actually not win. beware of implied odds.

The third concept you should need to learn about is the concept of implied odds. This concept is about the effect that the pot size has on your implied odds. There are several factors that will adjust your implied odds. The size of the pot will affect your implied odds, the view may be even more so.

So suggestions, although not set in stone, and are subject to change depending on your skill level and the abilities of your opponents are to try to figure out how much to bet in relation to the pot size if you are chasing a draw. Also, you do not have to bet the size of the pot, just the pot itself.

There is no hard and fast rule here as to what your implied odds should be. Your implied odds are relative and dependent upon the pot size, your cards,and the game in general. Implied odds are usually a ratio. Though, they can be a distance as well. A lot of players will not think about this, however, if you put a little mental effort into calculating your implied odds you will be closer to moving the pots and giving your opponents less credit than you give them, believe me.

So, you want to know how to bet draw hands? Great starting point. Want to know how to bet like that? Great question. Let’s find out together.

Important Hand #1 – Good starting hand is king-high. Almost any hand better than king-high is playable in this situation, and will surprise your opponents if you call an all-in bet after the flop is revealed.

Important Hand #2 – Your door card is a card eight or higher.

Why is this? Well, typically you want to see more players in the pot because it raises the probability that you will be the one to raise. You can call an all-in bet with just about any two cards because you have a good shot at the best hand.

Important Hand #3 – The board is paired, and your hand is not damaged.

Why is this bad hand a bad hand? The most important thing that damage can do to your hand is to make it appear stronger than it is. With a small pair, you won’t often raise all-in because people will remember your name.

Important Hand #4 – Your chances of winning are better than someone with a better hand.

This is the hand you want to stay in the pot with if everyone else folded. If you are on the button, you want to make a minimum bet on the flop and turn so that you will be getting the last two players to act.

An acquaintance of mine would always say, “You have to bet preflop with pocket 2’s or pocket 7’s EVERY time unless you have the nuts.” Is he right?

Let’s forget about the “Pokerrepublik” phrase. Just about every poker professional, even the pros, lose money when they get good hands. It’s accursed to all of us. It’s our evil Twin. We curse the hand that we are dealt when we compete against the best.