Tilted Donkey's Pot Size Rule

Introduction: Odds and Holdem

Outs and Draws (and the magical rule of four)

Odds and Wagers

Tilted Donkey's Pot Size Rule of Calling

Important Calling Examples

Betting and Raising

Wonders of Betting and Raising

Making Estimates

General Points

Rules of Thumb for Drawing

This is "a rule of thumb" -- it is expressed in a way that you can do the math easily in your head.

Tilted Donkey's Pot Size Rule

For any call, to break even on that call you need a pot of the appropriate size.

the size of the pot needed

= (100 times the size of the call) divided by (chances of winning the pot)

Thus, if the actual pot is bigger than this value, then you should call.

For example

You need to make a call of $2. The pot is $9. You believe you have a 40% chance of winning. Is a call worthwhile? That depends on whether the pot is big enough to justify the wager.

the size of the pot needed

=(100 times the size of the call) divided by (chances of winning the pot)

=(100 * $2) / 40

= $200/40 = $5

Thus, you need a pot of at least $5 to make your call worthwhile! The actual pot is $9 so the call is justified.

Check out the power of this rule with these Important Examples.