Texas Holdem Strategy – Implied Odds

It takes a lot of calculating to be a winning Texas Hold’em player. If you want to be able to make correct decisions at the table, you need to know the percentages for different hands and situations. If you’re a rakeback player, you need to calculate approximately how much rakeback you will pay playing at different levels.

Odds calculations are important as well, and in this article we will focus on implied odds. An example: You are playing no limit Texas hold’em and hold your favorite hand, Jh Th. After the flop there is $100 in the pot and the board reads 8s 9c Ad.

Your opponent bets out $100. A quick calculation tells you that calling $100 to win a $200 pot means that you are getting pot odds of 2-to-1. Since your odds of making your straight on the next card are closer to 5-to-1, this seems a clear fold. But all may not be as it seems.

Implied Odds

If you call and a 7 comes on the turn, your opponent may bet out again, not suspecting you have hit your straight. Since the pot will be $400, it would be reasonable for him to bet $200.

Now your $100 bet on the turn may net you $400. If you then make a minimum raise or if you check and your opponent bets again you on the river, the pot may grow to $600 or more. Suddenly, your call on the flop may be correct after all.

Implied Odds Explained

In essence, implied odds are pot odds calculated by taking into consideration additional money that a player may win on later streets if he hits his hand. Even if the immediate pot does not appear to be laying the right odds, the implied odds might.

Using Implied Odds

It’s important that you do a cold, clinical assessment of your implied odds. Just because you make your flush doesn’t mean your opponent will call your all in bet.

However, if the pot is large enough, you can determine an amount that it might be reasonable to assume your opponent will call. Also, be very careful to look at stack sizes. Your opponent can’t give you implied odds if he doesn’t have the money to pay you off with!

As long as you use implied odds correctly, they can be a great guide in helping you make decisions. Err on the side of caution with implied odds, however. If a decision is close, implied odds can help. If you really should fold, don’t use implied odds to talk yourself into a bad call.

Yesterday, I should have folded with the low set on the board because I could have been hosed not only by JJ or 10 10 but by QK also.

I wish you all good luck.