Poker 101: Lesson 1 - Pot Odds for Donkeys -

What are pot odds? - by: @bigpchef

"Pot odds are defined as the ratio between the size of the pot and the bet facing you."- pokerschoolonline.com

Scenario 1:

To put that into play terms, let's say the pot is $10 - Donkey A leads out with a bet of $5, Donkey B calls the $5, and now the action is on Donkey C. What are Donkey C's pot odds?

In the most simplest terms, Donkey C's pot odds are 4 to 1. Why? Because in order to proceed with the hand, Donkey C must pay 1/4 of the pot. The original pot was $10, Donkey A adds $5, and Donkey B adds $5, bringing the total to $20. Donkey C must call a bet of $5, making that 1/4 of the $20 pot in turn making his pot odds 4 to 1. Which means Donkey C can win up to 4 times the money he puts into the pot on that bet.

Scenario 2:

Let's take the same example, but change a few details. Donkey A leads out with the same $5 bet, but this time Donkey B folds. It is now on Donkey C, and he must call a bet of $5 into a $15 pot. What are Donkey C's pot odds?

Donkey C's pot odds in this scenario are 3 to 1. Why? Because Donkey C has to pay 1/3 of the pot. 1/3 of $15 is $5. Same math as above, just different data points.

Scenario 3:

Now in the final example, we change up the bet size. Donkey A leads out with a $15 bet into a $10 pot. Donkey B folds. The action is on Donkey C. Donkey C must call $15 in a total pot of $25. What are Donkey C's pot odds?

Please answer in the comment section below.

Can you neutralize, or take away pot odds from a Donkey?

You can absolutely bet in a way that it is no longer mathematically beneficial for a Donkey to call a bet.

In order to reduce the odds of your opponent calling your bet, you sometimes may need to over bet a pot. Let us say there is $50 in the pot. Donkey A is holding K3 off, and Donkey B is holding K6 off. The flop falls 7 5 K 9 2, now both Donkeys have a pair of kings. Donkey B however has the hand won because his 6 plays.

Now in this scenario, Donkey A bets $200 into the $50 pot. Donkey B pot odds are a mere 1.25 to 1 After Donkey A made the bet of $200, the pot was $250, and Donkey B now has to put in $200 into a $250 pot. Donkey A, while still being a donkey may have made a brilliant, pot winning move here. While the bet is not wise because there are SO many hands that could beat him, perhaps he sensed weakness in his opponent and laid out a massive bet. This over bet made it virtually foolish for Donkey B to call the bet. Does Donkey B have the better hand, yes, but it is still weak, and because of that weakness, proceeding in a hand where you have 1.25 to 1 odds is just a bad poker move. Donkey B would be risking way too much money on the off chance that his 6 kicker is good.

Is the above method fool proof? Absolutely not! Why? Because of donkeys, of course. Donkeys never play by the "rules" and proper poker strategy is wasted on them. They do what they want, when they want, how they want - a true jackass if you will. You lay out a massive over bet, and a true donkey will call you any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. So watch your stack folks - keep them close, and guarded.

Do you always want to take away pot odds from your donkey opponent?

No. Why? Because you could be costing yourself chips. See exhibit A below...

My pot sized bet here priced my opponent out of the hand. He folded when I re-raised his 80 with my 300. I wanted him to call, why did I do that? I don't know. All I did was cost myself chips.

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Well folks, that is a wrap for lesson # 1. This was a very preliminary lesson on pot odds. Pot odds has two caveats: EV or expected value & card odds. That will be in lesson # 2 of Poker 101.

All poker strategy opinions are mine, and do not represent any person, or poker site. Why you may want to listen to me? Have I won uber amounts of cash playing poker? NOPE. BUT, I have lost uber amounts of cash playing poker. And there are plenty of people out there who tell you how to play, I am here to tell you how NOT to play.

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