Shifting into Reverse
poker players use pot odds to determine when and how much they should bet. Pot odds are calculations that measure the mathematical probability of a casino online hand completing to a win compared with the implied profit expressed as a percent multiple of the bet. Put simply, if you have 8 outs to a straight draw, your odds are 5-1. If the pot is paying more than 5x the bet to call to see another card, then your pot odds are favorable. A pot paying less than 5x the bet amounts to poor pot odds and over the long term you lose by making these calls. Sometimes though, pot odds that are favorable on the flop or turn can take a step back and diminish. This is known as reverse pot odds. For example, you have 8 outs to a straight on the flop, and with two bettors in front of you, the pot is now building toward favorable calling pot odds. The turn however brings a second card to a suit, making it possible for another poker online player to hit a flush, and everyone checks. Your pot odds have been reduced because now two of your outs - the two numeric cards of the suited cards on board - are no longer available to you. Your favorable pot odds on the flop have slipped into reverse, so checking the turn to get a free card is the prudent decision to make. You only have six outs with 7-1 probability of making a winning hand. But the pot is only paying just under 6x a bet to call on the river. The pot odds that were good on the flop no longer hold.