Originally Posted by JeffPainter

Now, I understand basic ratios. 20% is 1:5. 25% is 1:4. So am I understanding that I want my high end number, (in this case 5 and 4) for my draw odds to be LOWER than my high end number for pot odds?

Thanks in advance.

-Painter-

Correct... the ratio for your hand's drawing odds should be lower, thus a higher percentage... and by the way... you're better off using the percentage method as opposed to ratios... it's a little more exact... just remember the rule of 4 and 2... the percentage chance of you making a hand with a given number of outs is roughly 4 times the number of outs after the flop and 2 times the number of outs on the turn... then compare that to the percentage of "pot odds" and if your percentage is higher... it is mathematically correct to call.

So the pot is 2.00 and the bet is .50, total pot of 2.50 with .50 to call. You're being given 5:1 Pot odds.

There are 47 unseen cards on the flop, You have 12 outs, and there are 35 cards that don't help. You have 2.91:1 odds of hitting your outs on the turn.

Your odds of hitting (2.91:1) are greater than the amount of money you have to put in (5:1), so you may profitably call.

I find that ratios are easier to find implied odds on the money you need to make up. If the bet was equal to pot you would be putting in 2:1, your odds are 2.91:1, a difference of 0.91:1. So if he bet $2.00, you would need to make up $1.82 ($2.00x.91).
When you consider that the turn pot will be $6.00, that makes only about a 1/3 size pot bet, which is really easy to make up.

Also notice that in your above example. You are being asked to put in 16.6%. The pot is 2.50, and when you call it will be 3.00. .50/3.00=.166~ (5:1 pot odds = 1/6)

Originally Posted by JeffPainter

Now, I understand basic ratios. 20% is 1:5. 25% is 1:4.

20% = 4:1, 25% = 3:1, crazy huh? It took me a while to wrap my head around that.