Let's take a typical $1/$2 scenario. I am in the BB with A9h and there are 2 callers and I get the free check. Flop is Qh 7c 2h. I check, EP2 bets $1, MP3 calls and it is to me. Now at this point there is $5 in the pot and pot odds say to call because I am getting odds of 5-1 so i call. Turn is a 2s. EP2 bets $2, MP3 folds and now it's my turn $8 in the pot, cost me $2 to call so again I am getting correct odds to call, but consider this:
While calling the turn bet would be correct because of the odds I am receiving what about the fact that $2 of those dollars in that pot I am basing my decision to call on were put in by me. Would this not make the decision to call wrong, since I am actually basing the pot odds to call not on how much of my opponents money I can win, but it is being based partially on money I myself have put in.
If we are going to make our decisions on pot odds, should they not be based on only the money my opponents have put in, since that is really the only money I would in fact be "winning"?
If we deduct the $2 I put in in the above example that would mean the amount of money I am basing my decision on is in fact only $6 and with only 3-1 odds I should fold.
Perhaps I am putting too much detail about calling with pot odds because once you put money in the pot it is not yours any longer, but if we are truly going to base our decisions on pot odds and truly make those decisions profitable, is it not vital to consider only the money you would actually be winning when deciding if it is a profitable play and not count the money you have put into this pot?
Comments welcome.Statistics: Posted by StarlightCoast — Mon Oct 03, 2005 8:29 am
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