Odds

When we watch these tournaments on tv we see the odds that everyone has at a table. How is that determined?

[FONT=Franklin Gothic Medium]Through probability calculations. There are any number of odds calculators available online that will do the same thing. Unfortunately they are near useless during online games since you're missing the vital information of what your opponent has. But you can find out what the odds were after the fact if there was a showdown. . .[/FONT]

The easiest way to calculate your odds is the rule of 4 and the rule of 2.
Roughly outlined, After the flop, with two draws, you can multiply your outs by 4. ie, you have 78o. Flop is K,5,6. Assuming your opponent is ahead you , you have roughly 8 outs. 4-9's 4-4's. 8 cards times 4= 32% chance of hitting your straight. Turn is a 3. You still have 8 outs. 8 x 2 =16%. Its not completely accurate to the letter but it is fairly close. It will help you in the long run. Now lets say turn is an 8. now you have 10 outs on the river. easy, 20% chance to hit. It is helpful to use this when your ahead as well. You can calculate what your opponents odds are as well assuming he has the best possible draw.

Also what important to determine are the pot odds which decide if the odds of you having the best hand or getting one of your odds verses the percentage of chips you have in the pot verses the total amount. Some times if the pot is low its almost just worth it to give it up