Poker is a game of chance and probability, based on odds. Poker odds are no different from the odds for any other gambling game in their calculation or form. If there is a ratio of odds of 10 to 1 (which is more likely to be written in shorthand form as 10:1), then this means that for 1 you wager, you stand to win 10 times that amount. A bet of $10 will win you a potential $100. The pot in poker simply refers to the amount of money currently at stake, and that the winner of the current game will win. Pot odds then, if we take the definition above, simply refers to the amount of money you would bet (or call to use the terminology) in order to try and win the pot. A common mistake, in the case of novice players through lack of experience and for seasoned players just simple greed, is that you DONT need to win every time in order to make money, or at least cover your costs. The trick to succeeding in poker knows when to bet, that is, if you are more likely to win than you have to pay, then the law of probability holds that it is a winning move in the long run. Say there is $100 at stake within the pot, and the minimum bet is $10. This means that if you were wrong/lose 9 out of 10 times, you will still cover your losses (break even) if you win at the next game. Pot odds is the most important factor, that will govern how much to bet, when you should bet (if indeed at all) and so it is important that you grasp this basic concept. Careful planning and a degree of patience are vital to your poker success.