Reverse implied odds: the hidden cost of second-best hands
Implied odds are the extra money you expect to win when you hit. Reverse implied odds are the extra money you expect to lose when you hit — because you make a good but second-best hand and pay off a better one.
Hands with reverse implied odds
Section titled “Hands with reverse implied odds”| Hand | Why it’s risky |
|---|---|
| Weak top pair (K-7 on K-8-3) | Beaten by K-Q, K-J, K-10… that bet big |
| Dominated aces (A-6) | Hitting an ace often loses to a better ace. See domination |
| Low flush draws (6-5 of hearts) | When the flush comes, a higher flush may be out |
| Low end of a straight (the “idiot end”) | E.g. 6-5 on 9-8-7: a 10 gives someone with J-10 or 10-6 a better straight |
| Small pairs in big multiway pots that make a low set | Rare, but set over set is costly |
Why it matters
Section titled “Why it matters”With these hands, the pots you win are small (worse hands don’t pay much) and the pots you lose are big (better hands bet and raise). Your raw odds might look fine, but your real results are worse. See implied odds.
How to play them
Section titled “How to play them”- Play them cheaply: call small bets, avoid calling raises preflop with dominated hands.
- Keep pots small when you hit: check, call, don’t stack off with one pair. See pot control.
- Prefer hands that make the nuts: suited aces make nut flushes; high suited connectors make top straights. See the nuts.
- Fold more out of position, where you can’t control the pot size.
Example
Section titled “Example”You call a raise with A-6 offsuit. Flop: A-K-4. You have top pair, but every A-K, A-Q, A-J, A-10 beats you. If you get two big bets, you’re usually beaten. The ace you “hit” is exactly what makes this hand expensive.
What are reverse implied odds?
Section titled “What are reverse implied odds?”The extra money you expect to lose when you make a good but second-best hand and pay off a better one.
Which hands have reverse implied odds?
Section titled “Which hands have reverse implied odds?”Weak top pairs, dominated aces, low flush draws and the low end of straights.
How should I play hands with reverse implied odds?
Section titled “How should I play hands with reverse implied odds?”Cheaply: avoid big preflop calls, keep pots small and don’t stack off with one pair.
Why are suited aces better than low suited hands?
Section titled “Why are suited aces better than low suited hands?”They make the nut flush, so when you hit you rarely lose to a higher flush.