Pot Geometry Calculator
Understanding pot geometry is one of the most important concepts in Texas Hold'em and other poker variants. This calculator visualizes how bet sizing across multiple streets affects the final pot size through geometric growth. Small differences in early street bet sizing lead to dramatically different final pots—a concept that separates recreational players from serious students of the game.
According to the PokerStrategy geometric betting guides, proper pot geometry planning allows you to get your entire stack into the middle by the river while maintaining reasonable bet-to-pot ratios. Use this calculator to see exactly how pot geometry works and plan your multi-street betting lines accordingly.
Pot Geometry Visualizer
Pot Growth Visualization
Bet Sizing Comparison (Same Starting Pot)
| Bet Size | After Flop | After Turn | After River | Your Bet Total | Growth |
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Understanding Pot Geometry
Pot geometry is the mathematical concept describing how pots grow across multiple betting streets. Unlike linear growth (adding the same amount each time), poker pots grow geometrically because each bet is based on a percentage of the current pot, which itself has grown from previous streets. This concept is fundamental to understanding bet sizing strategy and planning multi-street betting lines.
A player betting 33% pot across three streets will build the pot to only 4.7× the starting amount. A player betting 75% pot across the same three streets will build it to 15.6×—over three times larger. This is why bet sizing decisions early in the hand have massive downstream effects.
The Mathematics of Geometric Growth
According to poker mathematics research documented in Two Plus Two strategy forums, the geometric relationship between bet sizing and pot growth follows a predictable pattern that skilled players use to plan their entire betting lines before making the first bet.
- 33% Pot Bet: Pot grows by factor of 1.66× per street. After 3 streets: 4.57× starting pot
- 50% Pot Bet: Pot grows by factor of 2× per street. After 3 streets: 8× starting pot
- 66% Pot Bet: Pot grows by factor of 2.32× per street. After 3 streets: 12.5× starting pot
- 75% Pot Bet: Pot grows by factor of 2.5× per street. After 3 streets: 15.6× starting pot
- 100% Pot Bet: Pot grows by factor of 3× per street. After 3 streets: 27× starting pot
Using Pot Geometry for Stack-Off Planning
One of the most practical applications of pot geometry is determining whether you can comfortably get your stack in by the river with reasonable bet sizes. This connects directly to SPR (Stack-to-Pot Ratio) concepts. If you have 100bb effective stacks and a 10bb pot on the flop (SPR of 10), you need to plan how to build the pot to commit your remaining 100bb.
The Card Player strategy section emphasizes that understanding this relationship allows players to avoid awkward river situations where they're either forced to massively overbet or leave significant value on the table with undersized bets.
To get exactly all-in on the river with an effective stack equal to 10× the starting pot, bet approximately 70% pot on each street. The "perfect geometric" preset in the calculator above shows you this optimal sizing for any starting SPR.
Practical Applications
Professional players use pot geometry in several key scenarios:
- Value Betting: When holding strong hands like sets or top two pair, sizing bets to build pots that allow maximum extraction on later streets
- Bluff Planning: Understanding the relationship between bet sizes and fold equity requirements across multiple streets
- SPR Management: Adjusting preflop raise sizes to create favorable stack-to-pot ratios for your hand type
- Tournament Play: Managing ICM considerations by controlling pot sizes relative to tournament life
Common Mistakes in Pot Geometry
According to Upswing Poker's analysis, many players make systematic errors in their multi-street planning:
- Betting Too Small Early: Using 33% pot bets with big hands leaves money on the table and creates awkward river situations
- Inconsistent Sizing: Mixing bet sizes randomly rather than having a cohesive multi-street plan
- Ignoring Effective Stacks: Failing to adjust bet sizing based on how much money remains to play for
- Over-focusing on Single Streets: Making "correct" individual bets without considering the full three-street sequence
Related Tools and Resources
To build a complete understanding of poker mathematics and betting strategy, explore these related calculators and guides:
- SPR Calculator - Calculate stack-to-pot ratio and understand commitment thresholds
- Expected Value Calculator - Analyze the profitability of your betting decisions
- Pot Odds Calculator - Understand the relationship between pot odds and bet sizing
- Bet Sizing Strategy Guide - Comprehensive article on optimal bet sizing principles
- Value Betting Guide - Learn to extract maximum value with proper sizing
Frequently Asked Questions
Pot geometry refers to how the pot grows geometrically (not linearly) across multiple betting streets. When you bet a percentage of the pot and get called, the pot grows by more than just your bet—it includes your opponent's call too. This compounds across streets, meaning small differences in early street bet sizing lead to dramatically different final pot sizes.
Because of geometric growth, a 50% pot bet on the flop that gets called three times will result in a significantly smaller pot than a 75% pot bet called three times. The difference compounds: 50% bets grow the pot by 2× per street (you bet half, they call half), while 75% bets grow it by 2.5× per street. Over three streets, this is the difference between 8× and 15.6× the starting pot.
Start by determining how much you want to potentially win (or how much your effective stacks allow). Then work backwards to figure out what bet sizes across each street will build the pot to that target. This calculator helps you see the relationship between starting pot, bet sizes, and final pot to plan your multi-street betting lines.
Understanding pot geometry transforms how you think about poker betting. Rather than making isolated decisions each street, you begin planning complete betting sequences that maximize value extraction or bluffing effectiveness. This calculator gives you the tools to visualize and internalize these critical mathematical relationships.