Understanding Poker Equity

🔑 What is Poker Equity?

• Definition: Your share of the pot based on the probability of winning the hand.

• Not guaranteed: Equity shows what you should win on average, not what you will win.

• Example: If you have 81% equity in a $100 pot, your expected value is $81.

💡 Types of Poker Equity

1. Hand Equity:

   • Refers to how strong your hand is vs. an opponent’s range.

   • Use tools like equity calculators (e.g., PokerStove, Equilab).

2. Fold Equity:

   • The value you gain when your opponent folds to your bet.

   • Increases with factors like position, bet sizing, and opponent tendencies.

📊 How to Calculate Equity

Rule of 2 and 4:

• Use when calculating draw potential:

  • After the flop: Outs × 4 = % chance to hit

  • After the turn: Outs × 2 = % chance to hit

Example:

• You have a flush draw (9 outs) after the flop:

  • 9 × 4 = 36% chance of completing your flush by the river.

🎯 Using Equity Strategically

• Combine with stack size, position, and opponent profiles to make optimal decisions.

• In tournaments, adjust based on bubble play, stack depth, and reentry formats.

• Reading opponents enhances your ability to assign accurate ranges and adjust strategy.

🧠 Range Equity

• Understand your hand vs. opponent’s range.

• Important for advanced decisions, especially in heads-up or multi-street scenarios.

📐 Pot Odds vs. Equity

• Pot odds help decide if a call is profitable.

• If your equity > pot odds, it’s generally a good call.

Example:

• Pot: $100

• Opponent bets $50 → You must call $50 to win $150 total → 3:1 odds

• Needed equity = 25%. If you have more than 25% chance of winning, you should call.

✅ Final Tips

• Start with hand equity and pot odds.

• Gradually learn to estimate fold equity and assign hand ranges.

• Use poker software/tools to analyze hands and improve intuition.