What is equity in poker?
Equity is your share of the pot based on how often your hand would win if all the cards were dealt out now. If you have 40% equity in a $100 pot, your “fair share” is $40. Comparing your equity with the pot odds tells you whether a call is profitable.
Example
Section titled “Example”You have A♥ K♥, your opponent has Q♠ Q♣, and you’re all-in before the flop. Your equity is about 46%, theirs about 54%. Over many such all-ins you’d win a little less than half the time.
Equity against a range
Section titled “Equity against a range”You rarely know the exact hand, so think about equity against a range. Top pair might have 80% equity against a player who bets with any pair, but only 20% against a tight player who only raises with two pair or better.
Equity vs pot odds
Section titled “Equity vs pot odds”| Pot odds you get | Equity you need to call |
|---|---|
| 2 : 1 (call $50 into $100) | 33% |
| 3 : 1 (call $25 into $75) | 25% |
| 4 : 1 (call $20 into $80) | 20% |
If your equity is higher than what you need, calling is +EV. See expected value.
Fold equity
Section titled “Fold equity”Fold equity is the extra value from the chance that your opponent folds when you bet or raise. A semi-bluff with a flush draw has its draw equity plus fold equity, which is why betting can be better than calling.
Equity is not the whole story
Section titled “Equity is not the whole story”- Being out of position makes it harder to realise your equity.
- Implied odds matter when stacks are deep. See set mining.
For common numbers see the poker odds cheat sheet.
What is equity in poker?
Section titled “What is equity in poker?”Your share of the pot based on how often your hand wins if all cards are dealt out.
How much equity do I need to call?
Section titled “How much equity do I need to call?”It depends on the pot odds: getting 2 to 1 you need 33%, getting 3 to 1 you need 25%.
What is fold equity?
Section titled “What is fold equity?”The extra value from the chance your opponent folds when you bet or raise.
What is A-K’s equity against Q-Q?
Section titled “What is A-K’s equity against Q-Q?”About 46% all-in before the flop.