EQUITY AS ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONS OF POKER
Whether you are a novice or a more experienced player, equity, and equity calculators more specifically, are among those poker tools that a poker player arguably can’t live without.
It can shape your strategy when it comes to making hands, such as pocket aces or having a flush draw. Moreover, it can determine your bet sizing for a particular hand, and whether you should make a big bet if you wish to produce a winning hand.
It all makes sense when you get your head around it, and this guide will give you an idea of how to do some simple math at the table before you go all in and take a more aggressive approach during the post-flop rounds.
Although beginners may not like the concept of poker equity, if you can calculate equity quickly, then your game will improve immeasurably in the long term.
WHAT IS EQUITY IN POKER?
Before we begin to look in more detail at how poker equity works, we ought to explain as to what poker equity is for those who aren’t familiar with the term.
In short, poker equity refers to the implied odds of you making a winning hand at a given time that will improve your chances or pot odds within a game. It is usually calculated as a percentage.
So, for example, if there is $1,000 in the pot, and you are a 60% favourite to win your hand, the pot equity is 60%.
Essentially, you are trying to increase your expected value for how many outs you will make in a game, and there are equity calculators out there embedded in poker software which will do the groundwork for you.
It will also help imitate common pre-flop scenarios, and for poker players, this is like a comfort blanket when it comes to range advantage.
Invariably, the more you bet with an understanding of equity, the more favourable odds you will get when you raise in a late position, and the more likely you are to win more money at the table.
WHAT IS EQUITY USED FOR?
Poker equity is commonly used by players to work out how to stifle an opponent’s bet by making strong hands, such as a two pair or a full house in common pre-flop scenarios.
There are other factors to take into decisions, such as when an opponent calls or folds, and while you can gain an accurate figure from using simple poker software tools, you shouldn’t just rely on it.
This can be a godsend for those intrigued about a player’s equity, in terms of expected value when they play with certain cards, as well as making all the necessary outs in a game.
For example, software programs such as PokerCruncher for iPhone users and Poker Tracker are widely used by players to make equity calculations. Here, you will be able to find custom stats, as well as filters and reports to analyse pot equity when you play online poker.
In the following sections, we will go into more depth about how you can calculate poker equity, and how to make sense of the odds when it comes to using certain tactics, such as semi bluffing.
HOW DO I CALCULATE EQUITY IN POKER?
While it may simple to just plug a few numbers into your iOS or Android devices’ calculator, poker equity is a bit more sophisticated than that.
We will use an example or two and even a chart to illustrate how to calculate poker equity, and how to use poker equity effectively.
POKER EQUITY CALCULATOR
The poker equity calculator you will use will ultimately depend on the variation of poker you are playing, whether it be Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, 7-card stud, and so forth.
For example, fold equity is part and parcel of poker. The fold equity refers to the amount a player stands to make from a pot should another poker player fold.
To calculate fold equity, you need to use the following formula:
Fold equity = (likelihood opponent folds) x (the gain in equity if the opponent folds).
So, if we used the above example, say a player has 20% equity makes a pot sized bet, and has a 70% chance of getting their opponents to fold a marginal hand.
The fold equity is then (70%) (30%) = 21%. Therefore, if they bet, their equity will increase to 20% (actual equity) + 30% (fold equity) = 50%.
Understanding how poker equity works and how to gain more equity will stand you in good stead when you play a poker game.
It is a basic part of your strategy, especially when you wish to examine the odds of your opponent making a certain hand during the flop or if they raise while betting larger amounts.
Also, with equity, you can assess what went right and what went wrong, and make a few adjustments to improve your chance of winning in a future poker game.
POKER ODDS CALCULATOR
The poker calculator in essence should be viewed as the implied odds of making a particular poker hand whether it be in the pre-flop or post-flop stages. By establishing this, you can see how much money you can win from the pot.
In terms of basic poker math, odds will usually be expressed in decimal or percentage format. To work out the odds, you can divide the percentage of hitting when you play in the flop by the chance that you won’t hit in it.
So, with poker equity odds of 25%, you divide 100 by 25 which equals 4. Subtract one from this, and the poker equity works out as overall odds of 3/1 as a fraction.
To show the chances of making a strong poker hand, and taking more from the pot, we have used a chart which should simplify poker odds for you. This is split into a hand’s equity for common preflop scenarios.
Common preflop scenarios
| Hand No.1 | Equity No.1 | Vs Hand No.2 | Equity No.2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overpair (AA) | 81% | Underpair (KK) | 19% |
| Overpair (AA) | 92% | Dominated Overcard (AK) | 8% |
| Overpair (AA) | 81% | Unsuited Undercard Connectors (87o) | 19% |
| Overpair (AA) | 77% | Suited Undercard Connectors (87o) | 23% |
| Overpair (AA) | 88% | Junk (72o) | 11% |
WHAT DOES YOUR POKER EQUITY DEPEND ON?
Your equity in poker will depend on a few other factors, of which we have addressed below:
- Pot size – Ultimately, the amount in pot will dictate how much you can win, and the bigger the pot, the more you stand to lose if you go all in and it doesn’t pay off.
- Number of players – With more players at the table, your odds decrease of winning, especially if your opponents have experience of betting effectively during the flop.
- Hands played – Equity calculators come in handy here for online poker, especially if you want to make a straight draw or land a pocket pair during the flop. You will also learn to be smarter in range with more poker equity at the table, and you will also understand the importance of fold equity.
- Betting tendencies – We’re not just talking about your betting habits, but more specifically, the habits of your opponents. So, for example, your opponents might not be afraid to raise with what they consider to be a better hand when they play, but they might not always fully appreciate the odds of making such a hand at the flop. This is a case of not following the money and being swayed by what is in the pot.
EQUITY IN PRACTICE – BEST EXAMPLES
We have discussed how to calculate equity and equity in poker, more generally speaking, is quite wide ranging.
To further illustrate the notion of equity in poker, we have used a few examples which should make things even clearer to understand when you play.
- Making outs – You may have a flush draw on the flop. However, your opponent could have cards of the same rank or have ones that can help compile a straight draw. If you think you will make your straight draw, you should use the Rule of 2 and 4. See what you need to make your hand to win and multiply this number by 4 with two cards to come at this point.
- So with 13 cards of each suit, 2 in hand on 2 flop, you are left with 9 outs. The odds of hitting a flush afterwards are as follows: 9×4 = 36%. These odds will be with two cards to come after.
- Short stacked – Some players may be short stacked in a tournament and therefore decide to go all in. They do so with a Jack and 10 of the same suit (Clubs) rather than an Ace of Diamonds and 2 of Clubs as they think their equity increases here. But if they are called by a player who makes a clever pot based bet, they could be outfoxed.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EQUITY AND POT ODDS
There is a fundamental difference between the way pot odds and poker equity works. Equity is what you do after you have established what the pot odds are.
The equity refers to the implied odds of making say a flush draw or the same hand as your opponent, and you will need to calculate the chances that your bet will improve your hand equity, which in turn, could provide a win, and take more from the pot.
An equity calculator therefore comes in handy, and as mentioned, there will be many poker apps that will come complete with a poker equity calculator, which will break down the types of hands you can make, as well as help you understand fold equity.
The pot odds are used as a ratio, and then the poker equity will be used as a further ratio to compare the equity and pot equity.
Pot odds, as you might expect focus solely on what is in the pot — the relationship between the size of the pot and the size of the bet placed. As such, pot odds are the odds that you are offered by the pot to make a call when you bet.
So, if there is $10 in the pot, and you call with a $2 bet. The pot odds here will be 5/1. If you then call a $5 bet in the same $10 pot, you will get odds of 2/1. So, before you work out how much you want to bet, you need to establish the size of the pot and use an odds calculator.
Although it may be easy to confuse poker equity and pot odds, the two can combine effectively to show your chances of winning a game of poker.
EQUITY AS AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF POKER STRATEGY
Poker equity is a vital component of your strategy. After all, the more equity you have, the better placed you will be to win more games.
In this segment, we have provided a couple of pointers that can be used when you have more equity, as well as when you have less equity.
We will also touch upon how to have a poker equity strategy in place when it comes to tournament play, so read on.
POKER STRATEGY WHEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF EQUITY
Bet for value
If you are in an advantageous poker equity, then you should look for value with your bets, so you can win more in the latter streets.
Don’t fold your best hands here. Bide your time and try and squeeze your opponent when you can.
Bring out the bluff
When you have more equity, this takes fold equity out of the equation. Well, you may consider fold equity as a strategy if you have poor hands.
But if you can make a flush draw, and have an innate understanding of the poker rules, then you may wish to bluff your opponent with two overcards, and this will bolster your chances of winning.
Bluffing isn’t something that should be overused, but if you can master the art, then over time you could be more successful with the bet you make, and scoop more from the pot.
POKER STRATEGY WHEN YOU HAVE LOW EQUITY
Don’t make equity calculations on the fly
Getting used to making equity calculations when you are trailing in a game takes some time to get used to.
An equity calculator or a hand converter will be worthwhile here, so you can turn a losing situation into a more positive one where you end up as the winning player if you make a tactical bet at the right price.
EQUITY STRATEGY IN POKER TOURNAMENTS
C-Bet Frequency
Poker equity is not the only way of measuring aggression by a poker player. It can be a sensible thing for a player to do if they want to gain more equity as well as increase the size of the pot if they find themselves ahead and appear to be on course to win a game.
Again, a poker equity calculator will be useful to determine the value of making a c-bet during the post-flop stage.
Don’t go overboard with Stealing
Stealing in the later streets is something that most experienced poker players will be accustomed to doing, and they will be cunning enough to pull it off when the opportunity arises.
When the antes are in play, and you are in the big blinds, then you can win and pick up the pot in double quick time to bolster your profits.
Of course, raising against weaker players is a good tactic, but if you come against quality opponents, then this can backfire, so make sure you are fully aware of what you are doing before you place a bet.
CONCLUSION
So, there we have it. We have given you a comprehensive overview of poker equity and the role it plays within the game. It isn’t something that should be taken for granted, and if you prepare well by studying hands and using a poker equity calculator, then there is a strong chance you will win and take more money from the pot.
Whatever stage you are at with your poker skills, this guide should be used as a support tool, so refer back to this page if you have any queries or concerns about equity.
⭐ Is there a formula for Equity?
Yes, there is. You just have to divide the number of ways you can win a hand by the total number of possible outcomes available.
⭐ Why is Poker Equity so important?
Poker equity is crucial when playing as it can help establish a couple of factors. You can work out what hands you need to make a value bet, and put yourself in a strong position. It also helps you prevent your opponent from realising their equity. This in turn, means, you are well placed to win and take more money from the pot.
⭐ What Is Fold Equity in Poker?
Fold equity, at a basic level, is the probability that your opponent will fold against a player who calls a bet or makes a raise. As such, fold equity matters, because it will give you a better idea of when to fold with particular hands, however, the onus is on you to work out the risk/reward ratio of folding before or after the flop.
⭐ Does Equity help you increase your profits in poker?
Yes, in short. If you can use equity to your advantage, and tap into tools, such as a poker equity calculator, then you will know what outs you need to make with a hand. You will be better placed to read any hands that your opponent may or not make, and you will be able to counter this. With certain techniques, such as a c-bet, you can be more aggressive if you have more equity.
⭐ Can understanding Equity in poker improve your game?
Yes, absolutely. There are plenty of tools out there that will help with your equity, and it can be an invaluable resource for beginners who dipping their toes in poker. However, more experienced players can still learn about equity, and aside from improving your game, it will also make it more enjoyable. Equity, therefore, is something that you should never take for granted regardless of your ability.