Understanding Equity

**dyehard** · 09-10-2010 03:50 PM

It is painfully obvious to me that the top online players have a great understanding of equity. In a general sense, I understand equity. I know that if I have a lot of equity, it is good. Little equity is bad. However, I don't really know how to calculate it or how to apply it. How much different is equity from pot or implied odds? I'm looking for an expert to help myself and others, in depth, but yet in simple English, understand equity.

**Chipless Wonder** · 09-10-2010 04:00 PM

Fold Equity

**dyehard** · 09-10-2010 04:11 PM

Fold Equity is an easy concept to understand and it is more "theory" than math. Actual hand equity, as I understand it, is virtually all math and not a shove specific tool, but rather information that is used on every street with or without the intention to make an opponent fold.

**Cambo71** · 09-10-2010 04:28 PM

I think you should read small stakes Holden by skalAnsky and frIends. It really explains how hands fair against a number of hands. Let's say hand x has 20 % equity against 4 other opponents, it is break even (example is limit). Now make the hand suited and gain 3% in equity and the hand goes to a profitable hand and a mistake to fold.

**Cambo71** · 09-10-2010 04:31 PM

You should also try using poker stove and hand calculators.

**ThrillCory90** · 09-10-2010 04:42 PM

Equity is what % of the pot you win on average. Specifically Pot equity is how often you win if you get to showdown. If you have a 50% chance of winning in a 100$ pot, you have $50 pot equity and your opopnents have the other $50

Fold equity is how often you win by attempting to make your opponent fold. If you have a 50% chance of your opponent folding in a $100 pot then you have $50 fold equity.

In addition there is Implied equity (implied odds) is the % of chips that are still in the players stack you win on average. You can't calculate this. Unless you know how the hand will play out in every situation.

I don't really know how to calculate it or how to apply it.

It's a really general concept that you apply already whether you know it or not. Any poker strategy aims to fold when equity is low and continue when equity is high in general.

Example

You play AA instead of 32o because AA has better pot equity.

You bluff/playback more on the flop more with one player in the pot than with 8 players in the pot because your fold equity is higher.

You play more in position because your implied equity (how much you make later in the hand) is greater in position.

So you already use equity whether you know it or not. Poker players skill level can be described by how good they are at correctly guessing how much equity they need, and if they have enough. Every single decision this.

**Idontplay6s** · 09-10-2010 07:51 PM

buy a leggo poker subscription. then cancel it. you will get 7-10 days free and you can watch a bunch of videos. In the "presentations" section there is a 3 part power-point about Poker Math.

GL

**dyehard** · 09-10-2010 09:19 PM

Originally Posted by Cambo71

I think you should read small stakes Holden by skalAnsky and frIends. It really explains how hands fair against a number of hands. Let's say hand x has 20 % equity against 4 other opponents, it is break even (example is limit). Now make the hand suited and gain 3% in equity and the hand goes to a profitable hand and a mistake to fold.

How do I know that hand x has 20% equity? Is this the same as my %chance of winning a hand if we go to showdown? For example, my AKo is 45% to win vs 77o.

**tnlovells** · 09-10-2010 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by dyehard

How do I know that hand x has 20% equity? Is this the same as my %chance of winning a hand if we go to showdown? For example, my AKo is 45% to win vs 77o.

I'm in the same boat as Dyehard here. I am assuming from what has been said so far and what I have read, this is primarily based on my ability to put my opponents on accurate hand ranges, or even specific hands?

**Chancard** · 09-10-2010 10:01 PM

Originally Posted by Idontplay6s

buy a leggo poker subscription. then cancel it. you will get 7-10 days free and you can watch a bunch of videos.

GL

Please dont take this as a personal attack, but this is so pathetic. Young people have no issue with maxing out their credit cards, buying balla phones and rims for their cars but are too cheap to spend 25$ for a 1 month subscription for something they obviously value pretty highly.

The only consequence this behaviour will have is that cancelling will not be possible anymore or that they will require a signup fee like some of the companies out there.

I am a European living in the US for a couple of months now, so I do feel I can sort of compare between the two. It just seems to me that the american public is cutting corners with all sort of return policies, insurance claims that are rediculous etc etc. Consequences of this sort of behaviour is a direct reason why insurance has now become unaffordable for so many people and places like Costco are cutting down their return policies bit by bit.

Again, this is not a personal attack. It is a general sentiment of mine about what I find to be really really sickening about the US economy.

I do want to say I am living in Vegas, which might be really different that 'real' America.