Stack to Pot ratio

Hello everyone!

I’m interested in studying SPR for I regard it has a lot of possible applications and will significantly increase my understanding of the game.
Anyone has or can suggest any material thru which I can learn more abou it?


Thank you

Are you ready?

You only calculate this on the flop.
Pot/effective stack = SPR.
If it's less than 3. You should be playing for stacks. Top pair+ is getting in

3-6: this is the grey area, you really need to figure out your own strat here.

7+ your shouldn't automatically be playing for stacks. 7+ is good for implied odds hands like suited connectors and gappers

Thank you for this post bloodviper. I think it is interesting why SPR does not come into play preflop/turn or river. I do not know the reason...

Jimboskie said:

Thank you for this post bloodviper. I think it is interesting why SPR does not come into play preflop/turn or river. I do not know the reason...

Click to expand...

Well it is something I consider preflop! For example, hands like suited connectors really only work well in 7+ SPR pots as they typically need to see a river to fully realize their equity. So when I see a shorter stack open, I'll only call if the stacks are deep enough!

SPR isn't used on the turn or river because by then you'll know how committed you are.

I have been working on this lately and am finding it a very powerful concept that is really helping me focus on the hand I am in.


While it is conventional thinking to use SPR on the Flop only, I have read in a few places why it is important to use pre-flop. Basically, you will see who you would be in the hand with at the flop, calculate your SPR on the fly, and make choices about what kind of hand will put you in the strongest position at the flop given the players in the hand you would be up against. For instance, if you have 55 and a small stack (SPR would be less than 3, say) raises you , especially with others more your size in that hand, it might not be wise to go ahead. Once you do, you are pretty much committed to the pot. In a larger SPR hand, however, it might be very advantageous.

Usually if villains stack is less than 50bb then the spr will be about 3 or less which is where you can get the money in with top pair and overpairs.
If effective stacks are over 100bb then play cautiously on wet boards and only call massive bets with sets or higher. If you have 2 pair in this scenario then you really gotta think more before you call.

bloodviper1s said:

Well it is something I consider preflop! For example, hands like suited connectors really only work well in 7+ SPR pots as they typically need to see a river to fully realize their equity. So when I see a shorter stack open, I'll only call if the stacks are deep enough!

SPR isn't used on the turn or river because by then you'll know how committed you are.

Click to expand...

This seems to be good advice. Thanks !!!