What is "equity"?

jadaminato

jadaminato

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Oct 4, 2014
Total posts
617
Awards
3
Chips
2
I have seen in many videos that pro players often mention the "equity" of their hands. Now, according to what I understand, it is the expected value of that hand. So, a couple of aces would have an equity of 80% preflop? In that case, professional players know the "equity" of all the hands of their rank, and how does it change with the flop cards?
 
F

fundiver199

Legend
Loyaler
Joined
Jun 3, 2019
Total posts
13,524
Awards
1
Chips
308
Equity is the chance, that a given hand will be the best hand at showdown. It can be calculated for a single hand as well as a range on hands. There are many different programs, that can do it. In real time you dont know your exact equity, because you dont know your opponent(s) hand(s), nor their exact ranges. But you can estimate it and have an idea about, where you stand.
 
topcatbrazil

topcatbrazil

Rock Star
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 1, 2017
Total posts
148
Awards
1
Chips
31
It is weird that it is the objective of the game and at the same time it is something that no one defines when they are explaining to you how to play the game.
 
frnandoh

frnandoh

Legend
Bronze Level
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Total posts
1,711
Awards
2
BR
Chips
70
I had some trouble to swallow the meaning of this word in poker language, because it is very different of its true meaning in formal uses. But I have heard some meanings that are closer from dictionary.

1. When your call in a final pot is no more than your odds. When your odds are 33%, you should not to call more than 33% of final pot.
Ex:
Pot 1000 chips
Odds 33%

You should not to call more than 1000 chips, because the first pot has 1000 chips, villain bets 1000, so you call with 33% (1000 chips) of a final pot (3000 chips). When you pay more than that, your call becomes negative in the long run.
 
Top