If you have been avoiding poker because you believe that you suck at calculations, then this article might just be for you. Here, you will get a better understanding of poker equity, the calculations you have to make (they will soon be easy, we swear!) and win big with poker.
What is Poker Equity?
The concepts regarding poker equity that you have to learn include the following:
- What equity is
- Why equity matters in the game of poker
- How to calculate equity in a game of poker and win big
Most beginners have an aversion towards poker equity and learning about it. They think that they do not need to understand any calculations since all they care about is having fun while playing a card game. However, poker equity is one of the most important parts of any poker game. If you cannot use poker equity to your advantage, then your poker results will not be noteworthy.
Poker equity can be simply defined as the amount that is your ‘rightful’ share of the pot as understood by the present chance you have of winning the latest hand.
How to Calculate Equity in Poker?
If you do some Google searches, then you will come across several websites that function as poker equity calculators. Therefore, you might be wondering why you need to learn manual equity calculations at all. A poker equity calculator app and a tap on your mobile phone might just do the job for you anyway, right?
Most apps that are available to calculate poker equity give you all the information regarding the value, best play and the odds that you might have. They, however, do not provide you essential information about how to calculate the poker equity of your particular hand. They also do not aid you when it comes to actually combining all the information you get to win the hand.
Thus, learning how to calculate equity is rather important in a game of poker.
How Did We Calculate Poker Equity?
As per the definition already discussed here, calculating poker equity is an easy job. You need to check the amount available in the pot and then calculate you poker equity by checking the percentage chance your hand has of winning the pot – such as 56% of $200 or $112. The percentage depends upon the hand rankings in poker.
If your equity is $112, then your opponent’s equity will be $88. Only one out of the lot of you will win the $200 pot and that depends on the next turn and river stages. However, with your equity greater than your opponent’s, your chances of winning is much higher.
A Real-Life Example
Imagine a no-limit Texas Hold’em game. Here, you get to the flop stage when the pot is shown. Say you calculate your equity to be more than that of your opponent’s. You bet on the flop and then go all in with the $200 pot. Then you turn over for a straight flush hand and your opponent has something of a lower hand ranking as predicted by the equity calculations. You win.
Poker Equity Calculators
If you are still bent on getting a look at the best poker equity calculators out there, then take a look at the ones mentioned here.
Flopzilla
Flopzilla is a desktop-based poker equity calculator which provides all the necessary information in a basic manner. It is fast and is intimately connected to poker forums.
With around 10 years of experience, every poker player has used Flopzilla at least once. The charges are $25.
Preflop + Poker GTO Nash Charts
This equity calculator is available in the form of an app available for download on the iPhone, iPad and Android. Developed by the professional poker player Matt Berkey, this app is trustworthy and backed by the WSOP circuit. Other than serving as an equity calculator, this app also has training sessions that you can attend. There is a free version as well as a $74.99 version.
Poker Cruncher
Available on almost all devices as an app, this provides accurate stats for poker equity calculations and hand ranking analysis. There are free as well as paid packages in this app.
How to Use Poker Equity When You Play?
You can estimate poker equity either during the time when the cards are tabled or during a particular hand when the equity is determined on the basis of the strength of your hand versus your opponent’s hand.
Why Does it Matter?
Poker equity enables you to make informed decisions about your next move.
F.A.Q.s
Why is equity important in poker?
Equity is important in poker because it tells you about the chances of you winning the pot and what your next move should ideally be.
What is denying equity in poker?
Denying equity is a strategy which functions like a bluff. Here, we make our opponent fold a hand that has chances of winning the pot or has good equity.
What is the 2/4 rule in poker?
The 2/4 or 4-2 rule in poker refers to a strategy where you change the number of drawing outs into your odds of actually hitting them.