Poker Glossary

Fold Equity

The portion of an aggressive line’s value that comes from the chance your opponent folds — equity you manufacture with pressure rather than cards. The total value of a bet equals (chance they fold × pot now) plus (chance they call × your equity when called); the first term is fold equity. It is why semi-bluffs and short-stack shoves work, it shrinks against calling stations, and it vanishes against a player already committed.

At the table

A 12bb shove with A♣8♣ does not need the best hand — the folds from small pairs and weaker aces supply most of the profit before a single card falls.

House note

Fold equity: the money in making the other player flinch first.

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