In poker, EV stands for “expected value.” EV is a measure of how likely it is that a particular hand will result in a profit for the player. EV is calculated by multiplying the chance of each possible outcome (in percent) by the potential payoff for each outcome (in dollars). For example, if there are three possible hands and the potential payoffs are A, K, and Q, the EV for each hand would be (3/52)*($10), or $0.
06. In this example, the hand with the highest EV would be K (3/52), since it has a potential payout of $10 plus any other amounts won from other hands. EV can also be expressed as a percentage: 100% EV means that each possible hand results in a profit; 0% EV means that there is no chance of making a profit from any hand.
EV is important for two reasons. First, it determines which hands are worth playing. If you’re playing against someone who is consistently playing hands with high EV, you’ll want to avoid those hands unless you have a strong reason to play them.
Second, it gives you an idea of how much you’re likely to win or lose on any given hand. If you’re playing against someone who has high EV, it’s often wise to fold even if the odds might seem in your favor (assuming you can find an equivalent hand that has lower EV).
There are several ways to calculate EV in poker. The most common method is to use Hold’em poker’s basic strategy calculator.
This calculator allows you to input the values of all your cards and then calculates your expected value for every possible combination of hands (including all-ins). Other calculators allow you to enter specific hands rather than just combinations of cards, and they may also include information on pot odds and other game factors.
The final decision about whether or not to play a given hand depends on a number of factors, including your opponent’s position in the tournament and the cards he or she has been dealt so far. But knowing your opponent’s expected value will give you an idea of what kind of hands to avoid and what kind of bets to make.
