Poker Math · 5

Stack-to-Pot Ratio (SPR)

How committed you are to the pot. Determines whether you should go all-in or play small.

Formula

SPR = Effective Stack / Pot Size

Explanation

SPR tells you how much money is still behind compared to the pot. Low SPR (< 3): hard to fold strong hands, play for stacks. Medium SPR (3-10): standard postflop play. High SPR (> 10): need real hands to go big, draws and bluffs matter more.

Example

Setup

Pot is $20 after preflop. You have $100 left. SPR?

Calculation

SPR = 100 / 20 = 5
This is medium SPR — standard postflop territory
Top pair good kicker can usually go 3 streets for value

Conclusion

SPR 5 lets you play your full range normally without being committed too early.

Practice

Effective stacks are 100 BB. After raising to 3 BB and getting called, the pot is 7 BB (3 + 3 + 0.5 + 0.5). You have 97 BB behind. What is the SPR on the flop?