What is SPR Poker? Recognizing the SPR ratio has sparked quite a few differing opinions on whether it helps players achieve victory more easily.
Depending on the understanding, calculation methods, and mindset of the players, the SPR number brings different benefits.
To better understand this term and how to apply it effectively, you need to follow the shares below.
What is SPR Poker?
For those who do not know, SPR is the ratio between effective stack size and pot size on the flop.
Accordingly, if a player raises 6 MP on the flop while the opponent at BU calls, and both SB and BB fold, we have an SPR of:
100/15 = 6.3
Note: The stack of all players is $100, NL cash game is $1/$2.
Thus, simply put, SPR can be seen as the ratio between the risk and the reward that players can receive when participating in playing online Poker.
So, a smaller SPR means your risk is lower, and vice versa.
The most accurate SPR calculation formula
As mentioned above, SPR is the ratio between effective stack size risk and pot size reward on the flop.
We have the formula SPR = Effective stack size / Pot size on the flop
= Risk / Reward
= Risk / Reward.
When applying this formula to calculate SPR, there are two points you need to note:
1. Use the correct effective stack size in the formula. For example, if you have 150 and the opponent has 100, the risk calculated is 100 because you cannot win or lose more than this amount during the game.
2. We only calculate SPR when playing the flop because this index is no longer applicable in the turn or river rounds.
What is the effect of knowing high – low SPR?
Only when you clearly understand and control the risk can you have the opportunity to play the flop more effectively and easily than usual.
Depending on whether the SPR index is high or low, they carry different meanings.
Low SPR
Low SPR is quite simple as it helps players make quick decisions when playing on the flop.
This is because your risk is extremely small compared to the reward currently in the pot.
For example, a player cannot float on the flop and then check, raise, or go all-in when playing on the turn if that flop round is only 10 while you still have 20 in your stack.
High SPR
Conversely, in a high SPR situation, players will find it difficult to make choices because there is too much money in the stack to play in the subsequent rounds.
Depending on the strength of your hole cards, players will choose different actions.
Therefore, if you clearly determine which range the SPR belongs to, the relationship between them and the hand will be established right at the preflop.
Benefits of Calculating SPR in Poker
To help players better understand SPR Poker, I will immediately share the benefits of calculating them in a specific case.
Accordingly, you hold a strong pair A K, but the flop shows K T 9, then the only desire of a master will be to win the pot at the flop to avoid unnecessary risks.
Low SPR
In the first situation, when the pot size is 10 and the effective stack is 30, you can easily calculate the SPR as 3 according to the formula.
Thus, if you bet on the flop but are raised by an opponent, you can still call or go all-in.
Although you cannot eliminate the situation where the opponent has a better hand, the risk is now very low, which is why players will still decide to play through quickly.
High SPR
Also using the above example, but now the pot size is 10, while your effective stack is extremely high at 200, making the SPR calculated as 20 – a quite risky number.
In the case where the player decides to bet on the flop and the opponent still raises, the situation is not very favorable.
This is said because you have a very strong hand but are not really confident enough to continue adding money to the pot with only 2 strong hole cards.
When deciding to take the risk to play through in the next turn or river rounds, the odds in Poker of maintaining an advantage from the pair A K is very low.
Classification of SPR Levels in Poker
Depending on the opponent’s tight or loose playing style, the classification of SPR levels will change.
However, currently, the majority of players agree with the following classification:
- Low SPR: From 0 – 6
- Medium SPR: From 7 – 17
- High SPR: From 17 and above
Each level is suitable for different hands along with various ways to play Poker.
Low SPR
With a low risk ratio, you should play when holding medium hands such as:
- Overpairs
- Top pair
- Bottom two pair
Typically, when having such hands, players do not want to put too large a pot because the more you bet, the lower the chances of having a good hand decrease.
You absolutely should not become pot committed by playing with a full stack from the beginning.
Medium SPR
Compared to the low ratio, medium SPR requires players to hold stronger hands such as:
- Top two pair
- Sets
- Good drawing hands
- Flush and straight
To play effectively, you can go all-in frequently so that the profit lies within the range of 7 to 16 to have many good hands in the next rounds.
High SPR
Finally, players with a high SPR will have good results if they hold strong hands like:
- Sets
- Strong drawing hands
- Strong flush and straight
Especially when the stakes are high, and you want to ensure you have the nut or a good draw to the nut, the more players act in the betting round, the better.
Note: Do not put too much money into the pot based on intuition; it should be based on the winning odds.
How to Achieve a Good SPR for Beginners
Depending on the hand you have at the flop round, the strategy for playing appropriately will change.
To determine what is a reasonable action post-flop, players must adjust the SPR in the following two ways:
Effective Pre-Flop Raise Management
Many players often mistakenly believe that they must raise strongly pre-flop to have a good SPR.
However, this is a mistake because just by managing your capital effectively, winning will be within reach.
For example, raising 3 BB after having a starting hand in the following situation:
- You need a pair of A K
- All players have a stack of 100
- NLHE game is 1/2
- When you raise 3 BB from Position Poker – Position MP, if the opponent in CO calls, you will have a fairly high SPR of 6.3.
This is a good ratio for players to go all-in with their entire stack when hitting a big hand. Especially effective when the opponent plays tightly.
To make it easier to visualize and compare, we have a similar example, but this time you bet 6 BB, then the SPR is 3.3 – a relatively low ratio.
Thus, players will feel more comfortable putting all their chips into the pot from the flop or turn.
Do Not Jump into the Pot
The second method, which is also an effective way to manage SPR, is not to jump into the pot.
When players hold small pairs like 33, and the effective stack size is low, whether you call or raise will not yield high effectiveness.
This means you should fold weak hands and be ready with suited connectors.
Evaluating SPR Effectiveness When Playing Poker
From the above sharing, you surely understand the importance of determining SPR when playing Poker at a casino or online bookmaker.
The pot size greatly influences the actions of players in each betting round, and of course, you still have the opportunity to change them.
What players need to do is clearly define their direction and strategy from the beginning, avoiding unnecessary mistakes that could lead to significant losses.
Notes When Using SPR in Poker
To enhance the effectiveness of using risk ratios in the game, you should pay attention to the following factors:
- Do not spend too much time calculating SPR; instead, estimate it in ranges to categorize as low, medium, or high.
- For large pairs like AK or AQ, having an SPR below 5 is very good.
- The larger the ratio, the more opportunities you have to apply pressure, forcing players with large pairs to fold.
- Typically, small pairs like 44, 68 need to achieve an SPR above 10 to have a chance of winning money.
Conclusion
Thus, What is SPR Poker has been revealed by me in detail from A – Z through the formulas and benefits in the article.
This is the risk ratio on the player’s chance of winning, therefore the lower the SPR, the greater the opportunity for you to get rich from online Poker.
