Stack-to-Pot Ratio (SPR)
Stack-to-pot ratio, or SPR, is the ratio of the effective stack to the size of the pot. It tells you how many pots are left to bet, and strongly affects strategy.
The simple explanation
If the pot is 100 and the effective stack is 300, the SPR is 3. A low SPR means that you are close to being committed. A high SPR means that there is room for play after the flop.
A closer look
A low SPR, such as 4 or less, favors hands such as top pair and overpairs, since stacks go in easily. A high SPR favors hands with potential, such as sets and draws, that can win a big pot. SPR depends on the preflop action: single raised pots have higher SPRs than three-bet pots. It is used to plan how to play on the flop.
A practical example
The pot is 100 and the effective stack is 300. The SPR is 3.
Full explanation
Stack-to-pot ratio, or SPR, is the ratio of the effective stack to the size of the pot. It tells you how many pots are left to bet, and strongly affects strategy.
SPR is the effective stack divided by the pot.
Low SPR means commitment.
High SPR favors drawing hands and sets.
It depends on the preflop action.
Alternative spelling: Stack-to-Pot Ratio, Stack to Pot Ratio, SPR
The effective stack compared with the pot
No-limit Hold’em · Blinds 1/2 chips · No rake
The pot is 12. A has 100 behind and B has 200, so the effective remaining stack is 100. The stack-to-pot ratio is 100/12, about 8.33.
Read the example transcript
Player A has the button (BTN) and posts the 1-chip small blind (SB). Player B posts the 2-chip big blind (BB).
- Flop · Pot: 12 chips
The pot is 12. A has 100 behind and B has 200, so the effective remaining stack is 100. The stack-to-pot ratio is 100/12, about 8.33.
Board: KKing of hearts (Kh)88 of diamonds (8d)33 of clubs (3c)
- Player A BTN / SB AAce of clubs (Ac)KKing of diamonds (Kd) · Stack 100 · In this round 0
- Player B BB QQueen of hearts (Qh)QQueen of diamonds (Qd) · Stack 200 · In this round 0
Cards are shown for learning; totals are displayed before pot collection.