Equity Realization
Equity realization is how much of its raw equity a hand actually wins, after the effect of betting and position.
The simple explanation
A hand's raw equity assumes both players see all the cards. In real play, you do not always reach showdown, so you may win more or less than the raw figure. Equity realization measures this. A hand in position usually realizes more of its equity than a hand out of position.
A closer look
Several factors affect it: position, stack depth, the shape of the hand, and how often you can bluff or be bluffed. Suited and connected hands can realize more of their equity than their raw numbers suggest, while dominated offsuit hands realize less. Estimating the percentage is difficult, but the idea guides which hands to play.
A practical example
A hand has 40 percent raw equity but realizes only 75 percent of it because of its poor position. Its realized equity is 30 percent.
Full explanation
Equity realization is how much of its raw equity a hand actually wins, after the effect of betting and position.
Equity realization is the ability of a poker hand to win a percentage of the pots equal to its raw all-in equity. Betting streets make the actual figure different.
Raw equity is the average percentage of the pot a hand expects to win against the opponent’s range if both reach showdown. Realized equity accounts for how often you actually get there, get bluffed or bluff.
Position is the most obvious factor. A player acting last tends to realize more of their equity, while a player out of position realizes less.
Players use the concept to explain why some hands are better than their raw numbers suggest and others worse.
Alternative spelling: Equity Realisation