Push Equity Question

[Timer]

In the following formula, why do you set PE equal to zero?

[ QUOTE ]
Your Push Equity (PE) is Fold Equity plus Win Equity minus Lose Equity.

PE = [(1.5)(1 - C)] + [(C)(W)(S + 0.5)] - [(C)(1 - W)(S - 0.5)]

If we set PE to zero and solve for S, we get

S = (C - 1.5) / [(2)(C)(W) - C]

[/ QUOTE ]

[wreckem]

Hi Timer,

The next sentence of the article states:

“This equation gives you the maximum stack size for a given starting hand and opponent calling standards with which you can profitably push.”

In other words, by setting PE to zero we can determine the stack size for which pushing and folding have equal expectation. If your stack is smaller than this number, pushing has greater expectation than folding. If your stack is larger, folding is the better play.

Dennis Bragg