can someone explain folding equity?

[Sam T.]

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ok...i know this is a newb question... but could someone just answer this?...

from reading all the posts... i gather that folding equity is basically just how likely you are to get someone to fold... i.e. if you've got 320 chips and blinds are at 1/200, you've got none... but if you've got 2000, then you've got a lot... is this pretty much how it is?

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It also depends on:
- The size of your opponent's stack. If you have 2000 on the button, and the BB has 50 left after posting, you (should) have zero folding equity. On the other hand, if he has 10k (say it's a three table SnG), you don't have as much as if he had 4k.

-The stage of the tournament. Against typical players, the closer you get to the money, the higher your folding equity is. Most players will try to fold their way into the money, which is why stealing on the bubble is so profitable.

Sam