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Poker glossary

SPR

What it means

SPR stands for stack-to-pot ratio. It compares the effective stack size to the current pot size, usually on the flop. The formula is simple: effective stack divided by pot.

How it works at the table

If the pot is $100 and the shortest remaining stack is $500, the SPR is 5. If the pot is $100 and the effective stack is $150, the SPR is 1.5. Lower SPR spots make it easier to commit with strong one-pair hands. Higher SPR spots leave more room for postflop maneuvering.

Strategic context

SPR changes how hands play. Top pair may be strong enough to stack off at an SPR of 2, but much more fragile at an SPR of 12. Big pairs, overpairs, and strong draws gain value in low-SPR pots, while speculative hands often want deeper stacks and higher SPR.

Common mistakes

Players often judge hand strength without looking at stack depth. A hand that is an easy all-in in a 3-bet pot can become a cautious pot-control hand in a deep single-raised pot. Ignoring SPR leads to overplaying medium-strength hands when stacks are deep.

SPR is tied to stack size, position, pot odds, and implied odds. It is one of the quickest ways to understand how committed players are likely to become after the flop.