VPIP in Poker

Introduction

Poker is a game of probability. There are lots of Poker HUD software available online that provide table statistics to the players to help them make critical decisions while playing. If you want to achieve success on the card game tables, you have to learn about the commonly used statistical measures that help in evaluating opponents' playing styles.

In this blog, we are going to explain what VPIP is and how it is helpful in reading your fellow players’ gameplan.

What is VPIP?

VPIP in poker stands for ‘Voluntarily Put Money In Pot’. It is a highly important pre-flop stat used in Poker tracking software. VPIP gives great information about whether you are playing against a tight player or a loose player on the poker table.

Objective

The objective of calculating VPIP is to find out how loose or tight a player's starting hand selection is.

High Vs. Low VPIP

A higher VPIP indicates a looser player who plays more hands, while a lower VPIP suggests a tighter player who plays fewer hands.

VPIP Vs PFR

VPIP and PFR (Preflop Raise) are two poker statistical measures that help in reading opponents’ playing styles.

As mentioned above, with VPIP, it becomes easy to find out how frequently a player invests chips into the pot before the flop. On the other hand, PFR helps in determining the frequency of preflop raises of a player. It reflects aggression and initiative, as raising preflop requires confidence in the strength of one's hand or a strategic intent to put pressure on opponents.

1. Higher PFR - The player is actively raising and taking control of pots
2. Lower PFR – The player likes to play cautiously preflop

A player with a high VPIP and a low PFR might be entering many pots but often with passive actions like limping instead of aggressive raises. This indicates a player who is comfortable seeing flops but less inclined to take the lead in betting. A player with a high VPIP and a high PFR is likely both active and aggressive who frequently joins the pots.

Remember - posting the small and big blinds doesn't impact the VPIP metric. Since these actions are obligatory, they do not offer any important information about a player’s behavior. While calculating VPIP, you have to exclude all situations in which it is mandatory for a player to invest in the pot.

How to Play against Players with a Low VPIP

Here are some ‘tried-n-tested’ strategies to apply when you play against such players -

Exploit Their Tight Gameplay

As your opponent is playing fewer hands, you can exploit this by raising the bet more often when you are in position. This puts pressure on them to play hands out of their comfort zone or fold, giving you an edge over time.

Steal Blinds

With tighter opponents, stealing blinds becomes more profitable. You should look for opportunities to raise the bet from the late position, especially when the tight players are in the blinds.

Watch for Patterns

Although they play fewer hands, you need to observe if there are any patterns in their play. For example, do they always raise when they have a strong hand? Do they tend to limp with speculative hands? It is advisable to adjust your strategy accordingly based on these observations.

Avoid Bluffing Excessively

Since tight players are more likely to have strong hands when they do enter a pot, bluffing may be less effective against them. Instead, you should focus on value betting your strong hands.

Positional Awareness

You should pay close attention to your position relative to the tight players. You should try to play more pots in position against them, as it gives you more control over the hand and allows you to extract more value.

Be Patient

Playing against tight players can sometimes lead to slower-paced games. You need to be patient and wait for good opportunities to present themselves rather than forcing action.

Mind Your Bet Sizing

Adjust your bet sizes accordingly. Since tight players are more selective about the hands they play, you might need to size your bets larger to extract value from their stronger ranges.

How to Play against Players with High VPIP

Here’s how you can outwit players with high VPIP -

Narrow Your Starting Hand Range

Against loose players, you need to tighten up your starting hand selection. It is important to focus on playing premium hands that have a higher probability of winning against a wide range, such as high pairs (AA, KK), strong broadway hands (AK, AQ), and suited connectors in position.

Avoid Marginal Hands

Hands that may be profitable against tighter opponents may not fare well against looser players. You must avoid playing marginal hands out of position, as they are more likely to be dominated or face multiple opponents.

Pot Control

Be mindful of the size of the pot when playing against loose opponents. Avoid bloating the pot with marginal hands and focus on pot control when you have a medium-strength hand. This helps mitigate potential losses against their wide range.

Be Prepared for Variance

You can face higher variance when you play against loose players due to the unpredictable nature of their game. Therefore, you need to be mentally prepared to deal with swings in your bankroll. Also, you have to learn how to maintain emotion control to avoid going on tilt when facing bad beats.

Stay Selective

Most players easily get tempted to play maximum hands against opponents who play loose. Experienced players know the importance of maintaining discipline and sticking to a selective hand range. You should play only those hands that have a positive expected value in the long run.

Observation is Key

It goes without saying – you have to pay close attention to the gameplay of your fellow players.  By keeping a keen eye on their actions, you can identify patterns in their bets and read their tells

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good VPIP in poker?

Generally, a VPIP of 15% to 20% is considered solid in a full-ring cash game.

How is VPIP calculated in poker?

To calculate VPIP, you have to apply the following formula:

VPIP = Number of times a player puts money into the pot/number of hands he has played. If a player plays 100 hands and puts money in 25 hands, his VPIP is 25%.

What is the VPIP score?

The VPIP score is the percentage obtained by calculating the VPIP statistic. It represents the proportion of hands a player chooses to play preflop by voluntarily contributing chips to the pot.

What does a high VPIP mean?

In poker, a high VPIP means that the player tends to enter pots before the flop even with weak hands.  It indicates a looser and more aggressive playing style, where the player is comfortable playing a variety of hands.

Conclusion

VPIP gives you a good statistical idea about what type of player you are playing against and helps you ensure making calculated decisions quickly on the table. By employing the above-mentioned strategies in your gameplay, you can easily deal with the challenges posed by loose players and capitalize on their weaknesses.