In poker, VPIP stands for “Voluntarily Put In Pot.”
It shows how often a player chooses to put money into the pot before the flop — not counting forced bets like blinds or antes.
Simply put, VPIP measures how active a player is before the flop. It’s a key number you’ll see in poker tracking software or on your HUD (Heads-Up Display) when playing online poker.
Why VPIP Is Important
VPIP helps you understand how tight or loose a player is:
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Low VPIP (around 10–20%) → Tight player who only plays strong hands.
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High VPIP (above 40–50%) → Loose player who plays many weak hands.
This makes VPIP one of the best tools to analyze your opponents — and even your own style.
How to Use VPIP in Your Poker Strategy
Once you know a player’s VPIP, you can adjust your approach:
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Against high VPIP players: They play too many hands. You can raise more often and bluff strategically because they’ll call with weaker cards.
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Against low VPIP players: They play only premium hands. You can fold more often or attack when they show weakness.
Example:
- If a player has a VPIP of 70%, they’re entering most pots with weak hands. You can widen your own range and still have an edge.
- If another player has a VPIP of 15%, they’re likely waiting for top-tier hands — so give their raises more respect.
What’s a “Good” VPIP?
There isn’t one perfect number — it depends on the game type:
| Game Type | Typical VPIP | Style |
|---|---|---|
| Full-ring (9 players) | 15–20% | Tight |
| 6-max (6 players) | 20–30% | Balanced |
| Heads-up | 40%+ | Aggressive |
The fewer players at the table, the higher your VPIP should usually be.
Can You Use VPIP in Live Poker?
VPIP is most accurate in online poker, where software tracks every hand automatically.
In live poker, you can’t measure VPIP precisely — but you can still estimate it by watching how often a player enters pots voluntarily.
VPIP in Poker – Examples
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“He noticed that his opponent had a high VPIP, showing a loose playing style.”
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“Her low VPIP meant she only played top hands.”
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“By studying VPIP, he adjusted his betting strategy and improved his win rate.”
VPIP in Poker – FAQ
What is VPIP in poker?
It stands for “Voluntarily Put In Pot,” showing how often a player chooses to put money in before the flop.
How does VPIP impact my strategy?
It helps you read your opponents’ playing styles and adjust your own moves for better results.
What is a good VPIP percentage?
For full tables, 15–20% is considered solid. In shorter games, it can be 25–35% or higher.
Can I use VPIP in live poker games?
Not directly, but you can watch players’ habits to estimate how often they enter pots voluntarily.
