EV (Expected Value)

Expected Value (EV) is the mathematical average outcome of a decision if it were repeated infinitely. Every poker decision has an EV — positive EV (+EV) decisions are profitable long-term, negative EV (-EV) decisions are losing. EV = (probability of winning × amount won) - (probability of losing × amount lost). GTO strategy maximizes EV against optimal opponents, while exploitative strategy maximizes EV against specific opponent tendencies.