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Poker Term

SB AFq

SB AFq

Term: Small Blind Attack Frequency SB AFq The frequency at which the player in the small blind chooses to bet or raise on post-flop actions other than folding.

Overview

SB AFq is an abbreviation for Small Blind Aggression Frequency. It refers to the frequency with which a player in the small blind position, when facing an action post-flop (or sometimes pre-flop as well), actively bets or raises instead of checking or calling. It measures how aggressive the small blind is when they have an opportunity to attack.

Calculation

AFq is typically defined as (number of bets + number of raises) / (number of bets + number of raises + number of checks + number of calls). Note that folds are not included in the denominator, so AFq reflects a player’s tendency to attack when they have not folded. SB AFq specifically tracks data for the small blind position.

Positional Impact

The small blind is one of the positions at a disadvantage post-flop, as it must act first in all subsequent betting rounds. Therefore, small blind players often adopt tighter or more aggressive strategies to compensate for the positional disadvantage. A high SB AFq may indicate that the player actively attacks even from a disadvantageous position, trying to apply pressure through bets or raises; a low AFq may suggest the player tends to passively check or call.

Application

In opponent analysis, SB AFq can help evaluate the style of a small blind player: if the value is significantly above average (e.g., over 40%), the opponent may be an aggressive player who frequently bets even out of position; if it is low (e.g., below 30%), the player may lean conservative and check more often. It works best when combined with VPIP (Voluntarily Put Money In Pot) and PFR (Pre-Flop Raise).

Notes

  • AFq does not directly reflect a player’s pre-flop aggression; it primarily targets post-flop actions.
  • When the sample size is small, SB AFq can fluctuate significantly and should be evaluated with a sufficient number of hands.
  • Different poker tracking software may have slight variations in how AFq is calculated; it is advisable to unify the software standard when comparing.

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