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Say Villains have KK and QQ. What is our EV?

Below winning % are from pokerstove.

As played, we have a 67% chance of winning $67.55. So our EV is $45.26.

If button folds to our all-in, and UTG+2 calls, we have a 82% chance of winning $55.25. So our EV is $45.31.

So in this plausible scenario, it is EV neutral. Except for one thing. By calling, we allow Villains to get away from their hands when an A falls. We're also putting in more money post-flop, when we could be behind to a flopped set, such as when a K or Q falls.


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When I first read this, my intuition said something like: "This situation can't possibly be EV neutral. After all, we have a better hand than the button." It seems to almost violate the nature of a "better hand" if it is not +EV for us if the inferior hand calls.

I think my intuition was correct, at least in this case. We may not want 12 callers, but we certainly want these two.

If both players call our all-in and the button hits his set we will still win a little over $15 because the button was the short stack in this hand. I won't do the math, but that clearly shifts the EV calculation in favor of rooting for both to call. And if the button's stack wasn't short, his extra money would also improve the EV for us if he called.

Note: I'm not advocating calling here instead of pushing. I'd push this PF every time. But, I'd do it because I expect both players to call and I want their money in the pot now, before they see the flop and suddenly decide they don't like their hands so much.