Like any variation of poker, draw poker (or classical poker) is also predisposed to probability-based decisions. The author presents the mathematics involved in this card game, with respect to the usage of the numerical results in players’ strategies. The whole presentation is focused on the practical aspect of the application of probability theory in draw poker and all the sections are such structured to allow the direct usage of the numerical results. This is why every section is packed with tables, some of them filling dozens of pages. This is not a math book, even if the supporting mathematics is present thorough, but a guide addressed to poker players, who can skip the math parts at any time and pick the needed results from tables. For those interested, the complete methodology, the way probability theory is applied and a part of the calculations are shown, so it teaches the player how to calculate odds for any situation for every stage of the game, even the numerical results are already listed in the book. Want to evaluate the probability of one opponent bluffing? Want to know the probability of at least one opponent holding a card formation higher than yours, at any moment of the game? Want to know the probability of hitting the desired formation if discarding in a certain way? All this information is in the book and is fully mathematically grounded. All probability results from this guide are obtained through compact mathematical formulas and not partial simulations on computer. These formulas are the outcome of one year of study, math work and tests. The author found the right probability model in which to apply the theory and conveniently quantify the card distributions in order to work out the draw poker probability formulas. They were built with an enough large range of variables to cover all possible situations and were never worked out before. Their numerical returns were gathered in three main categories of odds presented in the book: – Initial probabilities of the first card distribution for your own hand; – Prediction probabilities after first card distribution and before the second for your own hand; – Prediction probabilities for opponents’ hands. Every section ends with suggestive examples and there is also a special chapter with a lot of relevant gaming situations presented along with the odds of their associated events. Among author’s previously published books on mathematics of gambling, Draw Poker Odds seems to be the most practical one and that is because the author presents the results of applied probability in a gambling-behavioral manner that can influence the balance between the subjective strategies and the real odds in player’s favor.
Over the past few decades, gamblers have begun taking mathematics into account more seriously than ever before. While probability theory is the only rigorous theory that can model the hazards of gambling, even in idealized conditions, numerical probabilities are viewed not only as purely theoretical information, but also as a decision-making criterion, especially in gambling. This book presents the mathematics underlying games of chance and provides a precise account of the odds associated with all gaming events. It begins by explaining in simple terms the meaning of the concept of probability for the layman and goes on to become an enlightening journey through the mathematics of chance, randomness and risk. It then continues with the basics of discrete probability (definitions, properties, theorems and calculus formulas), combinatorics and counting arguments for those interested in the supporting mathematics. These mathematic sections may be skipped by readers who do not have a minimal background in mathematics; these readers can skip directly to the “Guide to Numerical Results” to pick the odds and recommendations they need for the desired gaming situation. Doing so is possible due to the organization of that chapter, in which the results are listed at the end of each section, mostly in the form of tables. The chapter titled “The Mathematics of Games of Chance” presents these games not only as a good application field for probability theory, but also in terms of human actions where probability-based strategies can be tried to achieve favorable results. Through suggestive examples, the reader can see what experiments, events and probability fields mean in games of chance and why and how probability formulas can be applied there. The main portion of this work is a collection of probability results for each type of game. Each game’s section is packed with formulas and tables. Each section also contains a description of the game, a classification of the gaming events and the applicable probability calculations. The primary goal of this work is to allow the reader to quickly find the odds for a specific gaming situation, in order to improve his or her betting/gaming decisions. Every type of gaming event is tabulated in a logical, consistent and comprehensive manner. The complete methodology and complete or partial calculations are shown to teach players how to calculate probability for any situation, for every stage of the game for any game. Here, readers can find the real odds, returned by precise mathematical formulas and not by partial simulations that most software uses. Collections of odds are presented, as well as strategic recommendations based on those odds, where necessary, for each type of gaming situation. The book contains much new and original material that has not been published previously and provides great coverage of probabilities for the following games of chance: Dice, Slots, Roulette, Baccarat, Blackjack, Five Card Draw Poker, Texas Hold’em Poker, Lottery and Sport Bets. No formal background in mathematics is necessary to read these sections, although familiarity with some probability and set theory notions is helpful. In most cases, readers will benefit from having some college math to follow the formulas here, but this is not a requirement because the numerical results are given as summaries and tables at the end of each section. Most of casino games are predisposed to probability-based decisions. This is why the approach is not an exclusively statistical one (like many other titles published on this subject), but analytical: every gaming event is taken as an individual applied probability problem to solve. A special chapter defines the probability-based strategy and mathematically shows why such strategy is theoretically optimal. The author is a recognized authority on casino mathematics.
333 Winning Hold’em Tips is the perfect antidote for players ready to improve their game and win money at hold’em-both in cardrooms and on the Internet. The author has thoroughly researched each hold’em tip, backing up its wisdom with his many years of experience playing low-stakes hold’em. Readers will find money making reminders in each of its six sections: 116 tips for beginners, 90 tips for hold’em tournaments, 67 tips for no-limit hold’em, 18 tips for cash games, 26 tips for limit hold’em, and 16 tips for playing short games.
You-ve got a pair of jacks. The dealer shows a seven. Do you split or stand? The Illustrated Guide to Blackjack will show you the right move to make in this and every possible blackjack scenario, using real-game situations and solutions that test and hone your skills to the max.
Former gambling pro Dennis Purdy not only reveals the best plays for each hand, he shows you why they work, with clear, concise logic, user-friendly charts, and a unique flashcard format that makes each lesson stick. Mastering essential strategy has never been faster or easier. Whether you-re visiting the tables for the first or the fiftieth time, The Illustrated Guide to Blackjack will teach you how to keep on winning, again and again.
Poker is much more than just a popular game. It is a world unto itself, populated with a multitude of colorful characters: professionals and amateurs, hustlers and dreamers. This royal flush of a collection brings together short stories, essays, poems, and excerpts from novels by a host of renowned writers — from the Wild West to present day — who have mined their personal experience of the game. Entertaining and enlightening, you’ll want to ante up for Read ‘Em and Weep.
With pieces by …
Nelson Algren
Andy Bellin
Anthony Holden
Katy Lederer
James Thurber
Barbara Tuchman
Billy Collins
Pete Dexter
Martin Amis
David Mamet
Herbert O. Yardley
A. Alvarez
…And More
