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Is Math a Huge part of the game?
- 2-14-2008
Many poker players believe math is a major
factor when it comes to any kind of card game, and more specifically poker in
general. On the flip side, there are several pro's who believe math can
be helpful; however it is not a major factor when it comes to the game as a
whole. I will save my opinion for later, but let’s just look at some
situations where math skills are and are not helpful...unless you're Chris Ferguson.
Helpful
Using odds and probabilities, players often make certain decisions because math tells them they have a good shot at winning. There are two types of odds. Hand odds and money odds. There are situations where one might be getting the correct odds on making his or her hand; and other moments: when the player might be a long way from winning, but getting the right price on his or her money to make a call.ÂÂ
Unhelpful
I was reading a poker article last weekend written by a young world champion player fromEurope . Annette
Obrasted is a poker guru; she plays online poker a lot and has been very successful
at it. Annette moved her game to the live stage for the EPT Main Event and
after getting a sponsorship, Miss Obrasted took the tournament down. In
this article she was quoted saying: “I suck at math, I really don’t think it’s
a big part of the game". I somewhat agree with her on this
point. She just won an European Poker Tour Main Event; thus she probably did something
right. The term "Play the man not the cards" relate to my last
sentence.
Overall I believe mathematics (when calculated properly) can be very helpful on the felt. When you can calculate odds in your head, one has a better understanding of where he or she is at in a hand.
Helpful
Using odds and probabilities, players often make certain decisions because math tells them they have a good shot at winning. There are two types of odds. Hand odds and money odds. There are situations where one might be getting the correct odds on making his or her hand; and other moments: when the player might be a long way from winning, but getting the right price on his or her money to make a call.ÂÂ
Unhelpful
I was reading a poker article last weekend written by a young world champion player from
Overall I believe mathematics (when calculated properly) can be very helpful on the felt. When you can calculate odds in your head, one has a better understanding of where he or she is at in a hand.