Poker Mathematics

The very end objective of poker – that of wining the Pot , links Poker to mathematical probability and permutation combination rules. Betting and raising by players depend on their perception of the probability that his / her hand has a stronger ranking than that of the other players in the game as well as the various combinations possible with open cards on the table. The deck of 52 cards used in poker helps in restricting the number of permutation and combinations.

The poker variant being played also has a strong correlation with the mathematics of the game. For example in Texas Hold’em after the flop an individual player has 2 hole cards open along with the 3 community cards open on the desk .This means 5/7 or ~72% of the hand is defined in the first round itself .While in Omaha post the flop 7/9 or 78% of the players hand is defined .

But does this mean that every Poker player needs to be a mathematical nerd. I sincerely don’t think so. A bit of luck and common sense may well suffice.

A Brief History of Poker

As has been the case with many games, the origins of poker are unclear. Poker may have had its origins from the 18th century games of brag (England), pochen (“to bluff” in German), and poque (French for “pocket”) all of which had bluffing, betting and poker hand ranking as part of their poker game play.

Poker reached American shores in the 1700s, where it spread and acquired its modern name. Poker was a popular game on Mississippi River steamboats and in the saloons of the Western frontier during the gold rush. The 18-1900s saw newer variants of poker being adopted, the 52-card deck becoming standard and official rules being drawn up.

Modern poker tournament play became popular in American casinos after the World Series of Poker began in 1970. Starting with just a handful of players, the tournament grew into one of the largest poker events in the world. Notable champions from these early WSOP tournaments include Johnny Moss, Amarillo Slim, Bobby Baldwin, Doyle Brunson, and Puggy Pearson.

A spot in the WSOP today costs each entrant $10,000. However many players can avoid the entry fee by winning smaller satellite tournaments to get in. The 2003 and 2004 WSOP champions, Chris Moneymaker and Greg Raymer, respectively, won their seats to the main event by winning online satellites. When Late Night Poker first appeared on Channel 4 in 1999, it revolutionized people's perception of poker. Poker in the 21st century has also moved into the E-domain as well with online game rooms filled with whales and newbie’s alike. Great media and internet coverage has invariably led to poker becoming a spectator sport with a huge following worldwide.

Online poker

Online poker is the game of poker played virtually over the internet. Online poker rooms have contributed greatly to the increasing popularity of the game all over the world. Traditional brick and mortar casinos generally hesitate to promote poker as they feel that other games of chance such as slot machines are far more profitable.

Even though the rake of a traditional casino is quite high the cost of running the poker room is even higher. Online casinos, on the contrary attract lower overhead costs. Players are allowed to play for low stakes and freeroll tournaments offered on most of the poker sites are a major attraction to beginners as it allows them to play and win at the game without paying any entry fee.

This, however, does not mean that online poker rooms run a loss. The rake is collected from most real money ring game pots, calculated as a percentage of the pot based on a sliding scale and capped at some maximum fee. Every online poker room has its own rake structure.

Multi-table and imprompt sit-and-go tournaments are charged an entry fee around five to ten percent of the tournament entry fee is added to the cost of the tournament.

Online poker sites sometimes offer games like blackjack or side bets on poker hands where players play against “the house” for real money, where the odds are usually in favor of the house.

Online poker sites invest the money that players deposit. This is a good source of revenue as the sites do not have to pay interest on players’ bankrolls.

Playing poker with players who write poker articles

Most poker players would think that it is a bad idea to play with a poker player who has more education than you do in the game of poker, I'm the direct opposite. I like and enjoy sitting and watching these players put their skills to work. You can learn many different tips and secrets that it would take you years to learn on your own, cut time off on your learning stages of poker game.

It is a great resource and a great way to improve your poker game in short period of time. Look at them as virtual mentors and they can teach you what to do and when. Learn from those who have been there and done that, why recreate the wheel?

If you don't have the money to sit with these particular players, you can sit and watch their poker table instead. Learn for free, there is no other better way to improve your game of poker.

Brushing up on your poker skills!

Experience is the key to success for it comes from doing and involves taking risks.  This is especially true in poker for you are playing with your own money; brushing up on your skills is of immediate importance.

Understanding the poker odds on each hand dealt, knowing how your opponent’s moves require hands - on involvement.  Listening to your own instincts and being able to exercise its own vision and creativity is a major joy of playing poker.  Don’t disagree as yet, because I would like to tell you one thing for the record: Instincts executed intelligently in a poker hand are the products of poker analysis, reviewing previous hands you played could make the difference of winning or losing in the long run.

These are just some of the skills one has to master when he is into poker and he can only transcend them through hands- on experiences. If you really wish to become a master of an art like “The Art of Playing Poker”, technical knowledge gained through reading poker books, watching poker tournaments & TV poker shows aren’t enough. Man, you have to put your time on the poker table, effort, and money on it. My point is kept on brushing up your poker plays for this is the blueprints for success.

Observing your opponent!

Watching the opponents, making quick adjustments and knowing when to give up poker hands and games. Opponents are often predictable. When you first sit down in a poker game most poker players do not scan the table and make notes.

The most important thing that you need to know about your opponents is whether they are capable of bluffing or not and taking down an unexpected pot. Make a mental note of each poker player you have played with previously in the past. Due to the success of poker on television a larger number of players seem be bluffing. This is due to seeing the players on television bluff. They do not realize that the most dramatic hands are for the viewing public and what is more dramatic then the bluff? 

When an opponent who you do not think can bluff check raises you. What do you think he has in his hand? It is close to the nuts. You just have to figure out how close compared to your hand. Second pair may be enough as they might of checked raised with a flush draw trying to get you to lay down your hand. Play the hand over in your head before releasing your hand.

Poker is an investment game!

As you know online poker is a simple investment game. Yes you’re making a series of small investments, each with a profitable and or negative investment side. These are called equity. When you invest with a profitable equity you make money in the long run and when you invest with negative equity you lose money in the long run.

Poker players can start for free and play free roll poker tournaments right up to as much money as you would like to invest. My suggestion though is to start small. Invest $100 or Less and get your feet wet on the poker tables. If you have 100 dollars my suggestion is you play $.50 and 1 and learn. 

Keep working at the investment game (poker) till you become proficient. Then as you become good make bigger and bigger investments at the poker tables. Learn as you go along and try to improve your poker game. So register today for free and remember to have fun but invest wisely.