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Poker Theory and Analytics

90 points| mlla | 10 years ago |ocw.mit.edu | reply

47 comments

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[+] brightball|10 years ago|reply
There's a book called Theory of Poker that covers all of this. Gets into all of the math involved, how it changes throughout the game, how it changes in different games, etc.

Basically it boils down to a solid system in limit poker where raises are controlled. One huge raise in a no limit game skews the pot odds so badly that mathematically it almost always means you should fold and that makes no limit a great game for the WSOP.

[+] merlincorey|10 years ago|reply
If you're only taking into account direct pot odds for NLHE in 2015, you're missing out on a lot.

I like the book "The Mathematics of Poker" by Chen.

[+] icpmacdo|10 years ago|reply
What would be the best way to learn this content. Would you take notes while watching the lectures or try and pay close attention to the videos and read the class notes later, or something else?

What are other poker books, classes or tutorials that are high quality?

[+] treme|10 years ago|reply
Super System is outdated. Sklansky is good but extremely dry.

If you are mathematically inclined, Mathematics of Poker by Bill Chen (one of the lecturers in the linked post) is one of best books to get introduced to modern poker theory & math.

TwoPlusTwo is the biggest community but their quality has gone south for many years. Currently the hottest content/community is on http://www.runitonce.com community. Their $10/mo membership delivers serious value for any serious poker enthusiasts.

[+] dmansen|10 years ago|reply
A good starter book that won't teach bad habits is Professional No Limit Holdem by Ed Miller et al: http://www.amazon.com/Professional-No-Limit-Hold-em-I/dp/188...

Once you master the basics, Miller's Poker's 1% (http://www.amazon.com/Pokers-1%25-Secret-Keeps-Players/dp/14...) and Janda's Applications of No Limit Holdem (http://www.amazon.com/Applications-No-Limit-Hold-Matthew-Jan...) explore the game from a game theoretical perspective - interesting if you want to go deeper.

[+] drham|10 years ago|reply
The two plus two poker forums [1] are one of the best resources for learning about poker, especially so for online poker but live poker as well.

[1] http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com

[+] rubiquity|10 years ago|reply
The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky is the SICP of poker.
[+] jib|10 years ago|reply
Harrington on Hold'em is a good starting place for (tournament) poker. It's an old book but it teaches solid fundamentals.
[+] jamestnz|10 years ago|reply
Doyle Brunson's "Super/System" was an early and influential book on poker strategy. It's been a while since I read it, but I recall it contains a general game and strategy overview, followed by chapters dedicated to the different Poker games (stud, draw, etc... and importantly: no-limit hold'em). Though outdated in some respects (first published in the 70s) it's considered a classic in the field, worth a look IMHO.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super/System

[+] tP5n|10 years ago|reply
Mostly everything Phil Gordon, David Sklansky and Ed Miller put out over the years. poker differs a lot in its variants, atleast to newcomers, so it's probably best to pick up one variant (no limit hold'em I'm looking at you) and start from there.
[+] saryant|10 years ago|reply
I'm just getting into poker so I can't claim to be an expert but I've been enjoying Lee Jones' Winning Low-Limit Hold'em.
[+] forloop|10 years ago|reply
Can anyone comment on why poker is illegal in most of the U.S.?

I'm in the UK, and the government leans on the side of restricting freedom, yet poker-for-money is totally legal here.

[+] boomshucka|10 years ago|reply
Poker is in fact legal in a lot of the US in some form. Whether it be indian casinos or regular casinos or legal poker only rooms, the majority of the population has access (say, within a 1 hr drive) to a public game of poker which is legal.
[+] marincounty|10 years ago|reply
Actually, a part of me wishes all gambling was illegial in the U.S., including the lottery. I have seen the damage it does to poor, and middle class families. The cards are stacked against us here; it's real easy to end up homeless.

It's fine when your young, and single, but I have know families that lost everything, and as I said before; we don't have much of a safety net.

(I haven't traveled much in the U.S., but every town I been in has had legal poker tables. I think poker is legal here?)

[+] jgorn|10 years ago|reply
Has anyone taken this course that can speak to its content and usefulness?

Is this aimed at those completely new to Poker Theory?

[+] vog|10 years ago|reply
Also, are there real-world applications outside gambling, or as improved negotiations in politics/business?