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Mastering Poker Math Blog

Becoming a New Breed of Poker Player

6/30/2020

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The next several blogs will be about the history of poker, how to become a New Breed of Poker Player.  Let's get started!
“Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” ~ Stephen Hawking
Excelling in Texas No-Limit Hold’em is all about using as many of your advantages as possible to defeat opponents.   Those advantages have changed over time.    In this section we will review key events in the evolution of Texas No-Limit Hold’em and what is required today to become A New Breed of Poker Player.

 The Early Days of Poker
Mystery shrouds when Texas No-Limit Hold’em was invented, however it is thought to have started in the early 1900’s in Robstown Texas.
 
It gained traction when the early pioneers such as Doyle Brunson, Amarillo Slim, Johnny Moss and Bobby Baldwin played it.   These men had to learn the game relying on their knowledge of human behavior, intuition, tells, basic math skills, and table experience.   
 
There were no books, no internet, no courses, no training, no YouTube video’s, no hole cams, and no easy access to play.  At times these trail blazers would drive long distances just to get into a game.  Many of those games were in the back rooms of shady places.  Poker players were looked down upon.  There was little respect for them in regular society. 
 
When they won money, they would still have to avoid being robbed or beaten.  Their sheer passion and force of will helped them to become excellent players. It was truly a time of the Wild West in the poker world. 
 
The first World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event was in 1970 with only 7 entrants.  Johnny Moss was the winner.   Poker has grown exponentially since.

In the next blog we will cover the importance of books, hole cams and RFID Technology in the growth of poker.  

Stay tuned!

Chuck

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The Rule of 2 and 4

6/29/2020

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"The majority of players are looking for reasons to fold.  I am looking for reasons to play."  ~ Daniel Negreanu
The Rule of 2 and 4 are quick shortcuts to help us work out the percentage needed to get a draw in Texas No-Limit Hold'em.  These shortcuts aren’t exact.  However, they are good enough for doing quick probabilities in our head at the tables.

The Rule of 2
The Rule of 2 states: Multiply your number of outs by 2 to get the approximate percentage of a draw you have on the turn or the river.   

For example, let's say you have a flush draw after the flop. 
  • There are 2 cards of the same suit in your hand and 2 cards of the same suit on the board. 
    That makes 4 cards to a flush. 
  • There are 13 cards to a suit, and 9 cards (outs) that can help you make a flush (13 - 4 = 9).
  • Use the Rule 2 to approximate your percentage of hitting a flush on the next card.
    2 x 9 = 18% probability of getting your flush. 


The exact calculation is:
  • There are 13 cards to a suit, and 9 cards (outs) that can help you make a flush (13 - 4 = 9).
  • There are 52 cards in the deck minus 2 cards in your hand and 3 cards on the board.
  • This leaves 47 cards remaining (52 - 5 = 47).
  • (9/47) = 19% probability of getting your flush.

The Rule of 2 works because there are 52 cards in the deck
 and 52 goes into one hundred approximately twice.


The Rule of 4
The Rule of 4 is used when you are considering an all-in move after the flop and will see both the turn and river cards.  Multiply your number of outs by 4 to get the approximate percentage of a draw.
 
Like the Rule of 2 example,  you have a flush draw after the flop. 
  • There are 2 cards of the same suit in your hand and 2 cards of the same suit on the board. 
    That makes 4 cards to a flush. 
    There are 13 cards to a suit, you have 9 cards (outs) remaining that can help you make your flush (13 - 4 = 9).
  • Use the Rule 4 to approximate your percentage of hitting a flush on the next two cards.
    4 x 9 = 36% probability of making your flush. 


The exact calculation is as follows:
  • There are 52 cards in the deck minus 2 cards in your hand and 3 cards on the board. 
    Consequently, there are 47 cards remaining (52 – 2 – 3 = 47).
  • There are 9 cards that will help you make your flush. 
    Thus, there are 47 - 9 = 38 cards that will not make your flush on the turn.
  • The probability of not making your flush on the turn is 38/47.   
  • Subtract one from the numerator and denominator for the river card which is 37/46.
  • Multiply both numbers together and subtract from 1 to determine your probability of making a flush.
  • 1- 38/47 x 37/46 = 35% probability of making your flush.

Once again, that’s close and useful for quick estimate at the tables.

Note: The Core Math Chapter of Mastering Poker Math provides more detail on how this equation is derived.

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Purpose of this Blog

6/19/2020

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The purpose of this blog is to discuss the importance of Poker Math in helping you gain a competitive edge in Texas No-Limit Hold'em.

It is designed to be EDUCATIONAL, ENTERTAINING and FUN!  There will be powerful  tips and tricks from my book Mastering Poker Math.  You will also learn such fascinating topics as the history of poker, key math concepts and general thoughts to educate and entertain. 

Your comments are "important to me" so that I can provide even more useful information to help you gain that all important competitive edge in poker.  Thanks for stopping by...and please come back often!

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    Chuck Clayton
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    This blog has been created to help you gain a competitive edge using poker math and how to integrate it with the rest of your game.  Enjoy!                             ~ Chuck Clayton

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  • Home
  • Special Report
  • Blog
  • Book
  • Course
  • Coaching
  • Math Quiz
  • Newsletter
  • Coaching
  • Poker Equity
  • The Rule of 2 and 4
  • Evolution of a Hand
  • Getting Familiar with the Cards
  • Think Like A Poker Pro
  • Chuck Clayton
  • Disclaimer
  • Special Report 1