Expert Winning Strategies for Tournament Poker Part 4

Human Insights Missing from Data

In September 2016, Tricia Wang gave an excellent Ted Talk called The Human Insights Missing from Data.  She studies and advises companies on the patterns of how people use technology.
 
In her enlightening speech, Ms. Wang explains why many large companies make bad decisions, even when they have access to unprecedented amounts of data. 
 
Tricia Wang provides a powerful example when she worked for Nokia and doing field research.  At the time, Nokia was one of the largest cell phone companies in the world.  They dominated emerging markets like China, Mexico, and India. 

Ms. Wang had done much investigation on how low-income people use technology, especially with her China fieldwork.
 
She observed how the poor people of China were drawn to technology.  This group was fascinated with iPhones (and other smartphones) that allowed them entry into a high-tech life.  

The people were willing to use a large part of their income to get this amazing technology. Ms. Wang realized that even the poorest in China wanted smartphones.   Her research strongly indicated a significant change was coming.
 
Tricia Wang presented her data and insights to Nokia.  They balked because the big data they were using didn't tell them that the poor wanted smartphones. 

The large volumes of data Nokia had gathered looked at previous trends and not where the market was headed.  Nokia had become too dependent on high tech and not enough on real-world expertise. 
The rest is history.  Nokia made a huge mistake by ignoring the boots on the ground, fact-finding, and analysis.  Instead, they listened to big data. 
 
Nokia's business fell off a cliff.  As of 2019, Nokia had only 16.1% of the cell phone market. This was the cost of not listening to the information uncovered from human observation.
 
A major takeaway is although massive amounts of data spit out from computers is essential, it must be tempered with experience, knowledge, research, intuition, analysis, and more.  
 
Never underestimate the human brain's power and its ability to bring insight and rational thought to data!
 
Now Back to Poker
Texas No-Limit Hold 'em is incredibly complex. Poker math is a significant part of the game, yet it must be merged with all of your other skills to unleash its full power.
 
Let's dig deeper.
 
Computer Programs and More
Today outstanding computer programs, tools, and techniques are used for training and for playing.
 
Here are some primary ones.  There is:

• Range analysis software (such as Flopzilla and Flop Falcon). 
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs (such as PokerSnowie Pro and Libratus).
• GTO solvers (such as PioSolver).
• Heads-Up Display (HUD). 
  • This is an application for the computer that collects and displays statistics about opponents. 
• The Independent Chip Model (ICM). 
  • This is a mathematical model used to calculate a player's overall equity in a tournament. 

 
All this technology has a place in Texas No-Limit Hold 'em.   
 
Nevertheless, our ability to use know-how, experience, intuition, and common sense are equally crucial. 
 
Computer programs aren't perfect since imperfect humans design them.  Depending on them without combining all of your other poker skills is a flawed path to success.  
 
In Summary
Poker math and data from computer programs, tools, and techniques all have their place in Texas No-Limit Hold 'em.  Yet, to become a top player, this knowledge needs to be combined with the power of reading players, situations, and circumstances and making excellent decisions at the poker tables with incomplete information.