4th grade math level good for NLHE? Is this a bit of an exaggeration?

[BeastFromTheEast]

This really can't be true can it? The reason I ask is, my math skills leave much to be desired and I consider it to be one of the weaker aspects of my game. If I'm relatively unadvanced with math is a book like, "The Mathmatics of Poker" going to help me? I understand the words clear as day, but all those algerbraic symbols look like hyroglphics to me sometimes.

If this leads you to to wonder, if I'm deficient in mathmatics, why would I try to tackle a game so dependant on numbers? For me it was the mental warfare that is inherint in competitive games. I hate to lose but, I love the threat of losing if I don't play my best game. Also, I seem to have a knack for picking up on peoples tendancies, not just in poker, but in real life. I can usually tell when someones full of it or if they're sincere. I'm an exelent recognizer of patterns, which seems to help my reads. My mind is always busy trying to figure the best way of doing things and why things happen the way they do. Are there people in poker who exhibit these traits of mathmatical weakness who've succeeded or am I destined to play break even because of this?

Incedently just playing so many hands in the past months, along with a lot of reading, studying, joining CR and this forum have helped volumes.
Any hope for a donkey of math?

[Rek]

You don't need to be a math wizard but you do need an understanding of probability to improve. A lot of this is in-built. You can be a high school drop out and degenerate gambler and pick this up. All good gamblers have this even though they themselves may consider them to be uneducated.

Obviosly read up on probability it will help you no end

[BeastFromTheEast]

Good, I am a high school drop out and a degenerate gambler.

I know the basics off pot odds, implied, REM, ect. I know enough to make rough estimates, its just those grey areas that I have problems. I think that book with its algerbriac symbols made me feel semi retarded. I think I will pick it up though, if I learn one thing it was worth $30 bucks.

[Fermion5]

algebraic symbols look like hieroglyphics to you? all you need is basic algebra like subtraction, addition, multiplication, and division.

[phydaux]

If you can count (and discount) outs, convert your number of outs into a probability of your hand improving, and calculate pot odds, then you know all the math you "need."

As said, to be a winning poker player all you need is subtraction, addition, multiplication, and division. And that's not even algebra. It's just basic math.

[gregorio]

A book like Chen's Mathematics of Poker or lots of Sklansky's stuff are way more detailed and theoretical than anyone playing poker needs to know. You need to understand the basics like pot odds, but you don't need to know stuff like advanced game theory, or Chen's 2-page formula for Risk of Ruin of Normally Distributed Outcomes. If you could always see the other person's cards, and knew exactly how they reacted in each possible situation, then the person with lots of math would always make the optimal deicisions to maximize profit. But since you'll never have all that information, things you mention like picking up on peoples tendancies, etc., are more important that the advanced theory, jsut as long as you know the basics. You're time would be much better spent watching CR videos, playing poker, posting hands etc than trying to figure out what everything Chen is writing about in Math of Poker.

[BeastFromTheEast]

I like the Sklansky works, he breaks it down just enough, with out dragging you through the mind numbing basics. Have you guys read or heard anything about Johnny Chan's Casino Poker book or Stoxtraders winning tough holdem games?

[JacksonTens]

seriously you can beat games online up to 50/100 if u know no maths and are super xperienced id imagine.

But yeah ur a newbie, maths is not that tough. Im sure you can learn it, math in poker is easy.

JT

[JanelleBB7]

I keep my PC calculator opened when I am playing and type in the number of outs I have X 4 on the turn, X2 on the river.. if you can't add quickly in your head... having the calculator opened helps. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[Janis N.]

[ QUOTE ]
If I'm relatively unadvanced with math is a book like, "The Mathmatics of Poker" going to help me?

[/ QUOTE ]No, instead your head will asplode.

Play on a site that shows equity % when all-in, this will help the out calculations become second nature a bit. Or just stove a lot of your hands during play or post factum.