Help with David Sklanksy's Thoery of Poker

[filmsimon]

Hi,

I'm reading Theory of Poker at the moment and there's a paragragh early on in the book that I'm a bit stuck with.

Quote from book

'Mathematical expectation can also show that one poker play is less unprofitable than another. If, for instance, you think you will aveage losing 75 cents, including the ante, by playing a hand, you should play on because that is better than folding if the ante is a dollar.'

The text is on page 13 under the 2nd chapter with sub heading Mathematical expectation in poker.

Could anyone help me understand this bit? I have a good grip on the rest of the text in this chapter but I don't seem to be able to connect the dots on this one paragragh.

any help would be great

thanks

[nihil2501]

If you will lose $1 by not playing hand X and you will lose $0.75 by playing hand X, what would you rather do with hand X?

[filmsimon]

ah right nice one, cheers for that