THE WORLD'S #1 POKER MANUAL - Card Games

Poker Book, Poker Odds
Phase Ratio Increasing Ratio -->
Open (opening bet, $) (# callers)
pot, $
Raise (raise bet, $) (# callers)
pot, $
Final bet (last bet, $) (# callers)
pot, $
Bluff (# bluffs) (average # final callers)
#hands played
Slow pace --> Fast pace
Slow pace --> Fast pace
Slow pace --> Fast pace
Slow pace --> Fast pace
Few hands are played at the optimum betting pace. And if, for example, the betting pace is relatively
slow, the optimum pace will be somewhat faster. A person increases his investment and edge odds by
playing closer to the optimum pace.
In the Monday night game, John realizes that the betting in seven-card stud moves at a fast pace
during the early rounds, but slows considerably in the late rounds of big bets. He takes advantage
of that imbalance by laying back during the early rounds as players get drawn in and disclose
their betting tendencies. Then in the later rounds, he quickens the pace by betting aggressively.
But while playing closer to the optimum pace himself, John is careful not to correct the
imbalanced pace of other players.
The following ratios illustrate how John Finn estimates and influences the hand pace of the
Monday night, seven-card stud game.
Phase
Without John Finn
Estimated Ratios
Open $4 X 4 =.70
$23
Raise
(first round)
$5 X 3 =.40
$38
Pace
http://www.neo-tech.com/poker/part1b.html (11 of 13)9/17/2004 12:17:33 PM
With John Finn
Estimated Ratios
Too fast $3 X 5 =.68
$22
$5 X 4 =.48
$42