Poker Math That Matters

Looking at this flop, we can see our hand has a lot of ways to
make a very strong hand. Any diamond will give us a flush.
Also, a 3 or an 8 will give us the best straight possible. That's a
lot of cards that can give us a very powerful hand. Now, let's
pretend the pot is $75, and we have $1,000 left in our stacks.
Villain makes a $60 bet.
Now, let’s go through the two keys to good poker and fill in the
blanks. First of all, what are our assumptions about his hand
range, i.e. what hands do we believe he can have? Just as we get
started answering that, he flips his hand over for some reason
and shows us A♠K♠. Well, no need for assumptions now. We
know his hand. The next part is our assumptions about his
strategy, i.e. how he plays that hand. Just as we start to think
about that, he truthfully declares to us that he’ll not fold to any
size raise we make. He’s ready to get all-in with the hand.
Again, we have no need for assumptions. We know his strategy.
So, the first key to good poker is covered. Now let’s change the
rules to this game just a bit and say we can either fold or push.
We have no other option. Which is the best decision of the two?
Now, you may answer fold or push, but you need to understand
why. Now let’s change his hand and make it K♦Q♦. We’ll use
the same strategy and rules as before. Now are you going to fold
or push? Why? Are you certain?
Notice that even though the first key to good poker is completely
answered, we still are not ready to play good poker because we
do not know how to make the best decision. And in real poker,
all the hand-reading in the world will do you no good if you do
not know what to do with the information you gain. So, making
the best decision is the most important key to focus on at first.
And notice it’s the key that’s most improved through time spent
away from the tables. This means most of your time as a
beginner should be spent away from the tables. Many beginners
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