Question for AG: The Mathematics of Poker by Chen/Ankeman

I always sucked @ math, always. Only thing I was ever good at was Literature but I still have a sense for fractions/math thinking: thing is, it doesn't come that fast. I know that I won't be able to develop to my full potential if I can't comprehend or easily understand the underlying math of poker, namely at other forms than NL (LHE, Omaha, etc.).

Would this be a good way to better my poker math or would it be too much ? If it's not suitable, any other book you can recommend ? As is already clear, I've read TOP (probably on a weekly basis I go check out something in it...), so I'm really looking for math problems.

THX !

Texas Hold’em Odds and Probabilities by Matt Hilger

and/or

Killer Poker by the Numbers by Tony Guerrera

From the library thread:

Thanks, will probably pick the Hilger one since it is available in PS FPP store. But does Guerrera/vorhaus touch on Omaha at all or is it (again) geared towards NL only ?

hold'em

Meh.

Would you say Chen's book requires prerequisite knowledge of complicated maths or could we actually figure it out through the denseness (new word?) of it?

ie would it make sense to me or does it require like college/uni-level probability knowledge?

Could you make sense of the page i posted? I can't read it, but then, I was an English Lit major.
I just think your money is better spent elsewhere.

I disagree, I received TMOP for christmas from my mum and I think it's great. Super interesting probability stuff that you should know anyway imo even though, I concede, it's more of a maths book than a poker book in parts. As far as having to be a maths expert to understand it, concepts are explained systematically and in an order so that knowledge and understanding is built up chronologically throughout the chapters starting with the basics. So only a bit of basic mathematical understanding and common sense is needed really. Oh, and patience - it's sure as hell not a quick read and if you skim over parts you're likely to not be able to understand following sections.

But then again as a maths geek my opinion is a little bias

Well I am too which is why I asked. I'll probably take a quick peek at it next time I'm at a bookstore. Thanks for the help ag and jake

Ooo and I meant to specify that Chapter 1 is particularly awesome, even if you know most of it already - very well explained imo.

kathy liebert recommends 'density'

It's more about understanding how to play with a game theoretical approach in mind rather than the typical focus of math in poker which is geared strictly towards pot odds and the like which is an easy enough concept to get without a book. It definitely gave me a deeper understanding of poker strategy and optimizing play. It's a great book for what it is, but it's practical application is something you have to work to incorporate into your game and at a deeper level. I think it's more useful against very good poker players, against weaker opponents you're generally still better off using exploitative strategies though you may still modify your game a bit to make it more optimal strategy even against players who only minimally adjust to exploitative strategies.

Keep reading -- it gets much more complicated in terms of the math.

I have an engineering degree and I'd say it's pretty dense stuff.

Not recommended by me.

I have indeed read it all. Chapter 1 stands out to me as particularly well-explained as well as containing most of the fun parts of probability

Here's a review I did on Hilger's book:

Stick's Poker Blog: Book Review: "Texas Hold'Em Odds and Probabilities" by Matthew Hilger

In it I said it was a little bit tough for me, but by the looks of AG's attachment from TMOP, Hilger's book is probably a good bit easier. I think all the charts in the back of the book make it worth it.

I like it, but it's a maths book really and not a poker book. Definately have a look at it in the store if you're unsure.