USES OF POKER THEORY
Poker theories help us gain deeper understanding of inherent elements of the game.
They help us develop a perspective of the game. Some of the current poker theories are given in the theoretical table.
As you can see, each of these different theoretical perspectives essentially focuses on the key variable of some particular facet of the game.
No one of these theoretical perspectives provides a complete theory of poker, but each of them has its uses in developing a complete understanding of the game.
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES AND GAME CONDITIONS |
|
Perspective |
Game Conditions |
Poker is a struggle among the players for the rights to the ante . |
Very tight, tight |
Money flows from bad players to good players. |
All game types |
Poker is a game of money and odds. |
Loose and very loose game |
Poker is a game of partial information. |
Very tight, tight, typical loose, aggressive |
Poker is a game of strategy and deception. |
Very tight, tight, typical aggressive |
Poker is a contest between a made hand and a drawing hand. |
Tight or typical |
Poker is a game of kickers and hand domination. |
Tight or very tight |
Poker is a game of manipulation and pressure. |
Typical, loose, very loose |
USES OF POKER MODELS
A poker model helps us explore the implications of a particular theory.
It’s through the analysis of either a formal mathematical model or a conceptual model of a theory that we can uncover the strengths and weaknesses of a particular theoretical perspective.
A good poker model isn’t going to try to reflect every nuance and quirk of a poker game.
We can use explicit poker models, inspired by the appropriate theoretical perspective, to analyze the effects of a wide range of decisions-from deciding whether to play in a particular game or deciding whether to raise with an A,A.
Pick the Right Table / Picking a Seat / Theories of Poker / Betting Theory: The Odds
A Theory of Starting Hand Value
A Theory of Flop Play: Counting Outs and Evaluating Draws
The Dynamics of Game Conditions / Table Image / Player Stereotypes
Women and Poker / Spread-Limit Games / Double Bet on the End Games / Kill Games
Short-handed Games / Tournaments / No-limit and Pot-Limit Poker
