Are You a Card Shark or Math Geek

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razzor94

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  • #1
What play do you guys prefer ? I think you have to have both to be a winning player, but when the time comes to make a tough decision, do you rely on math or hand reading. How do these 2 plays apply to online and how to live games. Would you call a -EV situation if you have a solid read on your opponent ? How many players do you know that are CS and how many MG ?
 
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6bet me

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  • #2
I'm a maths geek (studying a maths degree at uni), but I'm starting to improve my card shark skills. My biggest strength in poker is knowing when to chase draws and how much to bet to price people out of draws, but the more I play, the more I become a "card shark" and gradually start to get a feel for how things usually play out without needing to rely upon the pure mathematical side of it.
 
jaimestaples

jaimestaples

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  • #3
I think that both are essential. The way it was explained to me a long time ago really stuck with me:

1. You use card reading/people reading/"feel player" skills while putting someone on a 'range' of hands.

2. After you have that information, you use the Math/logic/numbers skills to know what to do with that information.

So in my opinion both are essential! Which is more important when you first start? That is an interesting question.

Jaime
 
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razzor94

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  • #4
jaimestaples said:
I think that both are essential. The way it was explained to me a long time ago really stuck with me:

1. You use card reading/people reading/"feel player" skills while putting someone on a 'range' of hands.

2. After you have that information, you use the Math/logic/numbers skills to know what to do with that information.

So in my opinion both are essential! Which is more important when you first start? That is an interesting question.

Jaime
Click to expand...

I think math is something you have to know before you hit the tables.Nowadays there are a lot of programs that can do the math for you.
The ability to make a good read on someone takes time and practice. I am giving a slight edge to math when you first start.
 
tilan501

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  • #5
I think the ability to study your opponents and know how they play is more important than everything. Important than your hand!
 
Saperion

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  • #6
Im not neither a shark or a math geek.
 
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joe777

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  • #7
Both are equally important.You should know how to exploit weaknesses at

the table and at the same time applying the mathematical probability

factor in making +EV decision.
 
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Tosh_67

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  • #8
One day I will read up on EV I think it is at the geeky end of Poker, I can ignorantly say I don't fully understand it... in fact... Not sure I partially understand it.... Anyway...

There is no denying that Poker is highly mathematical and that definitely is at the heart of being successful....

But... But !!

bluffing is not mathematical... And Math and bluffing don't work well together...

So in answer to your question !

I use a combination of both... or as some people call it... Gut Instinct

:)
 
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razzor94

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  • #9
Tosh_67 said:
One day I will read up on EV I think it is at the geeky end of Poker, I can ignorantly say I don't fully understand it... in fact... Not sure I partially understand it.... Anyway...

There is no denying that Poker is highly mathematical and that definitely is at the heart of being successful....

But... But !!

Bluffing is not mathematical... And Math and bluffing don't work well together...

So in answer to your question !

I use a combination of both... or as some people call it... Gut Instinct

:)
Click to expand...

I guess u can say you're on the card shark team. How's that been doing for u ? Are u able to cash more times than not ? Remember it's a lot easier for a CS to learn the math and level up in stakes, or even go pro, then it is for a MG to learn the "on table skills". U should give it a try. It will improve your game a lot.
 
razva_raz94

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  • #10
Both things are important but the most important is reading your opponent :)
 
arborest

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  • #11
Both are important but the truth is that if you can read your opponents cards then you can win everything.. Its one of the hardest skills and there is no such a player who can read everything... But if you can manage to read some of the hands then you are very likely going to win against him.
 
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