Practical Poker Math: Basic Odds & Probabilities for Hold'Em and Omaha [Paperback]

Pat Dittmar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

A study in probability, strategy, and game theory, this handy companion explores all the mathematical methods of mastering the game of poker. Using an original concept called "Total Odds," the book presents a complete odds work-up for both Texas Hold'Em and the high and low hands of Omaha. These principles are accessible to any poker player at any skill level, and the calculations are color-coded, making them easy to follow. Serving as a convenient primer for the beginner and a reference text for more experienced players, this guide is a safe bet for anyone looking to win.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dittmar answers many questions and fills in a lot of gaps about poker mathematics. . . . His book is for the thinking player who wants to incorporate some mathematics and an understanding of odds into his or her mode of play."  —Poker Player Magazine

"Take advantage of the brilliance offered here."  —Barbara Rogers

About the Author

Pat Dittmar has played professional poker for more than 20 years and has worked as a consultant for a major online poker site. He lives in Las Vegas.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: ECW Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550228331
• ISBN-13: 978-1550228335
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,053 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful but overpriced book on Texas Hold 'em/Omaha poker odds/probablilities, December 12, 2008

By 

Mendicant Pigeon "Mendicant Pigeon" (pdx, or United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Poker Math: Basic Odds & Probabilities for Hold'Em and Omaha (Paperback)

This book is actually far shorter than it would first appear because the bulk of the book is taken up by rote calculations of most of the hand possibilities the author discusses.
The use of this abc building block-simple method of breaking down the probabilities/odds is really great for anyone without an extensive understanding of how odds/probabilities in poker hands are calculated because it really breaks it down in an easily understandable step-by-step formulaic way, that allows one to create his own calculations of poker odds and probabilities.
The author also includes his calculations in table form for use as a quick reference.
My only negative comments upon this truly helpful book are that, like the critic below, I believe that there may be some minor inaccuracies in the calculations, and the listed retail price of this book is rather high.
Having said that I strongly believe this book is very helpful to anybody who wonders how Texas Hold 'em odds/probabilities are made, and likely that the cost of the book may be recouped in a short time by any novice money-player who takes the probabilities calculations to heart and uses them appropriately.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book on Odds & Probabilities - even for a beginner, August 7, 2008

By 

F. Latter "F.Latter" (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Practical Poker Math: Basic Odds & Probabilities for Hold'Em and Omaha (Paperback)

The poker world needs more books like Practical Poker Math. This book made difficult topics like odds, probabilities and game theory easy to understand for a beginner like me.

But I almost didn't buy the book because of the review by Herman Jackson and now I'm glad I ignored his review in favor of all the other unanimously favorable ones. And, after having read Practical Poker Math, I know I made the right decision. In Herman's example of the Nut Low, he says the author is talking about flopping a wheel when plainly the author is talking about flopping the nut low to a random board i.e., to a board of 6,7,8,J,J an A2xx is indeed the nut low hand and it is not a wheel. This obvious distortion of the author's intent caused me to look for other reviews he'd done. It seems suspicious that for another odds book (where he was the only reviewer) he gave it a great review while distorting the presentations in Practical Poker Math. Makes me wonder about Herman's hidden agenda.

Anyway, I for one got great value from Practical Poker math and give it 5 stars. I loved the tables and presentation and already it's helped my game as much or more than any other poker book.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth every dollar, June 22, 2008

By 

Compunerd - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical Poker Math: Basic Odds & Probabilities for Hold'Em and Omaha (Paperback)

I started playing poker with some friends about 1 1/2 years ago. After going through a learning curve I was winning more than I was losing. I then thought I'd try online poker and found that the caliber of players was higher than I was used to and realized I needed to improve my chances. I happened upon Pat Dittmar's book Practical Poker Math and thought I'd take a look at it. I'm a computer professional and the book struck a chord with me because it's very logical. It also doesn't get so complicated that you lose interest and put it aside. After putting some of Dittmar's ideas into play I soon found I was holding my own with the online players. As I get more disciplined about sticking to the math and not letting my adrenaline carry me away I'm winning more and more. This book has paid for itself many times over.