TEXAS HOLD'EM ODDS [Paperback]

Catalin Barboianu (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Odds are part of any gambling strategy and Texas Hold'em Poker is highly predisposed to probability-based decisions. This book presents the mathematics involved in card distributions in Texas Hold'em and provides a precise account of the odds associated with all gaming events. The author is a recognized authority on casino mathematics. He is member of applied mathematics societies and has published numerous articles in leading academic, gaming industry and applied mathematics journals. He is also the author of "Probability Guide of Gambling". No formal background in mathematics is necessary for reading this book, although comfort with some probability and set theory notions is helpful. In most cases, you'll need some college math to follow the formulas here, but this is not a requirement, because the numerical results are collected in tables at the end of each section. The work is packed with formulas, algorithms and tables. Its' primary goal is to allow the reader to quickly find the odds for their hand and for their opponent's hand, in order to improve his/her betting decisions. Every type of card distribution is tabulated in a logical, consistent and comprehensive manner. The complete methodology and all the calculations are shown, so it teaches the player how to calculate probability for any situation for every stage of the game, even for other card games. You will find here the real odds, returned by precise mathematical formulas and not by partial simulations that most software uses. The book contains new and original material that has not been done previously and provides a full coverage of Hold'em odds: - Immediate odds (pre-flop odds, flop odds, turn odds, river odds, odds of improving specific hands). - Long-shot odds (odds of achieving specific card formations by river) for own hand, in after-flop and after-turn stages. - Long-shot odds for opponent's hand (odds for one and at least one of your opponents to achieve specific card formations by river), in after-flop, after-turn and after-river stages. - Other odds. Concrete examples of calculations and usage of tables are attached to each section. Also, a special chapter of examples is included for a good understanding of how to count and compare the odds for expected card formations and the odds of possible higher formations of opponents. Such information is a must for any Hold'em player - either beginner or advanced - and this book is a trusted and professional source.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This title is listed in the collections of several university and gambling institute libraries and stands as reference book for applied math and gambling courses.

A revised improved edition is currently on work. It will be released this summer. Check our listings regularly to see it published.

From the Author

The new revised improved edition of this book has been released at the end of 2011. It is titled Texas Hold'em Odds for Your Strategy, with Probability-Based Hand Analyses and is available on Amazon.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: INFAROM (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9730036896
• ISBN-13: 978-9730036893
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,177,019 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Catalin Barboianu (born in 1968) is a Romanian mathematician and author, whose fields of expertise and publication are topology, probability theory, mathematical modeling, and philosophy of mathematics. From 2003, his main work was focused on applied mathematics, especially on applications of probability theory in daily life, including in gaming, the outcome being six books on mathematics of gambling, published in several languages. His books have a guide style and are primarily addressed to non-mathematicians, being listed in the official bibliographies of the students of several gaming institutes and organizations around the globe. He also published several articles in leading academic and gaming periodicals,and became a recognized authority on mathematics of games and gambling. He is an active member of MAA (Mathematical Association of America), SIAM (Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics), and BSPS (British Society for the Philosophy of Science).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Professional source, June 26, 2005

By 

Sven B. (Upsala, Sweden) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TEXAS HOLD'EM ODDS (Paperback)

If you want to know all math behind Hold'em, from probability point of view, this is the source. It is not a classical strategy book (maybe many more recommendations for particular hands would be useful), but it really covers all gaming situations in Hold'em. No book I read thus far has such well organized coverage on odds and probability. Holding in one hand a good strategy book and in the other this odds book, you will probably win a lot during time. I recommend it instead of any odds calculator, because you will see here the applied formulas and you will be able to learn and apply the probability calculus for any particular hand or for other poker games.

29 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful information, June 19, 2005

By 

Ken Gray (LA, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: TEXAS HOLD'EM ODDS (Paperback)

If you are looking for a recreational reading, this is not the book for you. It has a complete coverage on odds and math behind Hold'em and it is very well organized. It also contains new information that has not been worked out before, like long-shot odds for events of "at least one opponent" type. All results are comprised in tables at the end of each section. It's great. I found it far superior than Petriv's similar book. I highly recommend it as a necessary completion for any strategy book.

24 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best poker odds book, December 27, 2005

By 

B.T. - See all my reviews

This review is from: TEXAS HOLD'EM ODDS (Paperback)

Having read many of the above reviews, it is clear that many people claim that the maths involved is far too difficult. This is not true. Yes you do have to have a reasonable understanding of maths but suggesting you need a phd is stupid. I would say that you need an average understanding of basic mathematical principles as well as a certain degree of experinece of playing hold'em in order to improve your poker from this book.

I have this book and by simply reading it, the hands you chase and dont chase change dramatically, it really does have an effect on the way you play. It covers the mathematical thinking behind calculating odds for hands but also shows the overall odds in a table.

However if you take time and study the book then you find yourself subconsiously calculating odds at the table and in turn becoming a more accomplished poker player. In time the skills and logic covered in the book become second nature and you find you can devote more time to studying the other players.

One slight drawback to this book is that when you begin to apply it to your game, it can take time to perfect it, and you find yourself not being able to concentrate as much on other aspects of the game such as positioning, table image, picking up tells and reads etc. Having said that in order to be a succesful poker player, calculating odds is an essential skill and all good poker players must experinece this difficult stage. I recommend trying the skills on online tournaments as you get to see a lot of hands without risking money. Also the quality of opponent has no say in hand odds.

Overall i would say that this poker book is the definitive on poker odds and if you aim to be a class player you need this book. Add this book to caros book of poker tells and a good strategy book (doyle brunsons super strategy 2 is my fav) and you will have taken a mojor step to becoming a truly fantastic poker player.

PS If you do buy this book beware that you can calculate the odds quickly and simply before tring it against live opponents. If opponents realise you are doing it on certain hands it will often give away what your hand really is. DON'T PICK UP A TELL AS WELL AS A SKILL!!!!!!!!!!!