The Mathematics of Poker ...

Dodoubled · #1 01-23-07, 01:55 AM

Anyone own or have any reviews on this book? I just ordered it on Amazon, and supposedly, while analytical throughout, it does a pretty damn good job of explaining things like game theory and probability to readers who might not have a PhD in statistics. There's a great thread about it on 2+2 (the other, bigger-but-not-nearly-as-cool-as-this, forum).

It's brand new, and by Bill Chen and Jerrod Ankenman.

I'd be especially interested to hear what MathBabe has to say (if you've picked it up and read it, of course). I should have my copy in a week or so. I look forward to reading it.

Talking Poker · #2 01-23-07, 02:05 AM

I heard about this book back when it was being written - sounds pretty good. I already have about a dozen or so poker books that I haven't read yet, but I think I'm gonna pick this up too:

Also, don't forget that will be shipping soon. Then again, that's what they said 6 months ago when I pre-ordered it.

I'm not a big Phil Hellmuth book fan, but I read an article about this Joe Navarro guy before and it was pretty interesting. He's a former FBI counterintelligence agent who specialized in nonverbal communication, and apparently is quite good at applying his skills to poker tells. He runs seminars now and the participants seem to love them. So I'm gonna pick up his book too. Here's my .

Dodoubled · #3 01-23-07, 02:07 AM

Yeah, I threw in that Navarro book in the order, too, to get free shipping. I've heard some decent things about it as well.

Thanks.

Zybomb · #4 01-23-07, 02:12 AM

Im halfway through the Navarro/Helmuth book.... when Im done I'll give you a recap/review

I got that along with The Poker Tournament formula by Arnold Syner, which I heard great things about (a power poker tournament book disagreeing with a lot of the Sklansky/Malmuth books). I havent started that one yet though

Defendant · #5 01-23-07, 06:01 AM

Hmm this might be a book for me!

What im looking for is an IN DEPTH mathematical analysis though, not sure if I can find that outside of a textbook.

Dodoubled · #6 01-23-07, 12:46 PM

Apparently, this book does exactly that.

Dodoubled · #7 01-30-07, 11:55 PM

Well, my eagerly anticipated copy of "The Mathematics of Poker" arrived today. I love Amazon. Quick, easy and never lets you down. Sort of like a $10 .. ah, never mind.

Anyhow, I haven't had much time to digest it. I spent much of the evening in Philly at a dinner with my folks, my cousin and girlfriend, but after literally flipping through it three times, I have this to say:

1.) You wanted a textbook, Defendant? Hope you've brushed up on your advanced algebra and calc. As Chris Jesus Ferguson himself said, if he ever taught a poker course at UCLA, this would be the only book on the syllabus.
Why? Because it might take two or three semesters to get through. (He didn't actually say this last part.)

2.) Bill Chen aced his SAT, GMAC, MCAT, LSAT, CPA, CFA, GED and every other test he ever took. Ankenman wasn't far behind.

3.) I haven't seen most of the symbols in this book since the last time I was on Fraternity Row at Penn State. I didn't know what they meant then, either. It took me four years to realize the letters Tappa and Kegga weren't a part of the Greek alphabet.

4.) Stale jokes aside, this looks like the kind of book that could have a profound impact on the game. The biggest issue, I think, will be whether people will be patient enough to digest the information in it. I certainly will be. But it may take three, four, even five thorough readings before I'm comfortable with it. I'm sure some of you will have a much easier time with it. I'll be curious to see what others think once they get ahold of it.