Poker News

George Epstein

Recently I wrote about Mark Twain’s fascinating essay in which he described how, back in 1870, a Kentucky court decided that a competition like poker really is a game of science-; not a game of chance or luck. Then it occurred to me: My hold’em algorithm is strong proof of the wisdom of that court’s decision: Poker is a game of science! First, understand the meaning of “science.”

According to the Random House Dictionary of the English Language, science is “knowledge gained by systematic study.” It is “skill, proficiency.” Unlike luck-;a combination of circumstances or events that operate by chance, which is a random occurrence over which you have little or no control-;science is skill acquired by careful study and concomitantly, gaining knowledge, especially in a systematic way.

What is an algorithm? Commonly used in scientific and engineering endeavors, an algorithm is a procedure or process for solving a particular problem. It helps you make a difficult decision. Often it can be shown as a formula of some type.

My hold’em algorithm is in fact a marvelous demonstration of systematic study leading to knowledge and skill, and it helps the “scientist” (poker player) make a key decision while playing hold’em: With these two hole cards, should I stay in or should I fold?

This is arguably the most important decision in playing hold’em. It is the moment when you choose whether or not to invest your money in that hand. If you fold your hole cards, it costs you nothing unless you are in the blind, but you won’t win any money if all you do is fold.

Besides, it doesn’t make sense to wait for pocket aces before investing in a hand, since pocket aces will be dealt to you only one out of 221 hands on average.

So what two hole cards warrant your consideration for making that initial investment? That’s the decision the hold’em algorithm was developed to help you make.

The hold’em algorithm considers most of the key factors, or parameters that are important when deciding whether to invest your money to see the flop. These include the value of your two hole cards-;rank, pairs, suited, connectors, betting position, number of opponents calling the blind, and whether there have been or are likely to be any raises.

Applying mathematical probabilities to the game of poker is a form of systematic study. A scientist often does this to best make the optimum decision when confronted with a difficult problem. The hold’em algorithm accomplishes this by assigning scores to the key parameters. The higher the score, the greater the likelihood of winning the hand. A player using this algorithm avails himself of the opportunity to make the best decision. After all, poker is a game of decisions.

The player who makes the best decisions will win the money! He minimizes the importance of luck or chance-;a random event-;and he maximizes the value of his decisions. Of course, there are bound to be exceptions. A “scientist” knows when to make an exception. That too is part of recognizing that poker is indeed a game of science. Using the hold’em algorithm makes it much easier to make that key decision.

There is less pressure on the player. Under less stress, a player can better make prudent decisions. Conclusion: Poker is a game of science (knowledge and skill) that uses the laws of probability to make the best (winning) decisions! The hold’em algorithm is a wonderful example of using science to gain an objective: to go home a winner!

So, readers, what’s YOUR opinion?

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