Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Jon MW]

Some interesting thoughts byron.

Ok so let's clarify the maths.

To think mathematically is indeed to hold the opinion....

to focus on the math is to make an accurate appraisal of the situation, and then apply mathematical concepts to try and figure out the best way to play a situation.

But essentially the basis of this thought process is...Example - "Do I have the correct odds to draw to my flush?"

The mathematical equation for making this decision is simply deciphering how many outs you have and whether the probability of hitting one of those cards is compensated for by the odds the pot is offering. To be aware of the figures (but to choose not to allow them to entirely dominate your thoughts) and simple ignorance of them are two different things altogether. To suggest otherwise is being silly. The problem is that a mathematical equation is not situational or contextual it is a constant. So once you understand that tournament play is purely situational you will begin to appreciate that trying to fit a constant into every contextual decision is actually quite restrictive.

To produce an equation based on pure probability is too simplistic for tournament play. This is so because the maths doesn't take into account so many of the factors that need to be considered before making a decision as to the best way to play in a particular situation.

Time, stack-size in relation to the blinds/average/leader, opponent's behaviour/actions, position to the money, current table image/future table image, situation etc...are all variable factors nowhere to be seen in the ever constant probability equation. So I think being driven by the maths is more "guessing" at what to do because you are only taking one factor into account. To be aware of the maths and to also take every other detail into account is a far more comprehensive way of coming to a sound decision. Maths is not flexible...but you need flexibility of thought when you play a tournament. Making a decision at any point has many implications...those implications are not just about whether you answered the sum correctly or not here and now.

Getting lucky is another factor that has no place in this equation. But the fact is you do need to get lucky to win a tournament. This does not mean you see the sense in relying on luck again and again and again but that you simply recognise luck is a factor. Again, recognising something and being driven by it are different. To suggest otherwise is being silly.

If you play a solid game, then you recognise a situation to step to outside the maths and your position improves dramatically you are actually playing creatively. And creativity is essential to tournament progress. Focussing on maths can stifle your creativity because of it's inflexibility and you may miss situations you can exploit.

I think having a mathematically dominated strategy you become a bit one dimensional and this can make your mind inflexible to considering the more creative thoughts that can often be necessary if not wholly desirable in any given tournament situation.

Wasn't that mostly covered by...

...Its not like math guys just ignore things like reads, opponent playing styles, bet sizes, and stuff like that!!...

although

... Maths is not flexible...

clearly shows that you do not fully understand mathematics.

 

[RioRodent]

I read somewhere that every Capital City on Earth sits on a big river, & all major Cities do, too. Which explains why Birmingham is pants.

Hello, you never go in Athens or Roma? Tiber is a little water and is not any in Athens.

Rome = Pants

Athens = Double Pants.

The Tiber used to be a big river.

Athens is just Double Pants

The Windrush used to be a big river... well it seemed to be when I was a little boy! 

[MANTIS01]

Posted by: Jon MW

Wasn't that mostly covered by...

It is a question of emphasis. It's the difference between right and left side brain thinking. Because this is the case the two opposing mind-sets will struggle to find common ground. It is what makes poker an interesting game.

However, whilst right-side theorists are willing to explore new possibilities their left-sided mathematical counter-parts will rigidly proclaim that you're wrong to think the way you do. This is a rather apt attitude...because you can't argue with maths....but you can argue about the emphasis a player puts on it.

[celtic]

During the comp we were having a football trivia session to help pass the time

I ask the question which of the 92 league clubs doesnt exist as a place      answer is port vale

Dingdell is on the table   straight away she says Milton Keynes

i explain  the question to her and she says oh i misunderstood i thought it was them cos they are the Dons and they used to be from Southampton


She alwso thinks David Hasslehoff's nickname is the Hass not the Hoff

sorry Tracy i couldnt resist   im sure no1 noticed

there isn't an area of london called 'Arsenal' so in fact there are two teams Jim.

[77dave]

Arsenal's original name is Woolich Arsenal

[celtic]

hmmmmm, thats one of their former names............... their current name isn't relative to any area in london, no?

[Karabiner]

hmmmmm, thats one of their former names............... their current name isn't relative to any area in london, no?

That kind of depends on whether Arsenal tube station counts as being a place or not....

[Snatiramas]

hmmmmm, thats one of their former names............... their current name isn't relative to any area in london, no?

Indeed if we were going to call them the Woolwich Arsenal............then my own team would still be called THe THames Valley Ironworks...........which is why the true supporters shout come on you Irons and not hammers

[Dingdell]

hmmmmm, thats one of their former names............... their current name isn't relative to any area in london, no?

That kind of depends on whether Arsenal tube station counts as being a place or not....

Thank you - i said that in the first place and I was shouted down - Karabiner you are right of course!!

[wormster]

Arsenal's original name is Woolich Arsenal

Woolwich Arsenal still exists as a place - I live about a mile away from it. So, originally, Arsenal were a South London side!

[celtic]

They are called Arsenal not woolwich arsenal, there is no place in london called arsenal, the tube station was named arsenal only after they move to highbury, used to be called gillespie road i think, therefore surely the answer is port vale and arsenal?

[TightEnd]

don't be so pedantic lol, at least not on here, save it for Wednesday nights at Luton when we can all laugh at Dingdell again.

[celtic]

 

[Robert HM]

 

[Dingdell]

don't be so pedantic lol, at least not on here, save it for Wednesday nights at Luton when we can all laugh at Dingdell again.

Oi     You may laugh but it's in my game plan to distract you with my stupidness, while I play mediocre poker and still manage to win.