Mathematical Expectation as a Poker Strategy

Mathematical expectation is the usual figure of money gamblers are expected to win or lose, this concept can be broaden and people also refer to it as "an hourly rate", which is the amount of cash you are about to lose or win during an online poker games.

Mathematical expectations are used as a poker strategy that helps players to make better decisions when they play live or online poker. It is used to decide whether to participate in a game, it allows players to mathematically predict how much money they are about to make, or lose. Mathematical expectations, combined with reliable money management and knowing outs and pot odds can ensure that your game will be profitable.

Expectation can be either positive, meaning in the long run you will win money, or negative and you will lose money. Here is an example of using mathematical expectation in poker:

You hold four of a kind during the Turn in a Texas Holdem game, according to the rules of Hold'em poker there are few more rounds of bets to made and there are at least three more players in the game, with no action what so ever – you are most likely to win, but you must also increase your mathematical expectation: If you will raise or re-raise then at least one player will fold and the two others may choose to call your bets and that's all. But if you will just call, and lure players to the river you can be sure that you will make more money (AKA positive expectation).

That was just one simple example of how mathematical expectation can help you to better plan your poker strategy. In the near future I will review more ways to use mathematical expectations in poker. As for now you can view Poker Team for more information about online poker and poker strategies.

Article by Jeremy Evans - Strategy Advisor. 3/23/2006