help with probability...

[djhoneybear]

I'm sure I'm not the first person to post this so please bear with me. I'm interested in increasing my understanding of probabilities so that I can improve my poker game away from the table. I understand how to calculate outs and turn this into percentages but what about more complex problems? I basically am looking for a book or a reference of some sort so that I can calculate probabilities away from the table. I'd like to be able to calculate how my starting hand rates against a range of starting hands, how after the flop my same hand rates against this same range of hands etc. Should I just go get a text book and if so which one? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BruceZ]

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I'm sure I'm not the first person to post this so please bear with me. I'm interested in increasing my understanding of probabilities so that I can improve my poker game away from the table. I understand how to calculate outs and turn this into percentages but what about more complex problems? I basically am looking for a book or a reference of some sort so that I can calculate probabilities away from the table. I'd like to be able to calculate how my starting hand rates against a range of starting hands, how after the flop my same hand rates against this same range of hands etc. Should I just go get a text book and if so which one? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

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This is generally done with software. For a range of hands, download the program from www.pokerstove.com (http://www.pokerstove.com) For specific hands, you can use the online program www.twodimes.net/poker (http://www.twodimes.net/poker)

[djhoneybear]

BruceZ,

I appreciate the help. I'm also hoping to just increase my understanding of probabilities and find the best way for me to really understand something is to completely dissect it. If you have any suggestions to head in this direction I would be greatful.

[DRD66]

FWIW, a few years ago I read a book by Warren Weaver called "Lady Luck: The Theory of Probability". Lots of good basic theory, much applicable to poker. I quote some of it in this post (http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=singletable&Number=1763534 &Forum=f22&Words=&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Main=17559 72&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=27040&daterange= 1&newerval=1&newertype=w&olderval=&oldertype=&body prev=#Post1763534) . Have fun!

[BeerMoney]

Take a probability class with a really good instructor.