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My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Hi everyone,
I want to introduce my book, Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker. Its a strategy book that looks at the game analytically and uses expected value throughout. Its not for a complete beginner, but for someone who has already played the game and understands the mechanics of it. About me: I'm a former derivatives trader at Susquehanna Partners. After 8 years, I quit my job in 2000 to pursue gambling. I played poker and bet sports, all with the same approach as I did when I was trading. I decided to write a Hold'em book last year to put my thoughts down. I learned a ton throughout the process as I was forced to explain many things that previously I just assumed. A sample chapter can be found at this link - Chapter 15: The River Everyone once in a while, I read posts asking for books on shorthanded hold'em. My book contains two chapters on Shorthanded Limit Hold'em (29 pages total). You can private message me at twoplustwo (I check it once in a while) or email me at kingyao@comcast.net with any comments, suggestions or questions. Thanks for your time. I contacted Mat Sklansky previously to make sure this type of post was appropriate for 2+2. Thanks. The book is available at a many online stores now as well as the Gambler's Book Shop in Las Vegas. I don't know how long it will take to get to the physical bookstores. Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker table of contents - 350 pages About the Author Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Introduction The Purpose of this Book Who This Book is For The Organization The Evolution of the Hold'em Player Terminology, Acronyms and Conventions Used in This Book Different Limits Chapter 2 Player Types Predictable Players Unpredictable Players Profiling Players Winning or Losing Can Make a Player Change Styles Distinctions Among Loose Players Playing Against Different Types of Loose Players Getting Into Your Opponent's Head Changing Your Play for Deception Playing the Players Game Selection Seat Selection Chapter 3 Expected Value Calculating EV EV Quiz and Answer Chapter 4 Outs Outs and Non-Outs Unknown Cards Counting Outs Terminology Thinking About Outs Identifying and Counting Outs Quiz: Counting Outs Chapter 5 Pot Odds Outs and Pot Odds Implied Pot Odds and Expected Pot Size The Mechanics of Counting the Pot DIPO: "Do I Have Pot Odds?" The Math Behind DIPO Examples and Issues of Using DIPO on the Turn Using DIPO on the Flop DIPO on Flop, DIPO on Turn, Two Different Decisions Myth: Never Draw to an Inside Straight When There is a Raise and More Than 1 Bet to Call Observing Other Players While Counting the Pot More on Pot Odds Quiz: Pot Odds Chapter 6 Position The Value of Position General Positions in a Full Game More on Position Chapter 7 Raising for Free Cards Counter-Strategies to the Free-Card Raise Key Points on Raising for a Free Card Straight Draw Free-Card Raises Overcard Free-Card Raises Raising into Multiple Opponents More Flush Draw Free-Card Game Theory Chapter 8 Bluffing Bluffing Against One Opponent Bluffing in Context of Recent Plays Bluffing Against Multiple Opponents How Often Should You Bluff? Inducing a Bluff To Bluff or To Induce a Bluff Calling a Bluff Chapter 9 Semi-Bluffing Break-Even Point of Semi-Bluffing Raising on the Turn for a Free Showdown After the Opponent's Semi-Bluff or Free-Card Draw Has Hit Chapter 10 Slowplaying and Check-Raising Slowplaying Check-Raising Semi-Bluff Check-Raising and Bluff Check-Raising Check-Raising in a Multiple-Player Pot Check-Raising in a Heads-Up Pot Defending Against a Check-Raise Chapter 11 Summary of Strategies Fancy Play Syndrome Chapter 12 Starting Hands Number of Hands: 1,326 or 169 The AQo Debate Starting Hands Can Change in Value Starting-Hand Actions Sunk Cost and the Blinds Playing the Blinds Stealing the Blinds Playing the Blinds: To Defend or Not to Defend Deceptive Pre-Flop Play Common Mistakes Made With Starting Hands Different Types of Starting Hands Chapter 13 The Flop Thinking on the Flop Betting on the Flop Playing AK on the Flop Kicker Issues Other Flop Issues Chapter 14 The Turn Thinking on the Turn Betting on the Turn Raising on the Turn for a Free Showdown Getting Raised on the Turn Bad Turn and River Cards Large Pots on the Turn Chapter 15 The River The River Paradox Thinking on the River: Heads-Up Thinking on the River: Multiple-Player Pots Chapter 16 Reading Hands Reading the Player Reading Hands on the Flop, the Turn and the River Reading Flushes and Flush Draws Reading Straights and Straight Draws Counter-Intuition Chapter 17 Shorthanded Limit Hold'em Introduction to Shorthanded Limit Hold'em Tables with Different Numbers of Players Playing the Players in Shorthanded Games Strategic Differences Chapter 18 Common Mistakes in Shorthanded Play Mistake #1: Playing Too Many Hands in the Wrong Spots Mistake #2: Trying Too Hard to be Unpredictable Mistake #3: Being Too Predictable Mistake #4: Folding Too Often Mistake #5: Being Too Passive in the Wrong Spots Mistake #6: Being Too Aggressive in the Wrong Spots Mistake #7: Not Using the Option of Calling and Checking Mistake #8: Calling to the River with A-High on a Tough Board Mistake #9: Pre-Flop: Calling When You Should Be Folding or Raising Mistake #10: Post-Flop: Calling Too Often Mistake #11: Frequently Calling Raises in the Small Blind Mistake #12: Not Adjusting to the Tempo and Mood of the Game Mistake #13: Playing Three-Handed Games Like Six-Handed Games Chapter 19 Online Poker Reasons to Play Poker on the Internet Getting Paid and Bonus Hunting Free Games Online Pitfalls of Playing Online Playing Multiple Games Simultaneously Stack Size and Pot Size Online Players Play More Aggressively Online Fluctuations are Higher Deception is Less Useful Taking Advantage of Online Technology Different Results at Different Sites Cheating, Collusion and Glitches Chapter 20 Extra Topics The Monty Hall Problem All-In Situations Getting Counterfeited Playing at Home and on the Road Tells, Feels and Vibes Mental Topics Appendix A Rules The Rules and Mechanics of Limit Hold'Em How a Hand is Made The Cards The Betting The Positions The Nut Hand The Nut Draw Appendix B Other Sources for Limit Hold'em Information Internet Sites Magazines Books Appendix C Probability and Odds Conversion Probability of Independent Events Probability of Related Events Probability of Dependent Events Probability of an Event Occurring with Two Chances Odds Sportsbook Odds Tricky Odds: X for Y More Tables Appendix D Glossary Index |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
I read your sample chapter and it looks interesting.
Where would you say your book fits in to the market relative to "Small Stakes Hold'em" and "Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players"? Lost Wages |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
I haven't read Small Stakes Hold'em, so I can't comment on it.
I don't want to this to be taken the wrong way, but I think the audience for Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players is the same audience for my book. Obviously HPFAP is a great book and has been for a while, my book has barely seen the light of day. But I think anyone who enjoys and learned from HPFAP will enjoy and learn from my book even after reading HPFAP. I will say for those that did not enjoy or learn from HPFAP, that they will probably like my book even less. Of course, I am biased, every author probably thinks their book is great. That's why I am looking forward to reviews and what other people think. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Wow, that is a shitload of chapters. It does look interesting though.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
I contacted Mat Sklansky previously to make sure this type of post was appropriate for 2+2. [/ QUOTE ] That was a classy thing to do. Nice move. I'm looking forward to seeing it in a store. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
After 8 years, I quit my job in 2000 to pursue gambling. I played poker and bet sports, all with the same approach as I did when I was trading. [/ QUOTE ] Interesting TOC. Please describe your achievements as a poker player (limits played, live vs. internet, etc.). Secondarily, background on your success as a sports bettor would be interesting. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
In hold'em, I play 20/40 through 80-160 in live games, and 10/30 through 30/60 in online games. I don't play nearly as much now as I used to, and when I do play, I always prefer shorthanded games.
As for my success in sportsbetting - that's tough to quantify unless I release the exact profits I've made, and frankly, I'm not willing to do that. So I'll have to be very vague and say my sports betting winnings is greater than a very good 80-160 player's expected annual winnings. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Another question. Is this a self-published book, or did it have the benefit of professional editing?
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
do you know what the retail price will be?
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Looks very interesting...I'll order a copy when Amazon deems the UK worthy to receive it.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
The book is published by Pi Yee Press (Stanford Wong), and it was copy-edited.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
The retail price is 24.95
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
FWIW, I played a lot with King Yao a few years ago in the Planet Poker 20-40 game. He is an excellent player and was definitely on my "don't mess with him" list.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
The book looks pretty interesting to me as well. Will it be in Borders/BN?
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Its on bn.com (no picture of the cover yet though) and borders teams up with amazon online. I'm expecting to see it in the physical bookstores sooner or later, I'm not sure how long it takes though.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
I haven't seen this book yet but I did read the draft for King's first book "Hold'em Brain" and thought it was excellent. I enjoyed it so much that I even helped him with some of the editing.
I have no doubt that this book is also a great read. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
In the initial drafts, this book was titled Hold'em Brain. It was changed to Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker after it became clear that few people liked the initial title. So its the same book.
Thank you avatar for your input! You were a great help. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
I haven't read Small Stakes Hold'em, so I can't comment on it. [/ QUOTE ] I'm going to buy the book ... but this comment scares me. Barron Vangor Toth www.BarronVangorToth.com |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Great! I'm looking forward to your review.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Now that I know it is the same book, I can definately recommend this book. For the record, I met King through this forum and only helped him with the first draft of this book because I thought his content was very fresh and original. Based on the number of pages and the new chapters in the final version, it is clear that King added a lot more content to his original draft.
When reading the initial draft, it is clear that the author is a very experienced and winning limit player (imho, anyone who can win at the 10/20 limit and above usually have something meaningful to teach) because of the thought process he goes through with each decision. Often a borderline decision is not a simple call, fold or raise based just on pot odds and position but "Why?" based on the given variables in each situation. That is why I enjoy MLH, HEFAP and Real Poker II..b/c those books focus on the thought processes more than simply reading the board and calculating outs. What also sets this book apart from most of the other limit hold'em books (and I have just about every major hold'em book there is) is that King combines both math and game theory to his decision making process. I have studied game theory during my graduate degree and always wanted to see someone apply game theory to hold'em and this is one of the few books that is successful at doing it (HPFAP is, of course, another). Based on the initial manuscript I saw, I would say this book is geared more for intermediate/advanced players and may not be suitable for total beginners. Unlike some other poker books in the current poker book craze, this is not just another 'beginner' book with generic and restated ideas... I really believe that this book is really original and geared for more experienced players. I know that King put in a lot of work in this book and without holding anything back. This book is definately worth checking out. I look forward to getting reading it soon. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Thanks skp. I didn't want to mess around with you either!
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
This looks really good. Just ordered it from amazon.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
A sample chapter can be found at this link - Chapter 15: The River [/ QUOTE ] I read this chapter last night and was very impressed. If all the chapters are this good, it will be a fantastic book. I am ordering it from Amazon today. The actual advice given in chapter 15 will not be earth-shattering to very good players, but it is stuff that a lot of decent players get wrong. Moreover, the book doesn't just state its advice in conclusory fashion (i.e., check-call heads up on the river when first to act against a player who was probably on either a flush draw or a straight draw when only the straight draw comes in), but also backs everything up with sample EV calculations. This is helpful not only to give readers confidence that the conclusions are correct, but more importantly to get readers in the habit of thinking about each decision rigorously, and to teach them how to do it. I am eager to read the rest of the book. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Looking forward to purchasing this! Nice work.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
I also liked the sample chapter and have ordered a copy.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Seems like a very good book. I'm ordering it from Amazon.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
"Usually ships within 3 to 5 weeks from Amazon.com." [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
"Usually ships within 3 to 5 weeks from Amazon.com." [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [/ QUOTE ] I ordered yesterday and my copy is already being shipped. They must be temporarily out of stock. |
And also...
[ QUOTE ]
I contacted Mat Sklansky previously to make sure this type of post was appropriate for 2+2. [/ QUOTE ] Come to think of it, it was pretty classy that 2+2 agreed to let you do this. Nice going Mat, et al. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
"Usually ships within 3 to 5 weeks from Amazon.com." [/ QUOTE ] I ordered yesterday and it was shipped today. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
King Yao --
The sample chapter is interesting and the book looks worth buying. Thanks so much for the info. Best, John B |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
Hi everyone, I want to introduce my book, Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker. Its a strategy book that looks at the game analytically and uses expected value throughout. Its not for a complete beginner, but for someone who has already played the game and understands the mechanics of it. About me: I'm a former derivatives trader at Susquehanna Partners. After 8 years, I quit my job in 2000 to pursue gambling. I played poker and bet sports, all with the same approach as I did when I was trading. I decided to write a Hold'em book last year to put my thoughts down. I learned a ton throughout the process as I was forced to explain many things that previously I just assumed. A sample chapter can be found at this link - Chapter 15: The River Everyone once in a while, I read posts asking for books on shorthanded hold'em. My book contains two chapters on Shorthanded Limit Hold'em (29 pages total). You can private message me at twoplustwo (I check it once in a while) or email me at kingyao@comcast.net with any comments, suggestions or questions. Thanks for your time. I contacted Mat Sklansky previously to make sure this type of post was appropriate for 2+2. Thanks. The book is available at a many online stores now as well as the Gambler's Book Shop in Las Vegas. I don't know how long it will take to get to the physical bookstores. Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker table of contents - 350 pages About the Author Acknowledgments Chapter 1 Introduction The Purpose of this Book Who This Book is For The Organization The Evolution of the Hold'em Player Terminology, Acronyms and Conventions Used in This Book Different Limits Chapter 2 Player Types Predictable Players Unpredictable Players Profiling Players Winning or Losing Can Make a Player Change Styles Distinctions Among Loose Players Playing Against Different Types of Loose Players Getting Into Your Opponent's Head Changing Your Play for Deception Playing the Players Game Selection Seat Selection Chapter 3 Expected Value Calculating EV EV Quiz and Answer Chapter 4 Outs Outs and Non-Outs Unknown Cards Counting Outs Terminology Thinking About Outs Identifying and Counting Outs Quiz: Counting Outs Chapter 5 Pot Odds Outs and Pot Odds Implied Pot Odds and Expected Pot Size The Mechanics of Counting the Pot DIPO: "Do I Have Pot Odds?" The Math Behind DIPO Examples and Issues of Using DIPO on the Turn Using DIPO on the Flop DIPO on Flop, DIPO on Turn, Two Different Decisions Myth: Never Draw to an Inside Straight When There is a Raise and More Than 1 Bet to Call Observing Other Players While Counting the Pot More on Pot Odds Quiz: Pot Odds Chapter 6 Position The Value of Position General Positions in a Full Game More on Position Chapter 7 Raising for Free Cards Counter-Strategies to the Free-Card Raise Key Points on Raising for a Free Card Straight Draw Free-Card Raises Overcard Free-Card Raises Raising into Multiple Opponents More Flush Draw Free-Card Game Theory Chapter 8 Bluffing Bluffing Against One Opponent Bluffing in Context of Recent Plays Bluffing Against Multiple Opponents How Often Should You Bluff? Inducing a Bluff To Bluff or To Induce a Bluff Calling a Bluff Chapter 9 Semi-Bluffing Break-Even Point of Semi-Bluffing Raising on the Turn for a Free Showdown After the Opponent's Semi-Bluff or Free-Card Draw Has Hit Chapter 10 Slowplaying and Check-Raising Slowplaying Check-Raising Semi-Bluff Check-Raising and Bluff Check-Raising Check-Raising in a Multiple-Player Pot Check-Raising in a Heads-Up Pot Defending Against a Check-Raise Chapter 11 Summary of Strategies Fancy Play Syndrome Chapter 12 Starting Hands Number of Hands: 1,326 or 169 The AQo Debate Starting Hands Can Change in Value Starting-Hand Actions Sunk Cost and the Blinds Playing the Blinds Stealing the Blinds Playing the Blinds: To Defend or Not to Defend Deceptive Pre-Flop Play Common Mistakes Made With Starting Hands Different Types of Starting Hands Chapter 13 The Flop Thinking on the Flop Betting on the Flop Playing AK on the Flop Kicker Issues Other Flop Issues Chapter 14 The Turn Thinking on the Turn Betting on the Turn Raising on the Turn for a Free Showdown Getting Raised on the Turn Bad Turn and River Cards Large Pots on the Turn Chapter 15 The River The River Paradox Thinking on the River: Heads-Up Thinking on the River: Multiple-Player Pots Chapter 16 Reading Hands Reading the Player Reading Hands on the Flop, the Turn and the River Reading Flushes and Flush Draws Reading Straights and Straight Draws Counter-Intuition Chapter 17 Shorthanded Limit Hold'em Introduction to Shorthanded Limit Hold'em Tables with Different Numbers of Players Playing the Players in Shorthanded Games Strategic Differences Chapter 18 Common Mistakes in Shorthanded Play Mistake #1: Playing Too Many Hands in the Wrong Spots Mistake #2: Trying Too Hard to be Unpredictable Mistake #3: Being Too Predictable Mistake #4: Folding Too Often Mistake #5: Being Too Passive in the Wrong Spots Mistake #6: Being Too Aggressive in the Wrong Spots Mistake #7: Not Using the Option of Calling and Checking Mistake #8: Calling to the River with A-High on a Tough Board Mistake #9: Pre-Flop: Calling When You Should Be Folding or Raising Mistake #10: Post-Flop: Calling Too Often Mistake #11: Frequently Calling Raises in the Small Blind Mistake #12: Not Adjusting to the Tempo and Mood of the Game Mistake #13: Playing Three-Handed Games Like Six-Handed Games Chapter 19 Online Poker Reasons to Play Poker on the Internet Getting Paid and Bonus Hunting Free Games Online Pitfalls of Playing Online Playing Multiple Games Simultaneously Stack Size and Pot Size Online Players Play More Aggressively Online Fluctuations are Higher Deception is Less Useful Taking Advantage of Online Technology Different Results at Different Sites Cheating, Collusion and Glitches Chapter 20 Extra Topics The Monty Hall Problem All-In Situations Getting Counterfeited Playing at Home and on the Road Tells, Feels and Vibes Mental Topics Appendix A Rules The Rules and Mechanics of Limit Hold'Em How a Hand is Made The Cards The Betting The Positions The Nut Hand The Nut Draw Appendix B Other Sources for Limit Hold'em Information Internet Sites Magazines Books Appendix C Probability and Odds Conversion Probability of Independent Events Probability of Related Events Probability of Dependent Events Probability of an Event Occurring with Two Chances Odds Sportsbook Odds Tricky Odds: X for Y More Tables Appendix D Glossary Index [/ QUOTE ] and how does this odds book tie in with big bet poker [NL and Pot Limit]? i predominately play NL Holdem and NL Omaha 8 or better and i've been looking for an Odds book that can help me with the math of BBP. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
sample chapter looks VERY interesting. I'm building up a bit of a backup on poker books to read, but i think this one will take precedent, and i hope amazon gets it to me quickly.
thanks. |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Sorry guy, my book is only on limit hold'em.
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Hey, good to see King's book being discussed! I've read portions of it and have recently had the chance to look over the rest. It is definitely a book any serious player will want to study. As you can see from the table of contents it's very densely packed with immediately useful strategic and tactical information. From past correspondence with King I can say with some confidence that he knows his hold'em, and that this should become one of the key texts for intermediate to advanced players.
Notice as well in the contents the topics covered in this book that you don't see elsewhere. And when King covers something that has been discussed elsewhere he usually goes a few additional steps, examining implications and extensions not found in other texts. Well done Mr. Yao! |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Wow, I just read your sample chapter, I was not expecting much, but i am impressed.
I can't wait to read your section on Short handed play. No set date for release yet? BTW John Feeney, is that you foolin around at my 5-10 table?!? |
Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
[ QUOTE ]
BTW John Feeney, is that you foolin around at my 5-10 table?!? [/ QUOTE ] Nope, there's someone using my name on one or two of the online sites. It's not me. |
Sample chapter link?
I can't find the link for the sample chapter. Can someone post it again for me?
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Re: My book: Weighing the Odds in Hold\'em Poker
Hey Mind,
It's already out...you can buy it on Amazon. |
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