Poker strategy system how to calculate odds

This can not be better illustrated than through an example and that is exactly what is going to be done here.

Let’s say you are playing online hold’em and you have a hand of 8, 9 suited in a game with the small blind of $3 and the big blind of $6. Then you call the raise that came from one player and all the other players do that also. There are six players in total in the poker room. So the pot added up to $36 or more from now.

In the flop, the cards you can see are Js , 7h, and 4h.

Now, a difficult decision lies ahead of you. Once you have seen the flop you realize that you have a gutshot to a nuts straight because you are now missing only a 10 from hitting that hand. The idea is to decide whether it is worth it to draw for the nuts or not.

The player in first position bets and the following two players that are stitted before you call. So the pot became somewhere around $45. if you are looking after that gutshot straight then you have to consider the fact that it has 4 outs that are the card you are missing, the 10 in this example. 4 cards out of the total of 47 cards left in the deck. So odds are 4:47. On the river the cards in the deck decrease by one so the odds become 4:46. Simplifying, it turns out that to hit the straight on the turn you have 1:11 chances. The pot odds are in your favor because you now have to call $3 for the amount of $45 accumulated so far.

On the turn, the following cards are placed on the table: 6s, 4h, 7h, Js. This means that you have now the chance to draw to 2 straights and you are hoping for either one of the following cards: a five or a ten. The outs just became 9 for you hand and the odds just improved on your side. Now your odds of hitting the draw are doubled because there are eight outs. And, in addition to that in this case you have the chance of hitting a different hand also, a flush and for that you need any spade card. For the flush there are 9 outs. There is a five of spades and a 10 of spades that are already counted as outs, so they will not be counted again. This basically means that your odds to improve the hand are 9+4:46, meaning 15:46 or about 33% for your draw to hit. This is a pretty good percent and even if the ones situated in front of you bet or raise, you can still get a good pot odd also.

It is crucial for you to learn over time to instantly calculate pot and implied odds both. You have always to calculate you pot odds, based on what is situated now on the table, and then try and think about future bets and recalculate the pod and its odds, this way you get to the true meaning of implied odds.

Are you a problem gambler

Although gambling addiction affects less than 1 percent of all people, it is an issue taken very seriously by online casinos around the world.

A problem gambler is someone who feels this compulsive need to keep gambling despite the affects it is having on his/her life.

There are certain criteria that define a problem gambler, including, but not limited to, gambling until every dollar is gone, gambling a longer period of time than planned, thinking about gambling causes you to lose sleep, you have tried to and can't stop gambling and you leave bills unpaid and spend all your money on gambling.

Addiction gamblers don't always necessarily gamble in regular methods, at casinos or lotteries, for example. People with this problem will bet and gamble on anything, even meaningless bets with friends or coworkers. This contradicts the idea that land-based and online casinos encourage and create problem gamblers. If there isn’t a casino online or nearby, a problem gamble will bet in other ways.

If a person is having trouble determining if they, or someone they know, has a gambling problem there are many tests online from various problem gambling institutes that they can accurately determine if they are affected.

Casinos and online casinos have also taken steps to identify and help problem gamblers, although they acknowledge the fact that most problem gamblers identify themselves first and seek help. If you think that you or a loved one may have a gambling disorder, there are also support groups like Gamblers Anonymous (gamblersanonymous. org/).

This article was written on behalf of Online-Casino ( online-casino. com). At Online Casino we are dedicated to helping problem gamblers and completely advocate responsible gaming.

Nba playoff betting is the zigzag theory valid or poppycock

About this time two years ago, I watched as on one of the fine betting sites there was a not-so-subtle back and forth of the validity of the so-called zigzag NBA playoff system.

The method simply says go with the team off of a loss. A critic came back after the first week or so gleaming over the fact the technique zagged and sagged more than it zigged. It lost money. Then as the playoffs went on, the proponent got the last laugh while the cynic wrote articles on other topics telling you he is smarter than everyone else.

Having been in the industry since the 1980s and having been a supporter of computer systems since prominent statistician Dr. Mike Orkin wrote his Pointspread Analyzer software, where does Center of the Handicapping Universe stand?

We agree with the theory, but less so the etched-in-stone considerations. First of all, let us give a quick refresher of the difference. A system can be measured objectively because the parameters are concrete. The zigzag is an example. Going with a double digit favorite off a single digit loss would be another hypothetical.

Of course there can be modest variances depending on when and where a database gathers lines, but over any statistically significant period it does not make a huge difference.

A theory is much like a system but does not have objective parameters. Our theory is the better the team is that the zigzag system favors and the bigger the margin the loss was, the more compelling it is to "go with the team off a loss."

True one could come up with a system to measure our upgrading of the methodology. An example would be going with a team with a winning percentage of .575 or higher off a loss of eight or more. The problem is we believe a mental sliding scale combining and most importantly, weighing the two factors works best. It allows for a mixing and matching of the two parameters.

For example, this year as in most years, it would not apply or would only be weighed slightly if we are talking about the bottom three seeds in each conference off a loss. There is a reason they are called "mismatches".

No. 4 versus five and the next three rounds of the playoffs (barring huge first round upsets), it is weighed much heavier. Remember we told you the mocker grew conspicuously quieter as the postseason went on. Now you know why.

It’s one of those theories that almost make too much sense. During the regular season of every sport we remind you of the Golden Rule to not merely go with the "team that needs it more" if said team is fighting just to make the playoffs.

We call attention to the fact if a team were proficient at winning "must win" games they would not be playing in must-win games late in the year.

Conversely, a one through five seed, especially as the playoffs go deeper, has shown the ability to rebound from adversity and respond when their backs are to the wall.

To the handicapper there is a titanic difference between desperate elite teams and equally desperate inferior teams playing in a crucial contest. It’s like the difference between seeing Jennifer Lopez and Rosie O’Donnell in a string bikini.

Okay, I don’t follow the analogy myself, but the exemplification of the distinction is infallible. From a handicapping standpoint one can’t measure the success of the zigzag if Phoenix coming off a loss is given the same weight (no pun intended Rosie) as Washington or Golden State following a setback.

Likewise, the margin of the loss is applicable for at least two obvious reasons. As we have said many times, nothing affects public perception more than the last game they have seen. It’s not uncommon for a blowout in the previous game to influence an opening line by 2-3 points and more times than not, the closing line by more.

Plus, no matter how motivated and well-coached a squad is, it defies human nature to approach a game with as much vengeance off a 22-point win as it is for the team off the huge setback.

So to friends and foes alike of zigzag, a .700 or better team off a loss is not even close to being the same as the below .520 teams zigging. Nor is mindset the same for a team that lost a game that went down to the wire the same as one that got humiliated on national television.

How to skyrocket your chances of winning the lottery

If you’re like me then you probably enjoy playing the lottery but are still waiting for the ‘big win’. You may even be disappointed you don’t seem to get very many of those ‘little wins’ either.

I used to be one of those disappointed every week too…

Although everyone knows that the chances of winning the jackpot are astronomically high - many thousands of people still win smaller (and not so small) prizes on games like the UK National Lottery every week. I just didn’t seem to be one of them.

That was until I started discovering some of the secrets a few select people in the know are using every week to -

a) massively increase their chances of winning the jackpot and

b) win smaller prizes on a more regular basis

So, just what are these secrets? I’m glad you asked…

One of the easiest ways of increasing your chances of winning is to simply play more times… “Duh, obviously!” I hear you say, “But that means I have to spend more money… and the whole point is to win it, not spend it!”

Well you’re correct, but did I say anything about paying to play more?

I simply said… to increase your chances of winning… play more times. There are ways of playing multiple times at the fraction of the normal cost… there are even ways you can play entirely for free!

How? Here’s the secret…

To play multiple times for the fraction of the normal cost you need to be part of a well organised lottery syndicate.

Now I’ve heard all the horror stories about lottery syndicates winning and someone running off with the winnings… or one time friends fighting each other through the courts…

Notice, however, I referred to being part of a well organised lottery syndicate. A well organised lottery syndicate that uses a proven mathematical formula… a formula that lets you win more with the same numbers than you would had you played alone... even on lotteries as highly regarded as the UK National Lottery.

I know what you’re thinking – “How can that be? If you have to share your winnings as part of a lottery syndicate how can you win more with the same numbers?”

It’s a good question, let me explain…

As part of a lottery syndicate you can combine your spending power and play smart. This applies to any lottery but for the time being let’s use the UK National Lottery as an example…

To play the UK National Lottery you choose six numbers from between 1 and 49. Now let’s say that you are part of a lottery syndicate with 49 other people. Every week the lottery syndicate has the same five numbers and uses its spending power to buy 44 tickets.

Why 44? Another good question…

If you need to choose six numbers per entry (and you already have five numbers) then all you need to do is buy 44 tickets using the 44 numbers you don’t already have as your sixth number.

The brilliance behind this approach is you are always guaranteed to have at least one ball every draw – which means, in the case of the UK National Lottery, you only need to match two of your lottery syndicate’s numbers to win a prize rather than match three if you played alone.

And because of the way the maths works out there will be multiple winning lines within the 44 when you win… which leads to more money to share within the lottery syndicate.

Your winnings as part of the lottery syndicate using this method are actually higher for matching the same numbers than had you played alone. You also have more chances to win more often too…

In fact your chances of winning the UK National Lottery Jackpot are increased by an amazing 702%!

Now can you see what I mean by playing smart and the power of playing the lottery as part of a lottery syndicate?

How to beat the casinos with their own money - literally

No – you didn’t read the headline incorrectly. With a little patience and discipline you can take advantage of an on-line casino’s generosity and beat them, quite literally, with their own money.

There are hundreds of casinos plying their trade on-line. It’s pretty much a standard feature of every one that they offer new customers a monetary incentive to open an account with them.

These monetary incentives are generally either a:

· fixed amount of money – for example $100

· match bonus – the casino matches the amount of your initial deposit

· percentage amount – they’ll add a percentage amount on top of your initial deposit

Some of the new account incentive offers are very good indeed. Obviously, the casino is adding the money to new account holders not only to attract new business, but they know that the average player will gamble it all away on the tables and keep coming back for more losing much more that the incentive they’ve given the new player.

Sound business sense from the casino – right?

Not necessarily – the clever casino player can turn the tables and the odds in his (or her) favour by playing “perfect blackjack.”

The bonus incentives come with strings attached – the casinos are not silly enough to allow you to withdraw your bonus money straight away – you have to play it through a few times first so you might lose it!

Each casino has its own terms though a typical example is that they may require you to wager the bonus amount say 20 times. So if they’ve given you $100 as a new account bonus you would have to place wagers to the cumulative value of $2000.

By playing “perfect blackjack” you really can walk off with your initial stake intact and a sum on top courtesy of the money the casino have given you.

The house edge (percentage the casino might expect to win) from blackjack variable depending on conditions but generally in the region of 5%. In other words the casino expects to win $5 for every $100 a player bets.

However – by applying basic blackjack strategy (“perfect blackjack”) you can reduce the house edge to 1% or even less.

Now – back to the $100 new account bonus and $2000 wagering requirement example above. You’ve deposited $100 and got your free $100 making $200 in your account. Under the terms of the bonus incentive, you have to wager $2000.

By utilising basic strategy you reduce the house edge to 1% - thus on average you expect to lose 1% over the course of meeting the wagering requirements (2000 hands assuming flat betting $1 per hand). Each hand you play counts towards the wagering requirement.

1% of $2000 is just $20 – you can cash out with Ј180 left in your account. You’ve still got your initial $100 and you’ve taken an extra $80 from the casino literally out of their own pocket. Repeat the process at other casinos and you can rack up a tidy amount of money.

Some casinos even give monthly bonus incentives so you have the opportunity to take their money from the every month!

You won’t win every time – sometimes you’ll bust out and lose, other times you might win more than the above example. But by playing blackjack with the application of basic strategy it is entirely possible to literally beat the casino with their own money.

I personally use this technique and make money doing so. It’s possible that you can do the same – but if you give it a try, please never, never gamble with money you cannot afford to lose.

Good luck at the tables!

An introduction to online poker

According to studies, around eighty million Americans enjoy playing poker. With the growing number of online poker sites, more people are joining the burgeoning pool of enthusiasts who enjoy this game. Apart from offering a wider range of games and sites, online poker gives you the opportunity to play with more seasoned players from across the globe. You can rub shoulders with professional poker players online, and perfect your gaming skills.

It is difficult to find the best site to play poker. It all depends on what you want at that time. If you are keen to have good tournaments and good customer service, Poker Stars is where you should anchor. On the other hand, if you are using Linux or Mac, you should frequent websites which offers Java-based services. In a nutshell, there will be only a handful of poker sites where you would find a real poker game. These sites don’t indulge in gimmicks to lure traffic, as they are popular for their content.

Worrying about losing the deposit money is a genuine concern while playing online. Playing with established poker sites can safeguard you against these risks. These sites are regulated by gaming commissions, backed by leading financial companies and therefore assured to give winners their due. However, keep your eyes open, as these commissions are not authorized by the government and work fairly only to maintain their own reputations.

Online poker forums are an excellent source for beginners and experts to meet and discuss the fine points of the game. They can offer advice and feedback which is free and very helpful. Using a credit card is considered wise while funding online poker games. They work as a safety net for problems like overcharging and scams.

Jekyll and hyde women s new alter ego in the world of online gambling

“Women enjoy gambling!” A statement that has continued to surprise many people, but it’s a fact that gambling has become a pursuit many women these days enjoy free of guilt. As women become more financially and personally independent, they are rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with.

Women see gambling more than just betting money on a game or dropping coins in a slot machine; it’s a holistic experience that embodies all the senses. Ask a man about a trip to the casino and he’ll tell you about the gambling and the money he won or loss. Ask a woman about a trip to the casino and she will tell you about the shows, the shopping, the atmosphere, the food and drink in the casino itself, and oh by the way, she lost or won some money.

Current observations reveal a growth in women taking up poker online, with studies showing that like their bricks and mortar sisters, women enjoy the “social” interaction of internet poker and the need for to escape the grind of daily life without spending a fortune for that experience!

Online gambling has allowed more women to become adventurous in the risks they take. The online arena facilitates their inner growl, letting women live each gambling moment as a lion rather than a lamb; the demure, prim and proper appearance of a lady no longer applies when gambling online. Women can therefore pretty much hold their own. Even when playing against men, they are not afraid of men excluding or patronising the so called “weaker sex”. Not only that but the convenience of having entertainment provided in the safe confines of their own home means that women with children no longer have to worry about hiring a nanny for the evening. They can play when it suits them night or day without ‘risking’ the need to stop their winning streak.

Today, the number of online casinos catering for women is staggering. With each site offering a wide variety of games and gambling opportunities, internet poker offers women the opportunity to play the games in a non-threatening environment without having to deal with overbearing male egos. The lack of females frequenting offline bookmakers and to an extent some men who are too nervous to visit those dens of vice are prime examples of how the internet has broken down this barrier. It’s refreshing to see that women who gamble online can now firmly take off the mask played in the real world, let their inhibitions go and be the deadly wild card once thought of as the underdog.

Ways to expand your poker knowledge

Over the past few years, and especially of late, the popularity of online poker has been rapidly increasing. Current statistics show that there are as many as 100,000 new people signing up to play online every month. As more and more players enter the picture, the competition gets tougher. No matter how good you think you are, you will at some point or another always run into someone that is better than you. To ensure that you stay at the top of your game, it is important that you are always looking for new techniques and information to help you improve your skill at the game. Even the most experienced players can usually always benefit from brushing up their skills, and most do, that is how they stay ahead of the game. Mistakes in poker can be very costly, and it is in your best interest as a player to avoid making them whenever possible. The more knowledge and skill you have, the less likely you will be to make costly errors in your game play.

The most obvious thing to learn is the rules of the game. It is important to be familiar with all of the rules and terminology before you ever really begin to play. If you start to play a game without knowing the terminology, you are going to be lost. Every beginner should start building their poker skill and knowledge with this step.

Next to knowing the rules and terminology of the game, you also need to learn about calculating odds and betting. Calculating odds will help you determine your chances of winning a particular game. Everyone needs to learn the ins and outs of betting successfully, unless they always want to leave the game empty handed.

There are many sources that can help you in your poker education. Many online poker gaming sites offer online poker schools. These schools are designed mostly for new players to learn the basics of each game, which is a good way to learn the rules and terminology.

It also would be helpful to research article databases for information as well. Many of these articles are written by poker players, and can offer valuable insight as to some of the mistakes they have made and how to avoid them. Articles can also provide you with helpful hints and tips that you can use to develop of beef up your playing strategy.

There are also many valuable books that have been written on the game of poker. Some of these books may be found online as e-books, and many of them may be found for free in your local library. The internet can be a huge source of information on the subject as well. You may also benefit from visiting online poker forums where you can chat with and ask questions of other players.

If you have friends or family that play the game, they can also be a good resource. They could play a few games with you and offer insight that could draw attention to your mistakes, maybe little things that you weren’t even aware of.

The more you learn about the game of poker, the bigger the advantage you will have over other players. All it really takes is commitment to learn, and a little bit of spare time. Who knows? You could turn yourself into a poker pro!

Remember, you are your best critic. You should always analyze your game and look for things that you can tweak to make you a more successful player.