This is a freshman seminar on optimal play in poker, specifically Texas Hold'em. We will focus mainly on low-limit Texas Hold'em, although we will discuss how no-limit differs. Class time will be roughly evenly divided between discussing theory and actual play (with the intent of applying the theory).
In addition to the basic rules of play, we will cover:
This seminar is a special offering of a more general freshman seminar I offer on optimal play in casino games, or "How to gamble, if you must" (from the title of the 1965 classic book on stochastic processes by Lester Dubins and Leonard Savage). We survey some of the most popular casino games, and consider questions such as: Where are the best bets in a casino? What factors determine how much you should bet? How large should your stake be given a minimal bet? What are the chances that ultimately, you will be "ruined," and how long will it take? Do betting systems work?
Instructor: Joseph Pasquale Books: MENSA Guide to Casino Gambling Winning Ways Andrew Brisman Sterling Publishing, 1999 Bringing Down the House Ben Mezrich Free Press, 2002