If a decision is profitable it is said to be +EV, and if it is not profitable, it is -EV.Ī very simple example of using a theoretically balanced strategy is when a player uses a range of open-raising hands. This can be measured by expected value (EV). Understood mathematically, poker’s complexity runs deep - from the particular hand you open from each position, to a seemingly unimportant check on the river in a small pot, every decision influences your win-rate as a poker player. As poker has become more popular over the last 15 years or so, players have improved dramatically, to the point where it’s very difficult to consistently to beat the game without game theory knowledge in your corner. John Nash developed game theory as a branch of mathematics at Princeton University around 1950. 4 benefits of using game theory influenced strategy.

An example from Doug Polk that highlights game theory’s importance.

Why you should use a game theory-influenced strategy.

The most obvious change is that old-school players made their millions from exploitative play, whereas almost all players making millions now depend on poker game theory - with exploitative play mixed in - to take their game to the next level.

So much so that many strategy resources including some books, videos and digital content have become out-dated. Poker has evolved rapidly in recent years.

Hyper poker