The Mathematics of Poker ...

[Dodoubled]

Well, my eagerly anticipated copy of "The Mathematics of Poker" arrived today. I love Amazon. Quick, easy and never lets you down. Sort of like a $10 .. ah, never mind.

Anyhow, I haven't had much time to digest it. I spent much of the evening in Philly at a dinner with my folks, my cousin and girlfriend, but after literally flipping through it three times, I have this to say:

1.) You wanted a textbook, Defendant? Hope you've brushed up on your advanced algebra and calc. As Chris Jesus Ferguson himself said, if he ever taught a poker course at UCLA, this would be the only book on the syllabus.
Why? Because it might take two or three semesters to get through. (He didn't actually say this last part.)

2.) Bill Chen aced his SAT, GMAC, MCAT, LSAT, CPA, CFA, GED and every other test he ever took. Ankenman wasn't far behind.

3.) I haven't seen most of the symbols in this book since the last time I was on Fraternity Row at Penn State. I didn't know what they meant then, either. It took me four years to realize the letters Tappa and Kegga weren't a part of the Greek alphabet.

4.) Stale jokes aside, this looks like the kind of book that could have a profound impact on the game. The biggest issue, I think, will be whether people will be patient enough to digest the information in it. I certainly will be. But it may take three, four, even five thorough readings before I'm comfortable with it. I'm sure some of you will have a much easier time with it. I'll be curious to see what others think once they get ahold of it.