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DATE: May 24 2012
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Poker.co.uk - Poker News Archive

Wednesday 12th November 2008

'Maths makes millions' at poker

Peter Eastgate's triumph at the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas this week was made possible by the Danish player's understanding of the laws of probability, it has been claimed.

Writing in the Times, Marcus du Sautoy says that poker players require two main skills to reach the top of the game - "psychology … and a good handle on mathematics".

The psychological element refers to the ability to read opponents at the poker table, while maths skills can furnish players with the ability to calculate the probability of winning hands.

Eastgate won over $9 million (£5.8 million) in the WSOP main event on Tuesday (November 11th), defeating Russian player Ivan Demidov in heads-up play.

Analysing the final hand, Du Sautoy states that, because Eastgate held a straight – ascending numerical cards – he knew the only way his opponent could beat him was with a higher straight.

This meant that out of Demidov's 990 possible hands, only 12 could win, representing a chance of about one per cent.

As he was only holding two pairs, Eastgate assessed the probability correctly and was crowned WSOP champion.

The 22-year-old from Odense is the youngest ever player to win the WSOP main event.

Source: Direct News

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