Applications of No-limit Hold ’em: A Guide to Understanding Theoretically Sound Poker

One of the most daunting moments in a poker player s career occurs when he realizes his knowledge of how to play a specific hand well is incomplete without the additional understanding of how to play every other hand in his range well. This task would be impossible if a player had to actually think about every other hand in his range, but by understanding theoretical sound poker, he can quickly design balanced ranges using the proper bet-sizing while playing. Applications of No-Limit Hold em teaches theoretical sound poker, and thus the ability to create the bet-sizings and ranges which will beat the better players. The theory in this book is not designed to be complex or abstract, but rather it s intended to be applied immediately producing better overall results. Many confusing concepts such as overbetting, balancing multiple bet-sizing ranges, donk betting, and check-raising as the preflop raiser are crucial to a player s strategy despite few players implementing them or talking about them. And after reading this book, you should be able to not only conceptually understand these ideas, but also know how to begin incorporating them into your game, and thereby successfully compete against tough opponents.

Matthew Janda has had an interest in card games his entire life, and began playing poker with friends in high school before playing online cash games in college. While originally studying business economics at UCLA, a game theory course sparked his interest in poker theory and optimal play.

Currently, Matthew continues to make poker training videos for CardRunners and all of his videos are theory based and designed to teach players the math necessary for improving their play without going into unnecessary or impractical details. He s never been one to discuss what line is best with a specific hand, but rather uses computer programs to display what action he thinks is best with each hand in his entire range.

Matthew is applying for medical school in 2013 and hopes to be a physician one day. He s currently finishing up his required science classes and volunteering, but poker remains his favorite hobby.