Increasing the Edge Odds
3. Increasing the Edge Odds
The good player designs a game to yield maximum edge odds. The theoretical maximum edge odds occur only when the perfect player is in the most complex game, under the most confusing circumstances, against the poorest players. While the conditions for theoretical maximum edge odds can never be achieved, the good player strives to approach them. The perfect situation is represented by the completion of the Diamond shown below. The Diamond measures the idealness of a poker game for the good player.
How far does John Finn go toward completing the Diamond? How much further could he increase his edge odds in the Monday night game? He makes the following estimations:
Playing with the Diamond 75 percent complete, John’s edge odds are about 65 percent. He estimates that under the best conditions, the Diamond would be 85 percent complete, and thus his edge odds could improve to a maximum of 74 percent. That estimation of maximum edge odds establishes a goal toward which John Finn can strive.
