as some of u know or not = i have picked up SSHE and ToP im reading SSHE first, the book has told me to read over the whole book before rereading any sections. so im reading about pot odds implied odds and pot equity and to me its hard as hell to understand. im wondering if anyone of u had trouble understanding this the first time as well or did u guys get it reading it the first time?

Well, I have a one degree in Architecture and another in Building Science... and no I didn't understand it the first time I read it. It took me 2 0r 3 times to get pot odds, 3 0r 4 times to get implied odds and I still don't have my brain wrapped around pot equity. So, don't feel bad, not too many people really understand it the first time around.

BTW, both are those books are really dense reading. I read Sklansky's "Hold 'Em Poker" and "Hold 'Em Poker for Advanced Players" before I read those two you have. I wouldn't recommend reading SSHE before HEPFAP because it's very easy to misinterpret and incorrectly apply some of the concepts in SSHE.

check this out:
http://www.pokersavvy.com/learnholdem/unde...andingodds.html

http://www.fullcontactpoker.com/poker-foru...opic.php?t=3836

some guy also posted a really great thread here on pot equity that really opened up my eyes. (too lazy to do a search)

Also go over to www.twoplustwo.com and do a forum search for pot equity in quotation marks. It will bring up some good info (just make sure u set the search to look for any date). Heres one:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat...&fpart=all&vc=1

and another:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showflat...w=&sb=5&o=&vc=1

Pot odds and equity, etc. seemed like hard concepts at first, but after a little big of thinking and seeing them applied, they just click. I use an odds chart next to my computer or did, until I memorized odds of cards to come, pot odds speak for themselves.

Pot equity: heres a really basic basic example.

5 people in the pot including u. You have four to a flush on the flop, so u need one more card to make it. thats 9 outs. You are 35 percent to make it by the river. Since there are 5 people contributing money, every one has a 20 percent stake, but u have a 35 percent chance to win, so you have an equity of 35 percent in the pot, so u should rasie it for value.

Oh yeah, as to your other question.

Nope, didnt get it on the first try. I really gained my understanding from the threads I posted and the forums I searched. The books are really dense (but very good)...I just always felt that they glossed over this area and never went into any sort of really great detail. So the threads I posted are what helped me, and hence gave me a much greater insight into the books.

I find posting and asking questions are a great way to compliment the reading you are going through.

Any books you get won't cover the odds as much as this book as the more advanced books take it that you know them. Don't bother rushing through the book to finish it as it would be a waste. Keep reading and it'll start to sink in. Learn to count outs and how much the you have to put in to the pot to hit one of these outs.

Best thing is that when get a grip on these outs you'll see the same scenarios and situations that you'll automatically know how many outs you have and whats odds they are. ie. You only have to put effort in to learn these early on then it becomes second nature to it. Just stick with it. Oh and something I found that helped me is that if it took me this amount of time and studying to learn this stuff just think of the poor fish who have no idea that this stuff exists :twisted: ><{{{{'>