Also, about studying. Winning chances, and the mathematics are something I wish to understand fuly (im not too shabby at mental arithmetic). What would be some recommended reading?
understanding ranges -
http://www.bluffmagazine.com/magazine/"G-Bucks"-Conceptualizing-Money-Matters.-Phil-Galfond-985.htm
http://www.bluffmagazine.com/magazine/Wait,-Weight-Phil-Galfond-932.htmhttp://www.thepokerbank.com/strategy/mathematics/g-bucks/counting combo"s etc etc is a form of Bayes Theorem like Galfond points out, against predictable players its great
but against very good players who mix up their play since they are smart and logical, you simply have to use a opponent model that includes the concept of mixing it up... they will make plays based on implied odds and bluffing and deception, but they generally won"t make purely bad plays, so guesstimation as i call it is required
the concept of guesstimation is also needed for BAD players
because generally the worse the opponent, the less precision you will have in your estimation, because there play is very erratic
so when you are thinking about their play, you have to think that they just may be making a huge mistake pre or post, and allow for that in your guesstimations
a bit of maths -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poker_probability_(Texas_hold_%27em)
going back to the subject/concept of ranges for differing styles/skill levels of opponents -
you need to use a model in your head that"s specific to each inidividual - are they loose, aggressive, do they mix it up, are they just a bad player that plays every hand, etc.
for any estimation, you need to think about the situation yourself and your opponent/s maybe in, post flop try to take the ranges idea to the point where you can imagine how a opponent will react with there range based on what your action might be, or how do they view your range when they bet and see you call etc etc... try to guesstimate what your opponent will have in the future if you make a certain action and how his range will respond...
nothing new in the above, thats basically poker boiled down....
and on improving in general here is a Galfond quote to think about -
Think about the value of plays that you often don't consider. Think about different ways a hand can play out, and what you have to gain or lose by taking an alternate line.