It's quite obvious that things that are more rare are easier to remember. But the way this works in poker is quite amazing, I think. That's because there are 2 factors instead of just 1 - value and suit. They both perfectly cooperate with the difficulty level of memorization within a 5 card poker hand.

So, when you are dealt 5 random cards from a 52 deck and asked to remember them (value and suit) for as long as you can, you can be sure that:

>>>The higher the hand strength (type), the longer time you'll be able to remember the cards.


T J Q K A - You have to remember only 1 suit.

4 5 6 7 8 - You have to remember 1 suit and one value (top card).

A A A A 6 - You have to remember one value + one value with suit (kicker).

7 7 7 K K - You have to remember one value with 3 suits (trips) + one value with 2 suits (pair).

K J 9 6 2 - You have to remember five values and 1 suit.

7 8 9 T J - You have to remember five values with 5 suits.

4 4 4 8 A - You have to remember one value with 3 suits (trips) + two values with 2 suits (kickers).

8 8 2 2 5 - You have to remember one value with 2 suits (pair) + one value with 2 suits (pair) + one value with suit (kicker).

Q Q 2 5 9 - You have to remember one value with 2 suits (pair) + three values with 3 suits (kickers).

3 4 7 9 K - You have to remember five values with 5 suits.


I'm not sure where this leads to, but it must lead somewhere...

For my hole cards, I find the values easy to recall. For suits I use acronyms. Ie 7d6c would be 76 District of Columbia, AhQd would be Ace Queen Hard Drive.

It's not very useful at a poker table, but as far as the science goes, it's a small discovery

So, what you're saying is, there are fewer ways to make rare hands?

Yes, I don't really understand why anyone would need to memorise the board when it's right in front of them?

Well, yes, but what if you win a big tournament and there's a flush on the board in the final hand. You are going to remember this hand for a much longer time than if it was only a pair

I know something about it because in 2008 I hit a spade Royal Flush in MTT I will remember for the rest of my life even though it wasn't the final hand

Hmmmm, what do you mean ?

I only claim, that human brain remembers stronger hands for a longer time than weak ones.

I'm sure this leads to something bigger, but I haven't figured it out yet.