I am reading Ed Miller's reading poker hands. What are some ways to practice/drill on important topics in this book that you guys have used? I have always used a more primitive version of his technique, not counting combos, just simply observing my opponent's tendencies and their actions and going on my gut feeling. I want to refine that to the more common and more precise method he is teaching but I feel the need to have it at my immediate disposal on demand. Perhaps flash cards? Something else? Ideas? A site where you can observe hands being played without knowing hole cards? Any other ideas? Thanks for the help.


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This posting most likely will not be applicable to a vast majority of readers but some may find it useful. I wrote a program that I think does what the OP is looking for, at least for some of the issues. It is an Excel-VBA program.

You input into Excel the number of opponents, opponent ranges, your hand (optional), and the board (optional). You can then specify up to 5 possible opponent hands such as pair > ten, 2 clubs, 88-QQ, etc. as well as combinations such 2 hearts OR AT+, 2 hearts AND AT+, etc. The program through simulation or analytics then provides the probability that at least one opponent has the specified hand(s). Granted it’s not a simple program but I had a lot of fun working on it for several years, adding more and more features and I find it quite useful. If you or a friend programs, you might want to take on the challenge.

Example: You’re playing heads up against an opponent with an estimated range of 25%. You hold Ac Qh and the flop is Qc Jc 9h. You have top pair, top kicker. You are concerned opponent has 2 clubs for a flush draw or a ten for an open-ended straight draw. After entering the required data including number of simulations you will find through one million simulations, the probability opponent holds a ten to be 16.4%, holding two clubs = 1.7% and one or both = 17.7%.

Isn't that very similar to the equity calculator in PT4? I was looking more for useful ways to study the book and the hand ranging system as in drills, workbooks/workouts etc. thanks though.


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You mischaracterized the program – the part I described does not do equity – but since you asked a similar question in the Beginner’s forum, I’ll forego a more detailed response.

I also just started studying this book and I review my hand histories and try to calculate the combos on notepad. Hopefully with practice I will gain speed and find a way of doing it in my head during play.
I´m not sure why you would need flash cards though, please explain.

Is it useful for online games?

If you play live poker, read the course + TGM. No need more.

Sorry, what's "the course" + "TGM"? (nlh newb, here.)

Ok, nevermind on 'The Course' https://www.amazon.com/Course-Seriou...ords=Ed+Miller

"Because in poker, if you play and think like everyone else, you’ll also get results just like everyone else."

What are every one elses results? I'm assuming the statement is implying not good?

Does every one else play the same? And this book open doors to playing significantly differently than all the poker training sites, and nash equiibrium solvers?

TGM = The Grinders Manual.

@Desultory Miller gave good info about live poker metagame. The course theory is old, but very simple and with good advices especifics for live games.

If everyone plays equally good (or equally bad), who is winning (other than the house)?

This thread is about Ed Miller's book and not random poker advice/discussion or suggestions for other books.

This is probably the next book I buy. I bought the Course over the summer and loved it.