Equilibrium Push Strategy (Including Nash Charts)

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Equilibrium Push Strategy (Including Nash Charts)

A poker based television show in Australia has sent many viewers on the search of articles titled “The Equilibrium Pushing Strategy”. I decided I would go and do just that myself, see what information was available on this rarely talked about poker strategy (amongst beginners). For extremely skilled players I found the information suitable. For the beginners, the word equilibrium is enough to turn them off the subject as is the content available on it. I have decided to write about this subject for you, in terms easy to understand (and the very basics of the strategy) so that hopefully you will read past the title.

Let's first define the word equilibrium. It is a stable situation in which forces cancel one another. In cancelling one another they are EQUAL. A condition in which all acting influences are cancelled by others, resulting in a stable, balanced, or unchanging system. The word equilibrium is used beyond poker tables to even emergency rooms in hospitals where drugs can be used to counteract the effect of other drugs.

Let's now refer this to a heads-up poker situation. The poker player with the lowest chip stack is going to want exactly what is written above – no change to it, unless the change is UP! The same applies to the biggest stack in theory, the biggest stacked player doesn't want the small stack gaining, only themselves. In the situation both players used a balancing technique by playing high ranked hands and pushing the other to fold, in the end the smallest stack would blind out . Let me explain why.

Above is a table called the Heads-Up Push / Fold Nash Equilibrium, along with a call table. The table’s are what the article is about. Lets say that both the short and large stacked heads-up players push with pocket pairs (aqua) causing folds by their opponent not once but over and over again the short stack would eventually blind out. Its as simple as that.

There are many complicated equations one can examine regarding this strategy. There is a lot of in-depth information. My main point to this article is to get the message across that learning the push and call charts is a must; particularly in a heads up poker situation. If not you can use another strategy (for live) which I will discuss at a later date. If playing online having these charts next to you is a very good idea!

I am guessing prior to reading the charts there is no way that many of you would push with certain hands such as pushing with 7/9os with just 5 blinds left. This is why having the chart handy for a mathematical reference is a must.

The above charts are widely used and very straight forward. Again, further in-depth and complicated equations and knowledge do apply. This is just a basis to give beginners an understanding.

In addition you must always must make sure to pay full attention to you opponents tells in-case of trap and steal situations. The graphs are a great guide to kicking butt though.

Remember that the numbers on the charts are related to the amount of blinds you have left and the colours the hand types and equilibrium NASH away!

Remember to use this for tournaments not cash!