Strategy systems and methods for a poker game

Abstract

A series of strategy cards that provide a convenient means for players of a Texas Hold'em Poker game to judge the strength of their pre-flop hands, otherwise referred to as their hold card sets or combinations. The relative strength of hold cards in Texas Hold'em Poker changes based on the number of players that are in a pot. The relative strength information is presented to the player in an easy to understand matrix that utilizes ordinal rankings and possibly a color coding scheme. The strategy systems may be shaded based on expected value, and the hold card sets may be abbreviated to allow both easy reference and allow printing onto small form factors that are convenient for pocket storage.

1 . A strategy system usable during a card game, the strategy system comprising:
 a plurality of hold card sets arranged in a selected order in a first matrix;   a ranking scheme applied to the plurality of hold card sets, wherein the ranking scheme is determined from a mathematical simulation involving a superposition of probabilities and wherein the ranking scheme provides a visual representation of a relative strength of each of the hold card sets arranged in the first matrix.   
   
   
       2 . The strategy system of  claim 1  wherein the ranking scheme includes a color coding scheme representing the relative strength of each of the hold card sets arranged in the first matrix. 
   
   
       3 . The strategy system of  claim 1  wherein the visual representation of the ranking scheme includes an ordinal ranking indicia that is located proximate an abbreviated representation for each possible combination of hold card sets. 
   
   
       4 . The strategy system of  claim 1  wherein the strategy system includes a legend that corresponds to a color coding scheme for the plurality of hold card sets. 
   
   
       5 . A method for determining a strategy for a card game, the method comprising:
 determining a number of various combinations of hold cards, which are two cards dealt to each player to commence a hand of cards;   determining a relative ranking for each combination of hold cards using a mathematical simulation to evaluate a probability as to whether one or both of a selected set of hold cards could be expected to be part of a winning hand, wherein the probability is based in part on a number of players placing wagers during a hand played during the card game; and   representing the relative rankings for each combination of hold cards to at least one player involved in the hand of cards, wherein the represented rankings assist the at least on player in making a decision to continue wagering or abandon the hand.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein determining the relative ranking for each combination of hold cards using the mathematical simulation includes determining the relative ranking based on a Monte Carlo simulation. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  wherein representing the relative rankings for each combination of hold cards to at least one player involved in the hand of cards includes representing the relative rankings using a color coded scheme. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein representing the relative rankings using the color coded scheme includes displaying a legend that corresponds to the color coded scheme. 
   
   
       9 . A method of playing a hand of cards in a poker card game, the method comprising:
 receiving at least two hold cards as a hand of cards commences;   viewing a relative strength of the at least two hold cards before any community cards are dealt; and   deciding, based at least in part on viewing the relative strength of the at least two hold cards, whether to continue wagering or abandon the hand of cards.   
   
   
       10 . A strategy method for a card game comprising:
 arranging a number of playing cards in a representational array that permits a first card and a second card located in the array to have an association;   determining a relative ranking for each association in the array; and   representing the relative rankings for each association on a tangible medium such that the represented rankings are usable by a player in determining whether to continue wagering or abandon a hand of cards.