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Revision as of 20:02, 20 November 2006 by Rray (talk | contribs) (→The Chen Formula: Titles of books are italicized; shorter works like articles belong in quotation marks.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Nickname(s) | None |
|---|---|
| Hometown | Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania |
| World Series of Poker | |
| Bracelet(s) | 2 |
| Money finishes | 9 |
William (Bill) Chen is a quantitative analyst, poker player and software designer with a Ph.D. in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley.
At the 2006 World Series of Poker Chen won two events, a $3000 limit hold 'em event with a prize of $343,618, and a $2500 no limit hold 'em short-handed event with a prize of $442,511. Prior to these events Chen's previous largest tournament win was for $41,600 at a no limit hold 'em event at the Bicycle Casino's Legends of Poker in 2000.
Chen has been a longtime participant in the rec.gambling.poker newsgroup and its B.A.R.G.E offshoot. He is also a member of Team PokerStars.
With Jerrod Ankenman, Chen coauthored the The Mathematics of Poker, an introduction to quantitative techniques and game theory as applied to poker, set to be published at the end of November 2006.
As of 2006, his total live tournament winnings exceed $935,000.
The Chen Formula
Prior to his breakout 2006 performance, Chen authored the Chen Formula which was published in Lou Kreiger's 2000 book Hold 'Em Excellence. The formula ranks starting hands by assigning them a numerical value, as follows:
- Determine your highest card and score as follows: (only use your lower card for gap and suited analysis)
- Ace = 10 points
- King = 8 points
- Queen = 7 points
- Jack = 6 points
- 10 through 2 = half of face value (i.e. 10 = 5, 9 = 4.5)
- Pairs, multiply score by 2 (i.e. KK = 16), minimum score for a pair is 5 (so pairs of 2 through 4 get a 5 score)
- Suited cards, add two points to highest card score
- Determine the gap in the sequence
- Connectors add 1 point (i.e. KQ)
- One gap, subtract 1 point (i.e. T8)
- Two gap, subtract 2 points (i.e. AJ)
- Three gap, subtract 4 points (i.e. J7)
- Four or more gap, subtract 5 points (i.e. A6)
Sample scores AA = 20 points 98s = 7.5 points K9s = 6 points
Bibliography
- William Chen and Jerrod Ankenman (2006). The Mathematics of Poker. Conjelco. ISBN 1-886070-25-3.