Comments on: Q&A #18: Sklansky-Chubukov Numbers

By: MatthewT125

MatthewT125 — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 18:17:16 +0000

Hello, it is a little unclear to me on how to use these numbers. I have been reading No Limit Hold Em by David Sklansky and Ed Miller and while the whole rest of the book was very clear, that part was just a little bit fuzzy to me. I know what the numbers mean, I’m just unsure of how to exactly apply them. How do I adjust the numbers for different blinds in other words?

By: Ed Miller

Ed Miller — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 14:40:53 +0000

I don’t know about a “terrible” error, but yes, the S-C numbers, while exact for what they seek to measure (playing the hand face-up), are only an approximate guide for actual face-down strategy. The dividing thing is another approximation, and if you pile fuzziness on top of fuzziness too much, eventually you’ll end up with something that doesn’t have value.

By: farrell hinkle

farrell hinkle — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 13:23:09 +0000

What is the questioner Kevin referring to with SSS and GSIH?

Although you do not recommend using the S-C numbers for positions far from the button would it be a terrible error to divide the S-C number by three for the cutooff and /or four from the hijack position?

Thank you

By: Optisizer

Optisizer — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 01:19:38 +0000

I dont understand why you are complicating things so much? Why not calculate and express the S-C number in big blind units instead of a dollar value specifically for a $1-2 game. I think that would be much easier to understand for every one. Then it actually also would be a “number” rather than a “value” or “dollar amount”.
At least that’s what I did when I read the book. made much more sense to me…

By: Kevin

Kevin — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 15:07:42 +0000

Actually, I think this strategy compliments well the SSS (which I regularly employ thanks to GSIH) from the button and small blind whenever the situation permits. Apart from the +EV of the move itself, that would help in promoting a wild image and encourage action when you need it in other positions with premium hands.

I have gone through the S-C chapters of NLTAP (yes, I do have all your books Ed), and I agree (do I have another option?) that S-C should ideally be used when you are out of position, and therefore ideal in the situation described above. However in a heads-up tournament, unfortunately the small blind actually has position on the big blind. Any adjustments the big blind can make, as the option to move in would ideally be available to him as he will be out of position throughout the hand?

By: Ed Miller

Ed Miller — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 16:58:51 +0000

Sure, it’s safe to recommend S-C numbers to him, at least as long as you explain exactly how they work. They are a mathematical lower bound, so to speak, so as long as your stack is shorter than the S-C number, you won’t go too wrong pushing.

It’s ok to apply S-C numbers early on when the stacks are still large, but often there are better plays than simply pushing in that case. So when the stacks are still fairly deep, I would say, practically speaking, that he’ll rarely use the S-C numbers directly.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 15:47:53 +0000

Hi Ed,

I have a friend who is obsessed with heads up play at very beatable levels ($10 buy-in). Is it safe to recommend S-C rankings to him in this particular game (heads up). And is it OK play to apply S-C numbers early in the game when stacks are still large compared to the blinds?

Thanks and keep up the good work!
Kevin