man, this thread is a real "deep read." sorry, i skimmed most of it. but, and it may have already been stated, i believe poker goes beyond math. yes, it is about long-term profitable decisions, but INSTINCT and reading ability is a serious talent to have/obtain.

your win rates, or money earned, depend not only on mathematical probabilities, but also on your ability to possibly drop a hand when you know you are beat, but are still getting the odds to call.

what do you do when you have the straight, the river pairs the board and completes a flush? how bout when you know your opponent only plays the nuts and he bets 1/5 the pot on the river? sure, math says to call, but.......why throw good money after bad for the sake of math?