I recently listed to a This American Life episode about professional poker players, who learned how to accurately estimate pot odds in Texas Hold-Em based upon their hands and the revealed cards, rigidly bet/folded based upon those odds, and won a lot of money. Is there any reason I can't do the same if I knew how to memorize the calculations they use? If so, where would I start (what books/websites contain this info?) and why can't I just automate that process (or consult a table of calculations) and win a lot of money in online poker?
posted by sdis on Apr 25, 2013 - 10 answers

Recently, I was asked for my husband's SSN (no idea) and my license plate number (usually I know this, but it's newly registered so again, no idea). I got funny looks when I didn't know these things, which made me wonder-- what other similar information should I memorize or otherwise have readily at hand? [more inside]
posted by charmcityblues on Jan 8, 2013 - 36 answers

What are the historical dates you are always glad you remember? Are there any well-recognized, history book dates that help you pin your sense of history together more than other dates do? [more inside]
posted by circular on Mar 3, 2011 - 33 answers

study skills filter: how should I memorize information in pharmacology? [more inside]
posted by genmonster on Mar 30, 2009 - 13 answers

Scientists out there, what are the best physical constants or material properties to have memorized for back-of-the-envelope calculations? [more inside]
posted by SBMike on Jul 17, 2007 - 25 answers

I could use your help hive mind. I'm currently taking an accounting course in college, and I'm having difficulties with financial statements and what gets reported where. I'm looking a mnemonic system that can embed this into my brain, as well as tricks and formulas which can help simplify this for me. [more inside]
posted by dropkick on Jan 18, 2007 - 6 answers