Rules Application

This application is invoked as follows:

    java com.lotspiech.poker.strategy.Rules strategy-file rules-file

The strategy file is the binary file you previously created using the strategy application. The rules file is a file you create manually. You list hand patterns, in the order in which you should play them. This application will tell you how close your strategy is to the optimal strategy, both showing you the hands that differ, and showing you the net return for your strategy.

I devised a language to describe various poker hands. Below is an example optimal strategy for jacks-or-better, to illustrate this "rules language". Here's a quick description of it:
 

• You can introduce a new character to present a group of cards, e.g.

    t = AKQJT means that 't' is matched by all ranks Ace throw Ten
• You use {} to denote cards of the same suit, e.g.

    {ttttt} is cards A-T of the same suit, i.e., a royal flush.
• You use [] to denote cards in a straight. Use '.' to denote gaps. {[]} denotes a straight flush.
• You use () to denote cards of the same rank, e.g.

    (ttt) would be three of a kind, either three aces, three kings, etc.
• You use pattern1~|pattern2| to match a hand only if it matches pattern1 but other cards in the hand do not also match pattern2.
• You use pattern1=>pattern2 when you want to match pattern1, but only hold the cards in it that are part of pattern2.
• You use # to mark the "draw 5" pattern. Thus, this only makes sense for the last pattern in the file.
• You can put a comment on any line.

t=AKQJT
j=AKQJ
k=KQJT
x=t98765432
s=876
n=987
e=98
{ttttt} - royal flush
{[xxxxx]} - straight flush
{tttt}  - 4 cards to royal flush
(xxxx)x - four of a kind
(xxx)(xx) - full house
{xxxxx} - pat flush
[xxxxx] - pat straight
(xxx) - three of a kind
(xx)(xx) - two pair
{[xx.xx]} - four cards to SF
(jj) - jacks or better
{jjj} - 3 cards to royal flush
{[Aj..T]}~|[x]|
{kkk} - 3 cards to royal flush, no Ace
{xxxx} - 4 cards to a flush
{ttt} - 3 cards to royal flush
KQJT - better than pair
(xx) - SLP: shitty little pair
[xxxx] - outside straight
{[jj.x]} - inside SF w/2 winners
{[j.xx]} - Inside SF w/1 winner
{[jj..x]} - DI SF w/2 winners
{[xxx]} - outside SF
{QJ}~|9|~|{x}|
AKQJ
{jj} - two winners to a royal straight
{QT8}~|J|
{JT7}
tttt - 4 cards to a royal straight
{Q98}KJ=>KQJ9
{[j.x.x]} - double inside SF w/1 winner
KQJ9 - inside straight w/3 winners
{[x.xx]}
{JT}~|Q|~|K{x}|
{QT}~|J|~|{x}|~|K|
KQJ
QJ
KQ
KJ
jj - two winners with an Ace
{JT}
{QT}
{KT}~|9{x}|
j - one high card
{[x.x.x]}
# - draw 5 cards