Having had to describe what I do to more relatives than I care to remember recently pushed me to be creative in getting people to understand analytics. So like any storyteller I had to relate to them, so I chose gambling. If you can understand how card games are structured and have ever played a card game you can learn the basics of analytics.

1. Analytics & Gambling How Similar They Really Are Analytics made so simple my Grandmother knows what I do now

4. Viva Las Vegas Baby!

6. So, before you think I grew up a degenerate gambler (or a lush)… what do cards have to do with Analytics? Everything! Let me show you.

8. Similarities of card games (gambling) & analytics Card Games Attribute Analytics Real time Timing Real time, near real-time, just-in-time, delayed Cards (colors, symbols, values) Data Numbers, %’s, KPIs, metrics, etc Multiple decks, high-level counting strategies, side decks, lights, noise, etc. Data overload Too many data sources, no clear business or monetization model, etc Running count, true count, knowing what cards have already been played Prior Data Reporting Improving your hand with more or less cards Filtering Segmentation Straight flush, full house, 3 of a kind, etc. Patterns Pattern recognition / analysis Read, understand, comprehend, and decide what actions to take to improve your goal of winning Decision Making Data analysis Card counting, side decks, etc. Predictive Modeling Forecasting / prediction Betting strategies, player strategies, etc. Strategy (Performance) optimization