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The Theory of Poker
By David Sklansky
Community Rating: 4.6

The Theory of Poker, is considered to be a quintessential poker primer. It discusses theories and concepts applicable to nearly every variation of the game, including five-card draw (high), seven-card stud, hold ’em, lowball draw, and razz (seven-card lowball stud). This book introduces you to the Fundamental Theorem of Poker, its implications, and how it should affect your play. Other chapters discuss the value of deception, bluffing, raising, the slow-play, the value of position, psychology, heads-up play, game theory, implied odds, the free card, and semibluffing.
Many of today’s top poker players will tell you that this is the book that really made a difference in their play. That is, these are the ideas that separate the experts from the typical players.

David Sklansky is a professional poker player and author. Sklansky is generally considered a top authority on gambling. He has written many books on poker, blackjack, and general gambling.

Sklansky has won three World Series of Poker bracelets, two in 1982 ($800 Mixed Doubles, and $1000 Draw Hi) and one in 1983 ($1000 Limit Omaha Hi). He also won the Poker By The Book invitational event on the 2004 World Poker Tour, outlasting Phil Hellmuth Jr, Mike Caro, T. J. Cloutier, and Mike Sexton, and then finally overcoming Doyle Brunson.

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Summary Review

This book lives up to its reputation. The Theory of Poker touches on all of the topics such as odds, game theory, psychology, and shows how they apply to the fundamental theorem. This is an important book, one that should be read by anyone hoping to improve his game. But that's not to say The Theory of Poker has no problem. Much of the material in The Theory of Poker is dense. Nevertheless, it is a great reference book for all levels of players.
Reviews:
Mar 25, 2008 T.R. A friend of mine says reading Sklansky 'makes (his) head explode.' I wouldn't go that far, but I hear what's he's saying: Sklansky takes basic poker concepts and mathematicizes them. If you have trouble with that, you're not going to like reading him. But if you can follow along (you can even skim the 'math' if you want) you will find that he has outlined some very fundamental precepts of winning poker strategies. This is not a strategy book, per se: it doesn't discuss starting hands and so forth. Also it does not focus on any particular type of poker, such as the ultra-popular no-limit hold 'em, as seen on TV. Rather, it explains basic poker concepts (such as bluffing, semi-bluffs, position, check-raising) and explains how to most effectively integrate them into your game. This book is an invaluable tool for the intermediate and advanced player, but beginners probably should absorb some basic strategy books (and some invaluable playing experience) before trying to digest The Theory of Poker. Read this: your opponent has.