The Theory of Poker: A Professional Poker Player Teaches You How To Think Like One by David Sklansky Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of The Theory of Poker: A Professional Poker Player Teaches You How To Think Like One
Book Review: Won't change your game overnight, but a must read
Summary: 5 Stars
As many have noted, the general idea of what Sklansky tells you isn't revolutionary. It's downright simple. Basically, if you could know exactly what's in someone's hand, there would be a correct play that would be better than all others, and give you the best chance of winning. Each time you play a hand differently than this you are giving your opponent an advantage. And each time you play it correctly, you are giving yourself a better chance of winning.
Of course you can't actually see the cards in your opponent's hand. But starting with this as the goal, you begin to realize what kinds of questions you should be asking each time your enter a hand and what kind of information you want to find out in order to give yourself the best chance of winning.
A lot of the specific information in this book has been disseminated through a variety of sources and you may find yourself reading something that you think you already know or think somebody else said. Well guess what? It started here. But like any information the further you get from the primary source, the more likely it is to have been corrupted by someone's misinterpretation or attempt at improving upon the original idea. It's really one of the best texts for the fundamental theory of poker and to help ground your decision making.
No you may not use this like you would Doyle's Supersystem to change your game immediately, but it's the kind of important information that your game would be hollow without.
Book Review: X-Ray the Game.
Summary: 5 Stars
As you read The Theory of Poker (TOP), one may initially be tempted into thinking that the book is somewhat dated as it makes no acknowledgement of the transcendence of Hold `Em in the poker world. Certainly this is a result of its being written in the 1970s, but the fact that games like stud, razz, and draw are used for the basis of its examples and illustrations is, in fact, not a detriment. Learning the mechanics of a new game is a pleasant, and unexpected, side benefit to reading The Theory of Poker. Some of the concepts will stay with you long after you're finished with these pages, and, perhaps, add to your proficiency should you ever attempt to master new pokers in the future.
Well, all of this is fine and good, but the real question is, what exactly is this book? It elucidates the large concepts which embody the game. I'd call it Big Ball as opposed to small ball. At first glance, it strikes one as neither fish nor fowl because it does not take the reader "into the weeds" as Small Stakes Hold `Em or Hold `Em for Advanced Players does, yet it still is unquestionably all about poker. What we have here is a discussion of poker at the global level. It brims with analysis of the theories and hidden meanings that embody the game. TOP is the story of poker from above, below, and within the cards you draw, are dealt, or view arrayed upon the table. It is not a substitute for the more technical works, but it definitely is a vehicle for enhancing their meaning. Basic, yet essential, concepts are thoroughly explored such as bluffing, giving out free cards, checkraising, and the intricacies of betting on the river.
The Fundamental Theory of Poker is integral to one's every action, and it postulates that, when a player plays in the same manner he would if he could see his opponent's cards, he is approaching the game correctly. At each level of deviating from the way he would play if he could see his opponent's cards, he makes more and more mistakes. Avoiding mistakes and exploiting those of your opponent is exactly what poker is all about.
I guess before investing your money, you undoubtedly would like to know, will this make me a better player? I can answer such queries with an emphatic: Absolutely! This is truly a work which sticks to your ribs, and you'll chaw on it like a cow does grass. Dan Harrington cited it several times within his two 2005 poker masterpieces, and Howard Lederer mentioned TOP in an interview I saw after being asked what books furthered his development.
Book Review: as advertised
Summary: 5 Stars
everything was great with my purchase... the book was in good condition as advertised, and it was shipped in timely fashion. recommended sellerBook Review: excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I prefer later titles by this author but the valuable information in here should not be bypassed. Contained in ALL their titles: The best advice backed up with easy to understand examples. Contains the least amount of dubious advice of any poker text. Skylansky and Malmouth will effect a huge difference in your poker fortunes. No matter how good a player you are you are a "clueless newbie" until you have mastered the knowledge offered by David and Mason. Once caveat: Keep in mind that in general their advice is directed towards your playing in a game with tight aggressive skilled players. These authors no longer play in low limit games and to some extent have lost touch with the type of player the low limit playing reader faces.You should add another title to your shopping basket here to read that addresses games with loose bad players in it so as to obtain a proper strategic approach to all situations. A good poker book teaches you how to think about situations more so than what to do in specific situationAny text by the team of skylansky malmouth is worth it's weight in gold. Look for a revision of some of their classic texts, subtitled- "year 2000 or 20c. update"Book Review: great
Summary: 5 Stars
This book teaches you how to think like a poker player. The theory of poker is a great resource for anyone wanting to play serious poker.