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: Good read but tough..
Summary: 4 Stars
The Theory of Poker has helped my game. Although some aspects of the book were hard grasp, all it took was the will to succeed. Fantastic for the intermediate/looking to advance player.Book Review: Good read if you haven't already read it.
Summary: 3 Stars
This book has some good information in it for all levels of poker players. However, if you have already bought Sklansky's two books on Hold 'Em, then you already have the information that's in this book. However, I prefer having the information as presented in the hold 'em books because the examples are are Texas hold 'em examples whereas for this book the information has been generalized to all poker games in general. Personally, I would buy the two hold 'em books and not buy this book--there's nothing I would have missed out on (and these poker books aren't cheap).Book Review: Good theory book, at least for fixed limit games.
Summary: 4 Stars
The Theory of Poker is very good in theory. The "fundametal theorem of poker" is a very good one. But the book was first published several decades ago and it shows. Personally I don't mind examples from fixed limit 7 card stud because it's one of the games I play, but the book is clearly written from the point of view of fixed limit games and not all of the advice in the book would apply to no limit games, which are more popular today than when the book was written.
The theory of the book is based on mathematical expectations of certain plays. And some of the examples are very hypothetical. I'm not very good with math and found parts of the book somewhat complicated. I'm sure mathematically-minded readers will find it more accessible.
So, while the book feels a bit dated, it's still a good book and I recommend it for poker players who play more than one game and players who mainly play fixed limit, but if you are only interested in no limit hold'em (or pot limit omaha, which is not mentioned at all in this book) this should not be your only, and perhaps not even your first, poker book.
Book Review: Good, but.....Hmmm.
Summary: 4 Stars
Sklansky is a scientist, not a teacher. He is an engineer, not a mechanic. This is a reference book, not a "how-to" instructional book. This is "Advanced Discourses on Structural Engineering Theory", not "How to Build a Deck", etc.......you get the point. If you keep this in mind, you will appreciate this book as much as any poker book you have, however, if you think you can read it and instantly improve your poker game, I think you will be disappointed. First of all, because you won't be able to read it. This is not a novel and cannot be read like one. Even if you could read it and improve your poker, I think there are easier and much more effective ways to do that. Personally, I think Bob Ciaffone is by far better poker teacher, and I think that if you want to improve your poker game quickly and practically, instead of increasing your theoretical knowledge, he (Ciaffone) is who you need to see. But if you want a reference book you can refer to when you want to study a particular aspect of the game, then The Theory of Poker is your book. I have read a few other reviews that said they read it and improved their game instantly, but I don't think that will be the case with most readers. I don't dispute any of the information in the book, but honestly, how many of us, even the most advanced and experienced players, have the Fundamental Theorem of Poker going through our minds when we are at the poker table? The theorem is true, and it is good to understand it, but how does it help you at the table? You should be much more interested in sizing up the situation and making the correct play in that situation, and maintaining the discipline and patience to play winning poker.
The problem I have with many reference books on any subject is that though they contain a vast amount of information, facts and theory on the particular subject, they are of very little practical benefit, they contain very little APPLICATION! Poker is 10% theory, 90% application (if not more). The Theory of Poker will give you information, and lots of it, but it doesn't teach you a whole lot about how to THINK on your feet. How to analyze a situation, what to look for, what principles apply in this situation, and so on. It provides a little of this, but not nearly as much as the Ciaffone books.
Finally, I can't put my finger on it, but Sklansky's writing style is in itself a little difficult to follow. It is rather boring to put it bluntly, but he also seems to complicate issues just by the way he addresses and explains the topic at hand. This is a very difficult and technical book, but he doesn't help matters any with his writing style.
Do I recommend this book? Despite my previous comments, to experienced players, an overwhelming YES! To others, I recommend it with the reminder that this is a reference book and not a "how-to" book. Bob Ciaffone's "Improve Your Poker" and his other books hit the nail on the head and are of much more practical value to the eager poker student.
Book Review: Granddaddy
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the grand daddy of all poker books. if you only get one book, this should be it. teaches you to think for yourself in poker situations