The Theory of Poker

by David Sklansky

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Reviewer:  kegTAP14

The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky is an overview of many different topics that are poker specific rather than game (aka holdem) specific. The book touches on topics everywhere from the ‘Object of Poker’ to ‘Bluffing’ and towards the end there is a discussion on topics like analyzing a game and evaluating a table before and after you sit down to play.

One of the nicest parts of this book is Sklansky’s chapters on pot odds, effective odds, and implied and reverse implied odds. These discussions are done as well as any other I’ve seen and seems to bring some clarity to the different kinds of odds and how they effect play. Odds is a concept that I feel is badly misunderstood by a lot of players and this book does a good job clarifying the difference between regular pot odds and implied pot odds, and when to apply each. Another section I felt was not only very well written but extremely helpful was the section on the ‘Free Card’. Knowing when and when not to give a free card is a very important topic, and maybe the thing this book helped me improve upon the most. The other part of this section is getting a free card, which if done right gives you a huge expected value on some of you flush and open ended draws my making it so cheap to draw for them.

Now a word of warning about the book, its written by David Sklansky. Although he is one of the leading authorities on poker theory and overall game play he is an extremely dry author. This book, like many of his others can be hard to read and a big sluggish at times. I also found with this book is that the first 5 chapters are elementary to someone who would be able to digest the rest of the information covered. I also didn’t like the chapter on reading hands, as it was very little help, especially after reading Caro’s book on poker tells.

Overall, assuming of course you can stand to read a book by Sklansky, I strongly recommend this book. I have yet to hear a negative review of this book by any of my poker playing friends and have even heard a few pro’s mention it as an outstanding resource. I know that this book has helped me improve my game, although I have been over it some of the topics several times.
 

Reviewer:  kkooi3

Nobody should be allowed to sit down to any game of poker, neighborhood, online or casino, without having first read this book. The Theory of Poker, by David Sklansky, provides the most comprehensive and in-depth analysis of every aspect of poker. What makes this book stand out even more from other poker books is the marvelous way in which Sklansky makes even the most technical and complex ideas accessible to a complete novice player. Even though his examples are extremely clear, the examples lose none of their importance. Thus, even players who have been around the game for years have much to learn by reading this book.

This book also gives people the knowledge necessary to fully digest most other poker books on the market. More and more, poker books are becoming so specialized that little time is spent exploring and explaining the more general concepts such as implied odds, reverse implied odds, the value of a free card, the value of position, betting on the river and more. This book not only explains these concepts, but fully evaluates how to use them in different situations.

Sklansky bases much of his analysis on what he refers to as the Fundamental Theorem of Poker, which states roughly (I'm paraphrasing here) "Every time you play your hand the same you would as if you knew your opponents' cards, you win, every time you don't, you lose. Conversely, every time your opponent plays their hand the same as if they saw your cards you lose, every time they don't, you win." While seemingly obvious, Sklansky extends this theorem to help explain everything from semi-bluffing, to game theory, to the value of deception.

Sklansky also reserves two chapters of his book for subjects not often mentioned in other poker literature: game selection and reading hands. The first subject is something everybody intuitively knows but most fail to give it the weight it deserves. Obviously a table full of complete amateurs is preferable to a table of seasoned pros, but there are many other things to consider when deciding to play in a certain game. What is the structure (antes, blinds, betting etc.) Does it suit your style of play? What is the overall style of the game? Loose-passive? Tight-aggressive? Sklansky also provides a very specific guide on strategies on reading other peoples hands (put them on a general range of hands and limit it as you get more information, how to use percentages when you can put someone on a certain group of hands but not a particular one, etc.)

It is important to note, if it hasn't been made clear already, that this is NOT a specific how-to book on playing a certain type of poker. While Sklansky does use specific examples from every type of poker, from draw, to stud hi-lo, to hold-em, these examples are meant to serve as a means to communicate theoretical issues. Additionally, many of the examples in the book intentionally oversimplify situations in order to make a point (simplifications like "assume that you know for a fact that your opponent would only make this play with 3 of a kind or better). That being said, the subjects he covers are an absolute must in learning how to play the game well.
 

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