The Theory of Poker

• #5 in Best Poker Books

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"Every time you play a hand differently than you would have played it if you could see all your opponents' cards, they gain; every time you play a hand the same as you would have if you could see all their cards, they lose." [This is an excerpt from what Sklansky humbly termed the fundamental theorem of poker.]

Statements like these will probably leave the average player, new to reading about his or her game, somewhat puzzled, but this is the main value of this book. It gives you a set of terms to describe conditions and actions in a poker game, and then tries to make you think about what you do and why. In the beginning, Sklansky says that this book does not try to answer, "What do you do in this particular situation?," but "What do you consider in this particular situation before determining what to do?"

It uses examples from every form of poker found in a casino, but it does not deal with any one form in particular. For this, a few good choices include the 'Advanced Players' series from Two Plus Two Publishing, and 'Super/System' by 1976-1977 World Series of Poker Champion Doyle Brunson and his collaborators. Sklansky's object is to show that winning poker comes down to correct determination of your odds given cards seen and unseen, the size of the pot in play and the effect of less tangible, psychological factors on the odds set by the first two elements.

It's not the easiest reading, but the language therein will be used by most serious players of the game in discussions away from the table. Get 'Poker for Dummies' by Lou Krieger and Richard Harroch first, as well as a basic text for your favorite game, like 'Winning Low-Limit Hold'Em' by Lee Jones. After a few months of play, open this book to reevaluate your game and what you thought you understood about poker.

Invariably at or near the top of any list of serious titles on poker, this book is the leading work on poker theory. Since virtually every dedicated player has read it, to play without reading it is to put yourself at a disadvantage. Sklansky focuses on the math of poker--how to calculate odds, pot odds, reverse implied pot odds, etc. It's not a fun read; it reminded me of some of the college textbooks I dreaded, but it rewards hard work with a new depth of insight that will make you a smarter, more insightful player. It deserves five stars but I gave it four because it can be so dreary. No colorful stories of how so-and-so went all in with a pair of fours only to [take out a set on the River, etc. Sklansky is so professorial in tone it's hard to imagine him at smoky poker table betting the farm. And in truth, he's more noted as a theoretician than a player. But if you want to play poker for serious stakes, this book is required reading.

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"

Sklansky's The Theory of Poker has generally been reguarded as a classic since its initial release. Along with Doyle Brunson's Super System and Mike Caro's Book of Poker Tells these three book were the the 1-2-3 knockout combo of poker books. Super System covered many main types of poker specifically, Caro's Book of Tells covered much of the psychology of poker, but Sklansky's Theory of Poker was quite different.

Instead of focusing on one aspect of poker, Sklansky decided to focus on the "big picture". Odds, psychology, information, using these things in combination to make the correct decisions is what poker is all about. And with The Theory of Poker Sklansky wrote a book that attempted to teach you how to do just that. Simply stated, if you make more correct decisions than your opponent, and make less wrong decisions, then in the long wrong, you will win. Luck is the thing that keeps beginners and gamblers coming back to try and "hit it big". And it's what keeps those in the know in the money.

That said, this book is not the easiest read for the uninformed. I admit that I was one of those caught up in Poker big boom a few years ago but I have truly fell in love with it since then and have become a true student of the game. I have gone from dead money to a profitable player - and alot of that thanks goes to many of the books I have read by many great authors. In an attempt to categorize them to help beginners like myself choose what's right for them (in order):

Beginners:
Phil Gordon's The Real Deal - A very easy read to get beginners thinking about the game.

Sklansky's Hold'Em Poker - Not much more complicated than Phil's book and offers more good ideas for the novice for getting started.

Caro's Book of Poker Tells - Pretty straight-forward. Even most beginners should be able to grasp the concept of the tells and the psychological aspects of poker. Just beware of others who've read this book.

Intermediate:
Sklansky's The Theory of Poker - Certainly a must have. Will definitely get you thinking critically about the game.

Doyle Brunson's Super System - A classic, but you won't be able to dominate the tables like Doyle used to. And considering all the poker types it covers it's an invaluable book.

Harrington on Hold'Em vol. 1 and 2 - Even though this applies to mostly tournament play, much of this advice can be used in cash games. But if you play many tournaments (like I do) these are invaluable books and I would even put them ahead of Super System.

Phil Gordon's Little Green Book - A great suppliment to The Real Deal. Offers some great ideas and concepts and a pathway into the mind of one of the better Hold'Em players in the world.

Advanced:
Sklansky's Hold'Em for Advanced Players - Simply the best book on Hold'Em written but a pain in the brain to read if you're not in the know. Definitely work your way up to it.

Poker Essays vol. 1-3 by Mason Malmuth - Much like The Little Green Book these offer some great ideas but is more advanced. I still highly recommend them.

There are no doubt many other great books out there I haven't read. But the fact that these books have helped (and I say helped, because it requires much more than just reading books) turn me from dead money to a profitable player is good enough for me to recommend them. I recommend buying them in the order listed if you're new to Poker or reading them in that order if you've already bought several.

***UPDATE***
It's been more than a year since I wrote this review, and since then there's been a wealth of new poker literature out there.

Among them, Sklansky's No Limit Limit Hold'em: Theory and Practice is the most invaluable. It is akin to this wonderful book, but focuses on No Limit specifically. It belongs in the "super-advanced" section, but it has been the book that has raised my game to the next level.

Also in that advanced category, "The Mathematics of Poker" delves into the complicated math behind the game, and while it is not exactly a practical book, it may introduce the math inclined to an insightful look behind the math that rules the game.

Joe Navarro's "Read em' and Reap" is now the definitive book on poker tells. It was written by a career FBI agent who specializes in reading people. It not only gives you the tells, but goes into the deepest psychologies of what makes people reveal these tells.

Both Phil Gordon's Little Blue Book and Harrington vol. 3 tournament book are invaluable additions to each's library. Harrington vol. 3 especially for its breakdown of famous hands, and the thinking behind them. Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker is another superb Limit book, and has become perhaps my biggest aid when playing Limit. Doyle's Super System 2 is a valuable addition to vol. 1 if you wish to read up on various other games besides Hold'em.

I wish the best of luck to everyone at the tables - there's still enough fish to go around!

Sorry Brunson and Caro, I'm gonna save people some money and summarize your books right here.

BRUNSON: Play aggressively and make the other players react to what you're doing. Lead the betting or get out.

CARO: If an opponent projects strength, he's probably got a weak hand. If he feigns weakness, watch out. Loud, flashy dudes take more risks than quiet accountant types.

Now, use the aforementioned knowledge with the mathematical theory Sklansky spells out and you've got as good a chance of being lucky as everyone else at the table. The "math" here basically consists of doing a quick calculation of the strength of your hole cards in conjunction with what's on the table and what's likely to come up. For example, If you have two suited (let's say diamonds) cards, one being an ace, in your hand and two diamonds on the board at 4th street (I'm talking Hold 'em, here), you have an approximate 25% chance that fifth street will be a diamond, to give you a virtual lock on the hand. Knowing this (25% chance of ending with best hand) one can determine an appropriate amount to bet/call. If the pot will end up being $100, it is appropriate to risk up to 25% of that ($25) in hopes of hitting the flush. If someone else's bet, however, requires you to match more than 25%, it's not worth the call. It's basic high school math applied to wagering in poker.

CASE AND POINT: Last year, there was a Poker Book Legends tournament broadcast on TV. Sklansky, Brunson, Doyle and other note-worthies were at the table. And they each played according to the style dictated by their respective books. Brunson played aggressively. Caro constantly goaded his opponents in an attempt to get some sort of readable reaction.... and Sklansky just sat there quietly, waiting for high percentage hole cards, seemingly ignoring everyone elses actions. Pure math. Sklansky walked away with everyone's money.

I graduated Michigan as an English major and am currently in law school - I'm no idiot, especially when it comes to reading and processing information. I'm also an avid gambler and dedicated poker player, and when I saw this book's technical and "enlightened" method of play, I was truly excited to internalize its wisdom and wreak havok on all those who would dare oppose me. However - and I mean, a big however - this book is fairly close to unreadable. When I mean unreadable, I mean not that it can't be read and understood, but rather that it can't be "read" like any book you may pick up. It has to be parsed into the small lessons it offers, and it makes one of my favorite passions - poker - simply boring. Oh, and if you aren't very adept at math, like myself - forget this title. It preassumes a master's degree in diffuse algorithms. However, if you're into mathematical pageantry, this book is for you.

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.

If everybody who plays poker were to buy and study this book, I would have a hard time making money at the poker table. I want you fish to remain ignorant of pot odds, effective odds, implied odds, correct bluffing frequency, semi-bluffing, reading cards, and the other topics covered in this book. How am I going to earn money if you know the same things about poker that I do, thanks to Sklansky?

So, skip this book and just plunk yourself down at my table. Oh...and bring lots of cash.

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).

Anyone that has played poker for any length of time has most likely read Sklansky's Theory of Poker. At the very least they have heard of the concepts covered in the book. It is a poker classic along side Super Systems and Caro's Book of Tells. It is a must read if you are serious about poker.
Be warned that this is not an "Introductory How to play" book. The book is written under the premise that you already have a good understanding of the game. If you are looking for a book that will help you beat the low limit games then take a look at Ken Warren's books, or Lee Jones Low Limit Hold'em book. They will give you a great base to start your learning. Then once you have read a few of these type of books sink your teeth into the Theory of Poker.
If you have been playing for a while, have read other texts on more basic poker strategy, and are not intimidated by math then this book is for you.

If you thought you knew before how to approach the game of poker, this book will completely change your mind. Sklansky paints a very businesslike portrait of what it takes to be a consistent winner at real stakes poker. From understanding raising, to caculating your odds for actually betting your hand, this book can give any weekend player a boost to the next level. The best part is that this book is not a one time read. To fully benefit, one must continue to study the tools provided within in order to eventually master the basic mathmatics that will make the average player become a powerful player. Already I am reaping the benefits, and I feel as if I am just starting to learn. The "Theory of Poker" is an excellent text for learning an age old game you thought you already knew.

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I recently bought two books about poker from Amazon.com and this book is so vastly superior in content that I cannot reasonably compare the two books. Yes, it's a little dry, but so what. The excitement comes when you bring David's logic and strategies to the poker table and SEE THEM WORK. For all intents and purposes, I'm a novice player. But reading David's book has given me such an advantage at the table that sometimes I feel as though I'm cheating.

If you're looking for a book that's easy to read and comprehend, buy Andy Nelson's "Poker: 101 Ways to Win." If you want to study and learn and really elevate your game, then buy "The Theory of Poker," and tap into David's encyclopedic knowledge of the game. This book will not let you down. Is it little tough to read? Yes, in some parts, it is. Is it worth the effort? Absolutely.

This reads like a textbook and should be read by any serious student of the game. I'm sure it will be a useful reference for the rest of my poker playing life. Some may find it difficult reading as the style is fairly typical of a textbook or a reference book, and it is a comprehensive and serious book about the probability and expected outcome of the game. The reading isn't recreational, but is a good investment of time with the returns being that you will be a much more astute poker player.

I haven't read this book in over a decade. However, from what I remember, it taught me a great deal about poker. Like why you can't wait for the perfect hand to stay in the game (because of the ante). Why you need to bet when you have the best hand (to lower the odds your opponents are getting to chase you). The semi-bluff (a bluff with a hand that just might actually win in a showdown. You have two ways to win, bluffing your opponents or maybe winning even if they call). This book should be required reading for any serious poker player.

No other book is as well organized, as thorough, or as accurate for new poker players. I started knowing nothing, but after reading this book, I win on a regular basis. If you want to be a good player, accept no substitutes.

I have read this book so many times that I could probably recite it word for word. Sklansky has written a must-have classic for the poker world. This book is all solid theory. The examples cover Hold 'Em, 7-Stud, Razz and everything in between. of all the poker books I have studied, none have made an impact on my game like Theory of Poker. BUY THIS BOOK!

For the ordinary layman, and perhaps even for a poker player that has quite some experience, this book by sklansky can be quite complex. Now what I mean by "complex" is that Theory of Poker is a book which has its foundations based on mathematics. He explains much of his principles using various math that concerns odds and probability, but even for some people, the problem is that they will NOT get the point of all that math done.

This book could have gotten 5-stars had Sklansky broke down his math into a writing style that would EXPLAIN to the reader what all the math means for the player. He does so at the end of each chapter in summary form, but it is so brief that anyone could just read the end of each chapter and get the point. If you read this book and do no understand the concepts behind the mathematics, then you are for a loss because then you are not going to be able to translate the knowledge of the book into your play. Then it would have all been a waste of time. The only way a book is going to help you is if you can comprehend its concepts and apply that information to your play.

To fully understand the mathematics behind pot odds, implied odds, effective odds, and the like, you must read this book more than once. Otherwise, for beginners, it is best to start with something more simple.

If you are new to poker and have ever been asked "How old are you?" when playing in a casino or poker room you might not get full value from this great book. The majority of players coming into poker have never played "Razz" (7 card stud for low) and some of the other games used for primary examples. The games Sklansky uses for examples are not well understood by the newer players and these examples will probably be confusing for many. This is not to say there is anything wrong with the book; it is just that in a "Holdem" based poker world finding the proper relationship to teach holdem using non holdem games can be a stretch for players who have not spent a lot of time with the other games. So many of the games used for examples in the book are not played much outside dealer's choice home games and so may be difficult for newer players to use as models for larger gambling concepts.

Nearly every top player says this is the most important poker book ever written. While I mostly agree, an updated version using more current examples might better suit the new batch of players wanting to learn higher level poker thinking. It still rates a five, despite my arguments, because it contains the very important poker ideas needed to become a good player.

Poker isn't science, and Sklansky's Theory of Poker isn't a graduate text in astrophysics. Poker also isn't art, and if you leave Theory of Poker conspicuously on your coffee table, few of your friends will feel it adds to the room's ambience. Poker is a game, however, and an important part of any game is conceptualization. Theory of Poker presents the most important conceptualization of poker for any serious, winning player. It's not a how-to book, and it isn't filled with entertaining stories about poker's colorful characters. But reading this book is like having a long, detailed conversation with a friend who has thought things through. You might want to argue a fine point here or there, or extend the discussion a bit. There are places where some more detailed analysis might be helpful. But for the most part, your reaction is liable to be along the lines of, "You know, that's a really good way of thinking about it."

Theory of Poker isn't a how-to book. But it can reasonably be claimed that the best strategy advice follows from the kind of analysis Sklansky presents, in many cases directly from Sklansky's. Don't make it your first book on poker. But if you plan to take poker seriously, and you don't want to reinvent the wheel, it's the single book that will save you the most wheel reinvention time.

This book does a fantastic job of presenting the most important weapons available to a poker player, as well as putting each in the perspective of many different situations in which the tool is either over-applied or under-appreciated.

There is much that you can learn by reading this book, but you must want to do so. Everything in the book is present from the perspective of "mathematical expectation;" the most fundamentally correct and fundamentally BORING method of presentation.

I consider this book to be like a textbook - it is not the easiest read, but if you want to succeed in poker you need to understand the ideas presented. There are a seemingly uncountable number of expectation calculations. If you understand them, they provide you with undeniable evidence that this is the correct way to play. Whether or not you understand them, it makes for a dry, text-like read.

If you want to be a successful poker player, you really should suffer through this book. I recommend doing so a bit at a time, playing perhaps online in between while trying to apply the information you've gained.

Hands down the most important book ever written on poker strategy. This book outlines the basic ideas behind of many of the sophisticated discussions that occur between professional players. This is one of the books on the *required reading* list for the San Diego Poker Discussion Group. Bluffing, Semi-bluffing, raising, loose and tight play, slowplaying, it's all covered in this book, as well as many more important concepts essential to winning play. If you really want to play winning poker, you simply must read this book, period.

Anyone reading this review needs to realize that there is absolutely no substitute for reading "The Theory of Poker." The substance of this text is exactly what one might expect from the title: this book is a tour de force on the abstract theory behind the game. As author David Sklansky rightly points out in the introduction, this book is not a playbook of fancy "moves" that can be made in various situations; rather, it is a text on the philosophy behind the game and how one should go about weighing actions in any given situation. This book teaches not what plays to make, but how to THINK about what plays you should make. You cannot get this information from any other source! Every other book that deals with these subjects is thoroughly derivative: they all owe their inspiration to "The Theory of Poker."

Be prepared though: Sklansky is not light reading. He always apologizes for not being a professional author in his books, but actually I don't think there's any need for Sklansky to apologize for "The Theory of Poker." This is clearly the best-written, most logically organized text that Sklansky has ever produced, and I don't know how these ideas could be presented more simply. But even still, the material in this text is abstract and quite dense; you cannot read through the book once or twice and expect to absorb his theory. In fact, what I have done (and recommend you do, as well), is to outline the key points he makes in the text and repeatedly study that. I personally condensed this book into a 13 page outline that I go back over occasionally in the context of various hands I have played, judging how well (or poorly) I did in comparison to the various benchmarks Sklansky sets for thinking about a hand. It's that type of rigorous, methodical application that this book demands to achieve its full value; do this and I believe you will achieve greater success.

Pick up "The Theory of Poker"! This is still the definitive text in its field; everything else is but commentary on these fundamental ideas.

If I would make a list of top needed books for a Hold'em pro, this one surely goes into the first three. It is the one to get started with. Add Slansky's 'Hold'em Poker For Advanced Players' and Barboianu's 'Texas Hold'em Odds' for full coverage on odds and math and you will have all you need to know for winning. The rest is practice and patience.

In this groundbreaking book, Sklansky introduces the reader to advanced poker concepts such as semi-bluffing, game theory, reading hands, and so on. Sklansky gives advice on these and many more topics in his typically clear and concise style. This book has to be reread and studied to fully benefit from its ideas, but rest assured it is easy to dip into and will undoubtedly improve your standard of play. My one criticism is that their is insufficient coverage of no-limit and pot-limit poker, which is the prevailing form of poker outside the USA. Other than this the book is a must buy for all serious players. Anyone hoping to play poker for profit, or just wanting to get the better of everyone at their private game, should read this book.

I have read a lot of poker books and I have acquired a good understanding of strategy in conjuction with other texts, especially from applied mathematics and gambling psychology. This book explains in depth the strategy, reading hands and even psychology in an enjoyable manner. But I think it still has no full coverage of odds calulus and interpretation and math behind the poker. I found Catalin Barboianu's "Texas Hold'em Odds" far superior on this count. I recommend it as a completion for this book.

This book tries to aim at the 'basic' players, but it really is aimed at advanced players that have some experience at the table and know about most of the concepts in the book already.
David Sklansky teaches you about pot odds, mathematical expectation, game theory, implied odds and most of the things you need to know to be a winner in the long run. But there is a downside you need to know about; this is a hard book to read (a bit easier than hold'em poker for advanced players though). The long winded explanations and examples have tons of info but they can be extremely boring, it made me feel like I was back in school studying for a maths exam.
That brings me to another point: when I lent this book to my friend, who hasn't studied any form of maths in 3 years, he just couldn't handle any of the concepts related to odds (which is partly why he sucks at poker)
I have a feeling that anyone who isn't a wiz at maths might not appreciate this book completely, because some of the examples he puts forward really require the reader to have a firm grasp on ratios and probability.
This may all sound bad to some, but really it's a great book if you can put in the time. Don't listen to all those Sklansky haters, he really does emphasise learning how to change your style of play to suit the conditions, and being able to make the right decision every time when it comes to pot odds.
It's all about the long run.

This book is for the home game player looking to take his/her poker game to the next tier. I would say that this book is definetly not for the beginner poker player, it contains no "rules of the game". But if you are already a competent player, this book will make you a force to be reckond with at the poker table if you take time to understand and apply the different aspects of the game presented therein.

This is a poker masterpiece. Sklansky simplifies difficult concepts with remarkable accuracy. This is truly the greatest poker book ever written.

This book was written 11 years ago. Think about that for a second, and what it says about how fundamentally revolutionary the concepts Sklansky presents must be, that players still consider this book among the most important ever put into print. You'll still find this book on the bookshelves of every serious poker player, and I, along with most serious amateurs I know, refer to it on a continuing basis. Other so-called "classic" books, such as Brunson's first Super System and even the first printing of both Jones' and Sklansky & Malmuth's books were outstanding in their time, but most acknowledge that they have since lost their applicability to the more aggressive modern game. Theory of Poker, however, stands as a shining exception to these other outdated books, and continues to be what I believe to be the most important book for any and every poker player. In addition, Sklansky discusses many different poker games, and not just hold'em which seems to be all the rage at the moment. Understanding how the theoretical concepts he discusses apply to different games really helps reinforce the underlying reasoning.

As written above, the most amazing aspect of the book is that it has not, in any way, become outdated as the game has continued to change. Even with the explosion of internet poker, I found myself constantly re-reading chapters, and Sklansky's discussion of things such as the "fundamental theorum of poker" are even MORE applicable in the online arena, where loose play is the norm, especially post-flop in holdem. My son recently convinced me (after much pleading) to give online play a shot, and I was stunned at how well the lessons from Theory of Poker adapted to the style of play I found...they really teach you how to extract the most from less-skilled opponents, while being able to properly fold hands that are beat. If you decide to give the online thing a shot, another review here had a good suggestion to check out pokercroaker.com which had site reviews and sign-up bonus codes for most major sites. Is Sklansky's writing style the most entertaining or gripping? Assuredly not: this is anything but a page-turner, but it's the reader who can look past his occasionally dry writing style who will truly reap the rewards of the nuggets of wisdom contained herein. In my humble opinion, a must-read for poker players of all levels.

The Theory of Poker is great general reading, but note this is not "simple" reading. If you know about game theory and expected value then this will be easier reading. If you are new to poker then I recommend reading this book after you've got some time in the trenches under your belt. Then the concepts will have much more meaning. This is a book you can re-read after years of poker playing and still gain value!

Let's get right to the point. This is the single most important book on poker ever published. The Theory of Poker does not contain a lot of information on how to play certain hands, and in those places where it does, it is only to illustrate a bigger point. The methodology taught here is to understand general situations, not specific instances that one will encounter in play, thus it truly is The Theory of Poker.

Now, don't get the idea that merely by possessing this book and holding it next to your head for a while you'll turn into a world class poker player. That is not at all the case. This book does not require reading to unlock its wisdom, it requires study, and many hours of it. Unless your are a seasoned poker veteran, you cannot expect to get very much out of it the first time through. This book requires, and warrants, several thorough readings.

Right from the preface, the reader is advised as to what will be required:

This book is about the general theories and concepts of poker play, which are operative in nearly every variation of poker... . It is not a how-to book in the sense of providing the basic rules and a step-by-step procedure for playing the various games. [...] Rules of thumb that say to fold one hand, call with another, and raise with yet another simply won't get a poker player beyond the beginning stages.

Sklansky discusses many critical concepts of poker, often for the first time anywhere. He discusses pot odds, effective odds, implied odds, and reverse implied odds. He covers the semi-bluff, defending against the semi-bluff, check-raising, and slowplaying. He covers the advanced topics of game theory, hand reading, and psychology. There is no important aspect of poker play that escapes Sklansky's attention.

Because of the depth and breadth of the subject matter he covers, Sklansky's readers will have to spend significant time to apply this information to their own games, hence the requirement for study. Despite the fact that Sklansky communicates this information in as clear a manner as I could imagine, there is still sufficient opportunity for the reader to misunderstand or misapply the principles offered here. As I've repeatedly said, even though this is a critically important book, it is by no means an easy book.

The bottom line, though, is that in my opinion it is the best book on poker ever published. This is an absolute must read for all serious players, but be prepared to spend some serious time on it.




Capsule:

In my opinion, this is the most important book on poker ever published. This is a serious work and it deserves (and requires) a great deal of study by those who wish to learn its principles. It's my opinion that the poker skills of those who do not study this book will significantly lag behind those who do. If you're a serious poker player, you cannot afford not to read this book.

If I had to choose one book out of my library of 30+ poker books, I'd choose this one: The Theory of Poker. The book's topics include a wide range of topics that cover all aspects of poker. The examples are clear and understandable, yet the theory is all encompassing and thought provoking. Of all books, this one made the greatest impact on my poker game.

This is a perfect textbook for a class on poker. Do not pick this book and expect to walk way knowing the ins and outs of your particular game. This is a book that needs to be studies and reviewed.

Position play is very important part of poker and this book takes you through the general ideas related to position and then walks through specific examples. The author does this for just about every topic that he feels is important.

If you are serious about improving your poker game, you should pick this book up and take the time to study it. Read it more then once.

Dont make this the first book you read about poker.
I did, Whoops ! There is very valuable information in this book, but it is not an easy read, especially for beginners
(unless you are familiar with Many types of poker games).
Start with Harringtons or Phil Gordons books, understand them..
then read this book...its worth the money, just not a beginners book.

Sklansky is the top poker theorist out there. It's a shame he's one of the most boring authors out there as well. Great theory, but a boring approach at relaying this info to the reader.

The Theory of Poker is the best book written on poker.
You will not find information on how to play specific hands but you will find the theory that will teach you how to think-and that is more important.
Unless your are a poker expert The book requires studying for many hours and quite a lot of readings.
The book writes about every poker theory you need (pot odds, effective odds, implied odds........).
This should be your second book not the first one
If you have poker experience and comprehend some poker books, this is the book for you.

Sklansky is the best writer on poker theory and strategy, and this is his best book, period. This is not a light read or an easy read, but its not poorly written either, its just that he examines his Fundamental Theory of Poker with a good bit of math and logic. This is a book that is meant to be highlighted and notes should be taken along with it, and re-reading it is a must.
Once the basic theory and its more specific applications of this book are internalized and come out in your play effortlessly and without conscious thought, you will see why this book is so highly regarded by the poker community, critics, and even the most skilled players in the world.
Has sections on every aspect of poker - expectation, his Fundamental Theory of Poker (amazing), odds (effective, implied, reverse, pot), deception, bluffs & semi-bluffs, raising & check-raising, loose vs. tight play, position, reading hands, and the psychology of poker. he covers in section better than entire books that focus specifically on any of them.
I can't say enough good things about this fantastic book. It will give you a better and more complete understanding of the game than any other book ever made; it will make you a better player, period.

I'm a small time No-Limit Texas Hold'em player, and this was the first book I purchased. I think now it was a mistake to go in that order because it was a difficult read. Like another reviewer said. Treat this like a Bible. If you are starting out with a $20 dollar bankroll and lot's of ambition don't be stupid. BUY THIS BOOK, I would suggest you purchase "Small Stakes Hold'em: Winning Big With Expert Play" by Ed Miller first. I just bought that a few weeks ago and it told me a bunch of stuff that helped my game.

-Small Stakes Hold'em: Winning Big With Expert Play
-The Theory Of Poker

Both excellent books for anyone interested in a life of poker.

NOTE: THEORY OF POKER DOESN'T FOCUS ON TEXAS HOLD'EM, IT TAKES ABOUT ALL SORTS OF GAMES!

If you plan on playing poker for a living or just enjoy an occasional game in the casino or online, you must purchase this book. The other reviewers are right, it's not a book that will tell you what to do, it tells you what to consider in each situation. Especially important are the sections on bluffing, value betting, pot odds and the fundamental theorem of poker. Sklansky is very mathematical, but he also shows what he is doing with each example, so basic math knowledge should suffice. I cannot recommend this book highly enough

Any person who needs to know "when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em" must pick up this book. Mr. Sklansky teaches you what the good players know. Ever wonder if you were wrong in folding that four flush? With the help of Mr. Sklansky you will understand.

Sklansky's Theory of Poker is no longer the newest book on advanced poker thought, but it remains required reading for both the average and the more experienced player. While some of the specific hand-analysis and tactical advice has been updated or superceded by more recent and also excellent books by the likes of Harrington or Gordon, the basic concepts do not change, and Sklansky is an insightful analyst, as well as an excellent teacher. The attentive reader will find his time and thought well rewarded.

According to Sklansky's Theory of Poker, the game is one of mistakes - the point is to induce mistakes in your opponents' play while avoiding mistakes in play yourself. The basic nature of poker, in any of its forms, implies that you have imperfect and limited knowledge of the value of the hands your opponents hold, and they have limited knowledge of yours; it is because of this limited knowledge that mistakes can take place.

Mistakes and errors are simple to define. If you had perfect knowledge of all hands, you would play your own hand in a certain, mathematically correct way. To the extent you play your hand differently, due to lack of knowledge or deception or whatever, you have made a mistake. Sklansky teaches various ways of inducing those mistakes in others, and also how to correctly analyze your own hand and options for play.

Sklansky draws on multiple forms of poker for examples; not just Hold 'Em, but also 7 Stud, 5-card Draw, Razz, etc. For the player only familiar with Hold Em this may be a little confusing at first. The book is meant as a theoretical examination of principles built into all poker games, and is not really a how-to-play for Hold Em or any other form of poker.

Sklansky's writing is dense in the sense that he does not beat around the bush or waste time or fill his book with fluff. The book is not light reading, and probably should not be your first book if you are not thoroughly familiar with the play as well as the language and jargon of the game. It cannot be skimmed. But there isn't a player out there who would not benefit from a careful reading, and would not benefit more from re-reading again six months later, this book.

Theory of poker wi an excellent resource. I read it as my first poker book and it was thouroughly confusing. I read another dozen or so books and then went back to read it again and it was like magic. It all made sense and helped me bring all that information together

If you play any type of poker at all, just get this book. Doesn't matter if you play Hold'em, Razz, Omaha, whatever... it applies to all poker games.

I'd read this after a few of the other classics, and it just really gave my understanding of the game a lot more depth. Looking back, I was really kind of small-minded about the game...

I see the big picture much more clearly now, and that's the strong point of the book. While there are other books that give great specific-game strategy, this one is on a huge level.

So I did my part, wrote a review on it, tried to convince you that this book is absolutely essential... now you gotta spend the $20.

I know a lot of you are new players (else you would know about this book already), and are probably into the No-Limit Hold'Em craze. So, here's a little of must-have books if you're serious about playing, and they're specifically tailored to No Limit:

-Dan Harrington's 2 (soon to be 3) No-Limit tournament books.

-Doyle Brunson's No-Limit chapter from Super System 1 or 2 (is pretty much the same in each).

-This book right here.

-Phil Gordon's Little Green Book (a sequel is coming also).

So that's like $100 worth of books. Kind of a small investment isn't it? If you don't know basic poker strategy, you're going to get eaten up, even if you get a couple big wins early on by sheer luck... but that won't last.

This is the best book on how to think about poker, and how to play poker, generally speaking. If you plan on seriously approaching more than one game of poker, there is no excuse for not reading this book several times, no matter how good you think your memory is.

I hate to say it, but if you plan on playing only one game of poker (with the exception of no limit holdem), than you really don't need this book. There are plenty of books out there that cover whichever game you are trying to learn, and the Sklansky or 2+2 books usually do a good job at covering the parts of this book that apply to that particular game.

If you are mainly playing no limit holdem, then this might be the best book for you to get, but you still will need lots of experience to understand what the book is talking about. That particular game doesn't really need hand requirements, and doesn't really need absolute rules limited to that game, other than that game's actual rules. What that game needs is a complete knowledge and understanding of how to think through a hand, on every street, which is what this book is about, but it's lessons are as advanced as a graduate school course. For no limit holdem, this is required reading, but most people will need another book or two to accompany it to help make some sense out of it without risking going broke too many times.

This book is must reading, but it seriously takes a studious approach to this book for it to really help that much. I mean like a semester of reading it and writing papers on it just so you know you understand it. Do it for your senior seminar class or your english class. If you don't take this book that seriously, it could seriously cost you more money than you ever expected. Don't buy it if you only will read it once or twice. Be warned.

I love poker and cannot get enough of it. I like reading whatever I can, trying to learn more. I read through Sklansky's "Theory of Poker" once, and learned so much. As I'm reading through it a second time, I'm learning so much more. It is by far the best book on Poker that I've read.

The book does not tell you what to do when you're dealt pocket aces in hold'em or when you're dealt three kings in stud. It deals with the concepts underlying what you should do when you're dealt those hands. It's not an instruction manual about how to play each and every specific hand, but it goes over the concepts that are behind each play you could decide. In reading, I have thought back to previous hands that I've played and how I should have played them differently, or how I played them well, based on what the right play would have been for the situation I faced.

The book seems fairly well written. Some of the concepts are very complex and I am only now beginning to really understand them, in my second reading of the book. I highly recommend this book, and I recommend reading it once, and then probably re-reading it a month or so later, you will learn so much more from the second time. Enjoy

I you want a book to explain how to play poker, this is not it; this book is all about winning poker. It assumes a pretty good knowledge of the game in general, and focuses on the main casino forms of poker (there are appendices with brief rules of the games and also a good glossary). And as the title says, the author puts forward a "theory", a framework that he uses to focus each of the specific skills and strategies of the game in order to define what winning is (no, it's not winning a hand), and how to measure and make decisions to help ensure that you win. I wavered between feeling like it was a little pretentious and the realization that he clearly had put a lot of thought and experience into the book.

From a practical standpoint, I think a casual reader's eyes might glaze over after a few chapters. You really have to concentrate and work out the nuances that he describes. One criticism is that as the book progresses, I found that he relied more and more on examples and less on explaining how to think about the specific cases presented. Honestly, while not a bad writer, I think the author is a poker player first. The last few chapters seemed more like he was filling out an outline than actually presenting new information. But the beginning and what he calls the "Fundamental Theorem of Poker" really is where the meat of the book is, and I found this part extremely useful and very practical.

The book tends to fall into jargon, and also tends to be a little defocused, skipping between different games and betting structures for examples without a lot of explanation of why the example was particularly relevant. For example, I found his assumption that readers would understand Game Theory and Bayes Theorem preposterous. I studied economics in college and work in the computer software field for my profession so have a working knowledge of both fields of study. I know enough to know that any practical application, especially of Bayes Theory would be far beyond the reach of many readers, and with almost no explanation seems little more than pretense, to me. I'm calling his bluff on this part :-)

So in the end, it's a lot of work to read the book. There are no simple proscriptions or rules, nor is there any discussion of basics, like working out odds. But there is a logical, and well presented framework that really helped me begin to make sense of how I need to change my game depending on a lot of little things I had never really put together before. And the result has been that I have much greater awareness of what's going on ... and no matter what stakes you are playing for, it makes the game more fun and rewarding.

I re-read this book every few months, and learn something new every time.
There are concepts in here that were so revolutionary when first published that they changed the game. Now, some of them are old hat, but you must know them inside and out.
If you haven't read and understood this book, you shouldn't play poker for money.

This Book was cool. It provided important and useful concepts about the game of Poker. I learned some new strategies, which identified some leaks in my game. Leaks in your game can come from anywhere!!! Leaks can originate from lack of aggression, overcalling raises, misreading opponents and any other number of ways. So this book helps. Many people look at poker the wrong way. They think to win they need to do all of this super fancy plays and mindblowing stunts. Well folks...there are not that many options in poker...you fold, call or raise. So its really hard to do thinks that will just fool your opponents all the time. To win at poker it is mostly limiting your mistakes and getting all that you can from winning hands and minimizing losses on losing hands...that's it

Sklansky book is definitely for the more serious player, though you don't need to be a professional to enjoy. This one ranks right up there with Kriegers 'Hold'em Excellence, though different reads. I have gone back through them a few times each, and something always is re-emphasized for me - an amateur.

Accolades from serious players led me to this book. It is well worth the price. The book "schooled me" in what seperates the amatueurs from the pros. It taught me how to base decisions on odds, and how a bet can be good even if I end up losing the pot. It also made me realize that *I* should only play for fun, because the best players, who TRULY understand it, will take me to the cleaners every time.

This book isn't going to turn its readers into a winning poker player overnight. Sklansky has other books that were written for that purpose.

Instead, Theory of Poker is a book that explores the deep intricacies of the game. Understanding the knowledge within this book will help make the other information a player needs to utilize to become a winning player much more tangible.

It's actually kind of a shame. When this book was first published, it simply revolutionized the world of poker like so few other events have.

This is definitely a must read for anyone who intends to become a student of the game, but I wouldn't recommend it to beginners. Simply put, I have yet to encounter a long term winning poker player who has not read this gem. It's not going to turn a losing player into a winning player, but it will to change the attitude of a losing player, and most poker players are losing players.

Great book, well worth reading whatever form of poker you play. Teaches about general theory which can be applied to situations in general rather than how to play a specific hand.

Look, its like this, a lot of people play poker. Its getting more and more popular every year. If you just do it for fun, or don't really care if you win or not, then this book may not be for you. If you are serious about playing poker, want to actually win money and have a mind that is ready to work to become a better player then this is one of the best books out there. It covers everything from pot-odds to semi-bluff raises and everything else. The best part about the book is that it really sets you up to think about all the factors of a poker game. Since its not completely game specific as a Hold Em book or a Stud book Sklansky's book will give you the well rounded education on how to approach all forms of poker. THIS BOOK WILL CHANGE YOUR POKER PLAYING LIFE.

Buy it, read it, study it

This is an excellent book. I recommend this book for anyone who has even the slightest interest in Poker. It is good for beginners, intermediate players or advanced players, in addition it is also a very good read for those who simply have an academic interest in Poker. The book is well structured and the explanations are simple and straightforward. If you have a genuine interest in this game you simply can not miss to read this book.

I hate to give such a great book a negative title and mediocre review but the fact is that this book is just no longer relevant. Had you bought this before the poker boom you would be golden. The best piece of advice you can get from this book is the basic theory. Other than that the whole book is geared around limit cash games. We all know that NL tournaments is where it is at right now so I would check out Dan Harrington's books first.

Many people say they find Sklansky ruins their game, but I really feel these people aren't serious players and it isn't Sklanksy's advice that is the problem, rather it is their undisciplined play.
Books like this won't MAKE you a great player, but it will enlighten you as to what it takes to consistently win, and maybe one day become a great player. It's very much something you must work on and this book really shows this is true.
A very general poker book in that it doesn't cover any specific game such as Hold'em.

The Theory of Poker is easy to read, providing insights behind Poker in general. It's a great starting point on understanding key concepts like implied odds, positional advantage, and bidding strategy. It is written assuming the reader is a novice, but the concepts are powerful enough to improve the poker skills of a more experienced poker player.

The book applies a very mathematical approach to the game. The key is understanding the odds you have of winning, versus the odds you are being given to play. It is less about playing by feel or reading the other players body language, and more about approaching poker with the mathematical rigor used by pros. Very solid approach to improving one's poker abilities.

The reader should not take this book as the be-all end-all of a poker education, it is merely the beginning. For more specific scenarios ("How do I do well in a no-limit hold-em tournament?") there are books with more finely tuned odds and strategies. In fact, Sklansky has written several of them.

David Sklansky's THEORY OF POKER is a MUST HAVE for anyone looking to improve their game. Sklansky focuses on many different challenges in poker and explains the difference between poker players and professional poker players. His poker theorem focuses on making decisions on the felt, and how positive long-term decisions are more important than positive short-term decisions. My goal is to become a professional poker player. Even though I'm not their yet, I am certain that without this book, I would have a lot of trouble making those critical desicions! Listen to those who gave it 5 stars. I am sooooo surprised this book is only $20! WEEEEELLLLLL worth the money!

This book covers several types of poker so not all of them will apply to your game. It is still a must have in your arsenal of books to read.

Any of the gambling books written by the gang at Two Plus Two publishing are worthy of study, but "The Theory of Poker" is the best. Sklansky starts with The Fundamental Theorem of Poker: "Anytime you act differently that you would have acted had you known what cards the other players were holding, you have lost money; anytime the other players act differently had they known what cards you were holding, they have lost money." He then elaborates on pot odds, implied pot odds, and all sorts of other poker strategy considerations. "The Theory of Poker" is not specific to any type of poker--this book will be in print no matter what new type of poker replaces Hold 'em in the years to come.

I havne't read the book therefore I have no personal opinion but the person I gave it to likes it. It is supposed to be "The Book" on poker.

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.

This is a great book, especially for intermediate players. If you know the basics and want something more than just starting hand requirements, this book would be a good choice.

You need to learn the theory to be able to improve your chances of winning. This provides all the theory on why to bet and how to bet. Very interesting.

I recently bought three books about poker from Amazon.ca Internet Texas Holdem, Holdem Poker for Advanced Players and this book The Theory of Poker after searching Google for reviews on poker books. I just finished reading this one and let me tell you that I can see why it is on the top of everyone's list.

I play poker online at (...) and using David's logic and strategies I have increased my profit a lot. I'm a new player to Texas Holdem. But reading David's book has given me such an advantage at the table just as it has for other people that have written reviews for this book that sometimes I also feel as though I'm cheating just as they do.

If you want to learn how to play the game the way the Poker Masters do then this book should be in your collection. This book will not let you down.

I will end the review with one thing that helped me a lot from this book and that is the amount of money that your start playing with. The book suggests that before you sitdown at a table you make sure you have300 times the Big Blind to play with and I can not stress enough how important this is to winning. This means that if the big blind is $2 then your going to want to go in with no less than $600. If you dont have 600 then I have read elsewere that you need atleast 100 times, so between 100 and 300 seems to be the norm for starting bankroll requirments.

This book was great. It was an analytical and a foundation building book for the art/science that is poker.

This is the all-time poker classic. For those with no theoretical background to the game, this book will open your eyes. Evey serious poker player has read this book. I would like the book more if all of the examples in the text were for more common games like Texas Hold'em and 7-Stud than games like Razz.

This book is a MUST for anyone looking to move up to the next level in any game of poker. David Sklansky is probably one of the most versed authors on the subject, and has a great series of books on Holdem.

If you want to win consistently, you MUST have this book!

This is the author the other poker writers will tend to quote most often. Although some of the material was pretty basic, this book is a must-read for the serious or wannabe serious player. Before you step up to more strategic poker concepts, get the basic game down with the concepts outlined here. If you're not absolutely certain how you want to vary your semi-bluff, slow play and agressive play strategies, then here is your primer. Not the most compelling page-turner I've ever seen but a solid text book.

Not for the casual beginner, but anyone who is seriously interested in poker this is probably the best comprehensive book on poker fundamentals.

Have read this book and others by the same author. With much study and practice I have managed to use what I learned to earn a substantial amount of extra income each year playing 15-20 hrs weekly. There are no "secrets to winning" in this book, just solid information. It is up to the reader to understand and apply it.

Accept no substitute.
This book is the definitive work on the logic of playing poker.
Anyone interested in improving their poker-playing skills must read this.

How would you play if ALL the cards were face-up? Any difference, when the cards are face down is a mistake. Ditto for your opponents. Sklansky expounds this fundamental theorem in great detail. This is a must-have book.

This is a must read for any serious beginner to intermediate player. Most advanced players will probably have knowledge of the biggest part of the topics covered but it's never bad to refresh yourself.

Essential information covered is pot odds, implied odds,draws and the free-card concept, among other things.

The Theory of Poker presents ideas that have the potential to improve your game significantly. There is a reason why this book is consistently named by almost everyone as one of the best poker books out there. In fact, I would go as far as to say if you haven't read this you are probably not playing the best poker you could play. I had seen several of these concepts discussed elsewhere, but it wasn't until I read this that I fully understood the power of calculating pot odds/estimating implied odds, semi-bluffing, and raising in many different situations. These are powerful concepts, and Sklansky backs them up with mathematics.

Many of the concepts presented in this book are not intuitive, but once Sklansky takes you through some examples, you will kick yourself for not having used them before. He provides sufficient evidence to show that these strategies really do work.

It is important to understand, and I think this book does a good job of explaining, that you will get beat when you implement these strategies. That is inevitible. But if you keep at it, you will come out ahead in the long run.

This book is probably not the best book for beginners. This actually was the first poker book I read, but I wish I had more of a fundamental knowledge base before I read this. I tried to implement several of these strategies in my game, but I found that I lacked the proper context to really understand why they worked and in which situations. But once I practiced, read some more, and then came back to this, it was extremely useful.

In short, if you are serious about improving your poker game, this book is absolutely essential. Read a couple of beginner books first and practice a lot, and then check this one out. You will be very pleased that you did.

The only reason I don't give it five stars is because many of the examples concern games that I am really not interested in and don't care to learn (at least not now). I understand that Sklansky wrote this as a general poker book, and he did so back in '94, but most poker players today are interested in Hold Em. So examples that used Stud or Razz to illustrate their point weren't as useful as they could have been. I do know that Sklansky wrote a book specifically on Hold Em though, so not a big deal.

Every time I read a sklansky book and tried to encorporate it into my game I lost my money. I stay away from his stuff period.

There are some must-read poker books and this one is in that category, Sklansky certainly knows the game of poker as a theorist and as a player. I highly recommend reading this book.

Frank Scoblete: author of Golden Touch Blackjack Revolution! and Golden Touch Dice Control Revolution!

This is a great book for people that already understand how to play poker. It helps to have some knowledge of the different versions of the game, but there is a glossary just in case. It is a very good read for those who like to understand theory. It also has tips on improving your game, but the focus is on the why of poker. The book really makes you think.

This is a great book if you have the patience to go over a couple of parts a few times becouse the material is "deep".This books conscepts can be applied to all types poker wich makes it so invaluable. A sure addition to any poker library.

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.

This is a Great book for intermediate players. Not really good for new players. So read this book once you have some hands under your belt.

This book is great for experienced players. although the name "theory of poker" would make this book seem to be the first book you read...it definately is not. Read some other books first and then come to this one. It is the ultimate book at taking your game from intermediate to expert level.

This book has some good information in it and is certainly worth reading although I don't think reading it is a necessity to becoming a good player. It is a very tedious and boring read just like most of the other reviews say. It will take some willpower to get through it because there really is a lot of useless information in the book. However, there is also a lot of good information that you can learn from as well.

I am only halfway through the book but it has already improved my game. The way that Sklansky presents the information helps you to think about the way the competition is thinking and how they may play their hand. This is the second book I've purchased that was written by Sklansky and I will be purchasing more. His books will be reference material for the rest of my poker playing career.

This book is not for the casual player who plays for fun every other month. But if you want to know how the pros think or if you want to be able to compete on a higher level at any kind of poker this book is a must.

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.

This is a great book for an intermediate player looking to up their game. It is even good for a relatively good beginner who wants a step in the right direction. This book is great and it covers every aspect of the game. I would tell anyone to get it and it is a good read that flows very well. I especially enjoyed the situational stories where he asks how you would play a hand and then tell you how it should be played and why.

This is the best poker book ever written. It makes everything that is unclear clear. After reading this i did not have to trust my inuition any more, instead I could apply cold logic into every poker decision.

Read and re-read this book. You will need to do that to grasp some of the concepts within. All you need to know about poker theory is in here. If you are serious about poker and taking your game to a higher level - this is a must have - no question.

I didn't really care for this book that much...it was very "general" I did not really find a lot of stuff in it that i thought i could use to make m game much better. Maybe because i am fairly new...but i still need to be spoon fed a lot of this information.

Okay, this book has wonderful information within it. Almost nothing Mr. Sklansky states within the book is bad information, and he uses relatively easy language. The problem many may have with the book is that while there are many simple learning tools that will help every reader immediately, this book is not one of them. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR A HOLE'EM PLAYER. If you're looking to learn Hold'em only, DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK YET! Even if you are looking to learn more than games than Hold'em, I would suggest 'SuperSystem' first. My reasoning is simple, in this book, Mr Sklansky bounces from game to game to illustrate his examples. For a player who is trying to establish a winning approach to the game, this book may very well confuse you with so many examples and will not build confidence.

From my previous statements, one might wonder why I would give this book a 5 star rating, and the answer is because to those whom can follow the book, it's essentially the handbook to every basic principle in the game. I would compare 'The Theory of Poker' to a school professor(and I will note this SPECIFIC book only and not the author or his other works) who does not dumb down his lessons for the lesser committed students, but whom will give a student the most out of the class if that student is completely dedicated. The catch is, this professer is teaching a third or fourth level class that without the necessary prerequisites, the student will be lost. I would guess that only one out of about six poker players trying to figure out if this is the right book for them would be correct in deciding it is, but to that one person, this is a MUST-HAVE! To those five people out of the six, if you have to ask whether or not you are ready for the book, the one person who is ready wouldn't have to ask. That person would be asking is the book worth reading, and the answer is yes!

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

Despite the fact that this book is a must have for any poker player (and it is), I must say it's not a complete guide for dummies. One must have some poker background in order to enjoy the full contents of this book, since the most I got from it is consolidating the knowledges I already had. For instance, most poker players are familiar with semi-bluffing, but the book somewhat provides a more indepth approach that will really explain what it's about, how to use it and why it's so powerful against the right opponents. You'll have to read it to understand what I mean. I also thinks someone should publish a book exactly like this, but focused on NLHE, since most information in this book is about "POKER" as a general sense and the reader must learn to "filter" what is and isn't valid for what type of poker he or she plays. That's the reason why I'm only giving it 4 stars; otherwise it would be a five.

By the end of Chapter 4, Sklansky had opened my eyes to the error in my overall approach to the Monday night poker games I've been playing. Sklansky presents the elements of poker theory clearly and directly. Once a player knows the rules of the game, this would be a good book to begin learning poker strategy whether you play draw, stud, or Texas hold 'em.

Poker theory for those who know how to play, but want to get better in a rational way. Well explained, good examples, but you still need to really think to get the message. Great book.

This book is an excellent reference for playing all types of poker. Some of the topics are a bit in depth for the beginner and sometimes are a bit complex to understand. However, it is worth going through and having on your shelf if you are at all interested in learning the complexities of poker. Just make sure that you realize it is not for texas hold'em specifically but for general concepts of all poker and many examples will be from other types of poker games (7-stud, omaha, hi-lo games, etc...). If you are interested in only hold'em, check out Sklansky's book on that.

Clear, readable outline of common sense strategies that make the game more interesting and clever.

This is a Must for all poker players both amateur and professional! I've improved my game in many different areas.

As the title says, the most part of this book covers the theory behind the pokerplay. It does provide with some new "basics" and behaviour examples of different play, I did found it quite extensive and repeating sometimes. Luckily it has a summary of each chapter so you dont have to repeat all of it. Put in short a basis read for anyone who knows a little poker already, but want to know if he knows all the basics.

I play many games, but not poker. But I still learned a lot!

Sklansky ties everything back to one simple idea, "The Fundamental Theorem of Poker", and he does it in a way which exposes the key ideas and some connections between them. And I ready to play a killer game now? Of course not. But I now have the key concepts and a roadmap to learn how to play.

It could easyily have been called the mathimatical theory behind poker.It has it all, the math plus beginner to advanced concepts.Although at times it can be complex but with patience and persistence as in poker U will be rewarded. At its heart its a great genreal poker book. If U want a preflop to the river rundown in poker/holdem buy supersystem (or maby after this book for a more indepth look at holdem Skanskys holdem for advanced players. But this book comes complete w/mathmatical formulas, concepts & examples that will make U the chip leader amongst ur friends or soon to be enemies.

Any serious poker player should read it several times throughout their poker career.

The games and rules may change, but the underlying priniciples remain the sam.

This is one of the best books I have read about game theory and advanced thinking. If you are a somewhat experienced player this is a great book, but if you are a very experienced player, this had better be in your collection.

Just get it! truly a must have for anyone trying to improve not only their poker game, but understanding of... well everything and anything you can gain an edge in. msy

Good theories if you study closely although book can be very boring the first time through- requires rereading...also book applies to all forms of poker not just Texas Holdem, so many of the examples are from 5 card draw, 7 card stud, razz...etc

This is a good book for the beginning poker player. It does a great job of explaining the philosophy to winning poker.

I just picked it up and found it to be brilliant. I also got another cool book called The System by Roy Valentine which was quite fascinating. Great reads!!

It's not the easiest reading around, but it does teach you how to play poker the right way. Skalnsky's prose is tiresome at times, but he's trying to convey theoretical poker play in a clear and concise manner. A definate read for the medium to advanced poker player.

If you play poker seriously,this is the book for you. Anyone who plays poker at a casino or card room should read and know this book. a little advanced for the beginning player, but re-reading will help. I can't say enough on how helpful it will be, WELL worth the money