Theory of Poker -- Obvious information and boring as hell to read

[BarronVangorToth]

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Hi, Devil's Advocate here. If all other poker books got their concepts from TOP, then claims of "revolutionary" new concepts--words I have heard several times by 2+2 and other authors--would be false.

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Hello DA,

Me saying that some writers have expressed concepts that they got from TOP does not mean that they haven't also extrapolated on those lessons and/or written material not include in TOP. By way of example, Small Stakes Hold 'em has material in it that you won't find in TOP ... but that doesn't mean that you won't also some find lessons in it that have their roots in Sklansky's teachings. The problem is when people don't give props to those that paved the way; Ed Miller numerous times has said that he owes a great deal to David Sklansky and to Mason Malmuth ... many non-2+2 writers, who likewise owe to their poker literary forefathers, don't stand-up like they should.

[chicagoY]

Not one word of it was obvious when he wrote it.

[BigStack650]

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did not present a single piece of information that isn't blatantly obvious

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It may be obvious after reading it, but I doubt you would have thought it up yourself. Sklansky's whole objective is to teach so that people read this work and say, "Gee, how come I didn't think of that?" because it looks very obvious.

[7n7]

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I cannot beleive so many people speak of this book so highly. I read it last week and it did not present a single piece of information that isn't blatantly obvious to anyone with half a brain. Sure it might be nice at an introductory level for someone who knows absolutely nothing about poker. But other than that, what is the big fuss about?

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What's your background...anything mathematical by chance? What age bracket you in?

I guess I'm not sure how you'd like those of us that found it so valuable to respond.

Things that I don't think would be common knowledge to the beginning Joe Poker Player out there:

1. Effective and implied odds. And for many, pot odds.
2. Probably never heard of game theory
3. They've probably bet out on a draw, but never knew it was called a semi-bluff.
4. Expectation

I could probably list others but am too lazy to go upstairs and grab the book.

Basically, there is a small amount (and with today's technology, this group is growing) of folks out there that pick up on things so much quicker than most. They don't need to be told.

Am I one of those people? Nope.

Am I jealous of those type people? Yep.

[Skipbidder]

I can't stand Shakespeare because it is full of so many cliches.

[popniklas]

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I can't stand Shakespeare because it is full of so many cliches.

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nh

[Peter666]

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I can't stand Shakespeare because it is full of so many cliches.

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nh

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Exactly. Reminds me of the literature thread where someone said that Shakespeare is overrated and the OOT thread where someone gave Bo Derek, the star of "10", a 3.5.

Most people are so full of crap that they can't see beyond the crap they are full of, and like a poor man's Midas, turn everything they touch into crap.

[BarronVangorToth]

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Reminds me of the literature thread where someone said that Shakespeare is overrated

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By definition, in my book, Shakespeare IS overrated ... Sklansky is not.

And it's not even close.

But I don't think you see why.

[Peter666]

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Reminds me of the literature thread where someone said that Shakespeare is overrated

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By definition, in my book, Shakespeare IS overrated ... Sklansky is not.

And it's not even close.

But I don't think you see why.

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You're right, I don't see why. Will you elaborate or will others do it?

I will say that Sklansky is to poker literature what Shakespeare is to English Literature.

[xxx]

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I can't stand Shakespeare because it is full of so many cliches.

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And what's the big deal about Watson and Crick? Everyone knows DNA is a double helix. Heck, I knew it in grade school and no one even gave me a gold star.