Rating: 
Summary: Poker's best textbook for general concepts
Review: "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.
Rating:
Summary: An absolutely essential book for a SERIOUS poker player.
Review: -
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.
Rating:
Summary: Indispensable
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A must have for the serious player!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A serious book for serious players
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Poker Classic.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Buy it, read it, study it
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Dave in Cali on Theory of Poker
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: To be studied, not just read once
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book . . .I think
Review: 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.
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