Rating: 
Summary: Every Serious Player Has This Book
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best books on poker ever written.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: excellent
Review: 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"
Rating:
Summary: One of The Top Ten Poker Books in the world
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Fantastic information; but gets tedious as it progresses.
Review: I think this book has spoken for itself, but I'll add to the praise. This book is phenomenal. While it is not meant to address any specific hand situations or strategies, the concepts put forth are so invaluable that you're giving your opponent an edge by not reading it.
All of the concepts are useful, some more than others, but concepts like pot odds, implied odds, the free card, the semi-bluff, bluffing theory, and playing heads-up on the end are just amazing. Sklansky may not be the best writer ever, but he certainly gets his point across in these sections, and they'll probably blow your mind. For instance, how many poker players with three of a kind showing in stud would understand that betting after being checked to on the last card is foolish? Not many. If you think about it, though, good players would only call or raise your bet if they could beat a full house. So you lose nothing by checking. It's concepts like this that make the Theory of Poker the best poker book ever.
The book isn't flawless, however. Sklansky gets a little wrapped up in his own genius at times. He seems to believe that there is no defense against his baby, the semi-bluff. Most of his examples, however, involve you having a pathetic hand against an opponent. If you have a mediocre hand against a semi-bluff, the semi-bluff will work sometimes. However, Sklansky kind of breezes over the fact that many times you will a) have a hand you know is best, or b) know your opponent is semi-bluffing, particularly in stud. Similarly, in the bluffing theory section, Sklansky seems to talk himself into believing that "optimal bluffing" is unbeatable. This is also not as clear-cut as he makes it. Sure, there are times when you will use some random algorithm for bluffing and win, but there will be many times when it doesn't matter if you bluff or not, your opponent has you beat and he knows it.
Theory can only go so far. Eventually, instinct and common sense take over. However, that doesn't mean you can just ignore these concepts. You have to know them, even if your opponent doesn't (just remember that they're less effective if your opponent isn't aware of them). However, when you're up against an opponent that is better than you, theory is the one thing you can always fall back on that is not affected by the skill of your opponent.
Overall, you must read this book. I've already said that, and I'll say it again. I still can't give it 5 stars, even though I believe it's the best book on poker ever written. As a whole, it clearly is, but there are several sections that really get a bit ridiculous, and can really confuse someone who is taking everything for face value (I mentioned a few, but there are more near the end of the book). If you learn and understand the concepts presented and you're serious about poker, you'll figure out how each plays a part in your own poker game. You don't have to go by the book, but you should keep them in mind when you're making a decision at the poker table.
(Side note: the section on reading hands has a 7-card stud example that I think everyone should read. If you look at the hand and come up with the same solution as Sklansky, then you need to write your own poker books.)
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Book
Review: 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!
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Summary: Please DO NOT BUY this book.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: If there was one book, this would be it!
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Necessary for Any Serious Poker Player
Review: 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
Rating:
Summary: recommened for serious players
Review: 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
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