David Sklansky

David Sklansky is one of the top authorities on gambling and one of the most respected authors of poker books in history. As of 2009, he has written or co-written 13 books on poker, blackjack, and general gambling. His two most highly-acclaimed books are Theory of Poker published in 1987 and Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players, a book on middle-limit games which is one of the most common books cited by skilled players as being the most helpful in improving their game the most. He also does consulting work for casinos and gaming device companies.

Born and raised in New Jersey, David's father was a Columbia University math professor so it was natural for David to become proficient in math. He later went to the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania but was so interested in the mathematics and strategy of poker that he decided to play professionally.

Although most people know him solely as an author, he has a few decades of experience in playing high-level tournaments. He has 24 cashes in the WSOP, 3 bracelets (interestingly, they were his first 3 cashes), and $392,161 in total WSOP earnings. His most impressive WSOP finish though was probably his 2nd place in the 1989 $5,000 WSOP Limit 7-Card Stud event for $96,250. He also has 4 WPT cashes, his most impressive being his 3rd place finish in the Borgata Poker Open during Season 5 for $419,040. His other notable WPT cash was his 1st place finish in the "By the Book Invitational" in 2004, which brought together poker authors and professionals such as Phil Hellmuth, Mike Caro, T.J. Cloutier, Mike Sexton and Doyle Brunson.

COMMENTS:

He's on his own trip!...certified with papers...his nickname
should be "MOLE"

????? on May 31, 2006

i hear his next book will be about how to try and win a game..something this guy cant do

new book on August 6, 2005

you seen that poker series on fx, he is in the top five in points I believe.

trate80 on August 2, 2005

5-Card Stud sucks. and besides u cant get it published then cause plagarisim is against the law.

JetsFan315 on July 28, 2005

I wrote a book about 5-card stud. Unfortunately it took up less than one page, so i had to fill up the rest of the book with plagarised Sklansky material.

Unregistered on July 23, 2005

DS is a genius but we dont get to see his theory put into practice by himself. I wish he wasnt just a good teacher but also a good player.

Perfect example of on July 22, 2005

u do know that Sklansky was in Super/System

JetsFan315 on July 21, 2005

Learned how to smoke a bong from his book

Unregistered on July 21, 2005

If you haven't read a poker book and are serious about poker then your retarded. Unless your a genius you'll never realize how much information your giving away or not recieving. If you do choose to read a book you should deffinatly read Sklansky. But if your a redneck idiot then dont bother, you won't get it any way. For the rednecks and retards read Brunson he "dumbs it down" for ya. But not to say that its not usefull information... Both grade A, just in different leagues.

It matters not on July 18, 2005

Sklanskys books r not trash. i want to see u right a poker book, let me read it and see if that would help me. read his books, they help. sklansky is a good player as well

JetsFan315 on July 16, 2005

Learned Pot Odds From His Book.

loveland on July 11, 2005

Sklansky is a awesome player. but y isnt Caro on this list, HE TAUGHT ME ALL THOSE TELLS, put Caro on the list. if it where not for caro i would have not been able to tell that both of my other opponents where bluffing.

JetsFan315 on July 7, 2005

Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players vastly improved my game. Even for the beginner the first few chapters of the text would be extreamly helpful. Sklansky/Malmuth's starting hand ranking charts alone are well worth the cost of this book.p.s.- thanks for your post Blaseborough, I enjoyed it.

B.B.D. on June 26, 2005

The man is legendary for packing an 11" piece. Also one of the best limit hold em authors alive.

Mason on June 23, 2005

Say all you want about this guy. He may be a geek, but he is a great player and has wrote the best books to date on limit hold'em. I just wish he had some more books on games like no limit hold'em and pot limit omaha.

greatwhite on June 19, 2005

I played poker with David Sklansky (nicknamed Leg'um) when I was in college. He was a legend even then.He was the "Pittsburgh Phil" of poker. Once folded 162 hands straight. Then he raised $10 in a no limit game and everyone folded...and fast. Not playing him should be worth the cost of his books.By the way,he has always had that quizical look.He also passed 5 parts of the Life Actuary exam before he was 19. Below is the best poker advice I can give you. Memorize his face. If he is at a table, stayu far,far away.P.S. If you run into him and want to break up his pokerface, just remind him "Blase has fives and treys".

Blaseborough on May 28, 2005

For all the haters, notice that Sklansky has outlasted most of the entire field in the WPT Championship match. Of the 17 still alive, Sklansky's still duking it out. So hush yo mouth willis.

scott. on April 22, 2005

he thinks he rewrote doyle brunson's book considered to be the bible of poker. Thats exactly write. He "rewrote it." Not better that doyles the a whole lot of the same thing. Sklansky go get a life. you dont deserve to be with poker.

Unregistered on April 22, 2005

you people talk alot of trash, but is your poker bankroll 7 figures or more ?

The Element on April 17, 2005

Sklansky has shed light on concepts i wouldn't have considered for years without his help. For those without the time... Keep buying in!!!

jay bee/ j.bunny on April 1, 2005

Beat ivey in the heads up championship... what a tragedy.

P.. on March 5, 2005

See above posts.

TO iveyWannabe on February 24, 2005

how are his books?

iveyWannabe on February 22, 2005

read his books, waste of time, better off on my own

flush80 on February 3, 2005

Read everything you can on poker and then use your friggin' brain to decide what works best for your game. Sklansky never tells his readers that all his advice is written in stone. You have to pick and choose given the situation. His books are very good but are only part of one's "battle plan".

Bumblebee711 on January 15, 2005

David Sklansky is a freakin' genius. I just played in a series of two no limit hold 'em tournaments tonight, and I won one and placed second in the other. Before the tournament, I bought his book on tournament poker, and read it. I followed his good advice, like avoiding close decisions, and saving your chips for those times when you are a heavy favorite. All the old-timers are great! They're cash game specialists. When they started playing, there were very few tournaments, so they played in cash games. Concepts translate over to tournament poker, but not all of them. Some (like Sklansky) believe that the $10,000 tournament at the WSOP should be a multi game format, like HORSE (Hold 'em, Omaha, Razz, Stud eight or better; I think). Anyway, Sklansky is great! He's just money. Badmouthing him is idiocracy.

Staxxx on January 8, 2005

David's book is simply amazing. It has helped my game tremendously.

JR. on January 8, 2005

just ordered his book "Theory of Poker".Should be great!

Unregistered on December 18, 2004

Another WPT kid eh? Turn off your TV and realize that it's much more EV+ for top players to play in cash games. There's alot more overlay and you can work around your schedule, just because he's not on TV doesn't mean hes a good player. He does have 3 bracelets however, so maybe instead of being an ignorant prick you can turn off your WSOP episode and educate yourself.

rich d is absolutely retarted on December 14, 2004

And if by 4/8 you mean 300/600, than yes.

uhh on December 14, 2004

Tournament play doesn't make you the best in the world...Look at David "chip" Reese, Mike Caro, and David Sklansky. Three of the greatest players in the world, but never play in tournaments. There is more money in ring games...idiots

Unregistered on December 11, 2004

Why do you think Doyle Brunson had David Sklansky and Mike Caro write in his book!?

Unregistered on December 11, 2004

And David "Chips" Reese!?

Unregistered on December 11, 2004

yeah, you should rush out and buy all his books, read them, and apply what you learned. After all, it obviously works for him - like in the 2002 WSOP, when he was in the hand against...oh wait, maybe that was someone elseSo, then there's the 2000 WSOP when, um, ah...OK, never mind how about THIS year's WSOP !!! Did you see those hands David Sklansky played???...neither did I.Those who CAN, DO - those who CAN'T, TEACH (or try to anyway :>)

Rich D on December 9, 2004

Shouldn't Mason be included somewhere to?

Anony on October 30, 2004

read his books, waste of time, better off on my own

jonnyC on September 28, 2004

anyone that says 2+2 books are a waste of time are either ignorant or stupid. they are the best books out there, period. dont trust any others

wow on September 26, 2004

Mr. Sklansky is one of the all time greats of poker!!

LAWRENCENAM on August 21, 2004

his books are a waste.read super system,or t.j.books

got u beat on July 14, 2004

Good books if you like to read and are interested in poker...some mathmatical b.s though. Reading is knowdledge it cant hurt you to study something if you want to excell in it. See you at the WSOP someday

Joey "Stacks" on July 13, 2004

His books are great to finish out your poker schooling. Only after you have tried and failed will you say thanks for the road map dave.

splat on July 2, 2004

hands down the best poker/gambling writer in our generation; i doubt anyone can top his legacy in the poker world;

sportsbettor on June 28, 2004

The guy sticks to 4/8 games where he can beat rookies. Very mechanical. Beware of the books he makes money on - they will get you introuble against better players.

Krieger on June 20, 2004

read his stuff - get better.

ka-bang on June 15, 2004

i feel bad that nobody wrote anything here. good books, helped my game somwhat thank ds

keebler on June 13, 2004

Worm

David Sklansky

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