SunTzu: The Art of War
 

Just wondering who has read it, and if anyone has specifically applied it to poker (or other aspects of life). I haven't picked it up in a while, but I plan on going through it again this weekend with a poker perspective to see what I can learn. Any thoughts?

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

agreed

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

agreed

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

You could apply some of the concepts to poker, but you won't learn anything about poker. You'll think to yourself, "Hmmm, that's kind of like poker." You won't discover anything that's going to improve you game IMO.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

There is quite alot about rivers in there.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

I think it would teach you how to assemble your troups in a wedge formation for the camera like The Crew did at the WSOP...

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just wondering who has read it, and if anyone has specifically applied it to poker (or other aspects of life). I haven't picked it up in a while, but I plan on going through it again this weekend with a poker perspective to see what I can learn. Any thoughts?

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with the other posters that you will not learn any tactics for your game but my strategies have been improved because of that book.

Make it even simpler it won't help you play your hand but WILL help you play your opponent.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

This book and other Zen related reads have GREATLY improved my poker game as well as my life-view.

GoT

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

it will help u if u treat poker like a war that was fought thousands of years ago

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

I've read the book many times before. I had the thought to apply it poker because my brother and I were talking about being heads up versus DS or any of the other 2+2 authors that we have learned from (i.e. versus a player who we cannot in any way match skill or knowledge of the game).

The only strategy I could think of for that situation was, "Go where the enemy is not."

Couple ?s...
 

I almost picked it up the other day. Which version is better? There were a couple. I think i just want the basic version. Or is there a version that has some cool additions/insights added? Any ideas?

Another one...

When i skimmed through it a bit it was like reading a book full of fortune cookie fortunes. How did you approach reading this type of book? Just curious.

It kind of reminds me of the Harvey Penick books on golf. "The little red book".

b

ps. I also agree that it will help ones game when looking at the opponent and their perspective.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

it is all about terrain and espionage and the fact that if you have to get to the river...AA and KK might both lose to the gut shot laing in the weeds. it will teach you about keeping the pot the right size so it isn't such an attractive target, and when to go after the pot no one else wants.

I think that is more what he was looking for: How to read opponents based on the intelligence you can glean from your assessment of his turf, and how to manipulate the location at the table to your advantage.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

I bought the barnes and noble version a few years ago, and it was very readable, and affordable.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

[ QUOTE ]
Let the enemy pay for the war.

[/ QUOTE ]

This could mean, go win money playing poker, and use it to buy more 2+2 books to help you improve your game. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

Definitely. That's a fantastic book my dad got me to read. Deception is obviously a huge part which obviously can apply to poker and everyday life under given circumstances.

For instance in the book he says:

"According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans."
* Situational analysis. You may have the best hand preflop, or on the flop but that can change instantly and you need to know your opponent in order to adjust your "plans."

"All warfare is based on deception."
* Self-explanatory.

"Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we
are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
when far away, we must make him believe we are near.."

* Seemingly a variation of Strong Means Weak, Weak Means Strong.. What can you do to decept your enemy.

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him."
* I just like that line. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

"If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to
irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."

* Ahh, good ol' Phil Helmuth has worked this to perfection. *L*

"Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline,
simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness
postulates strength"

I think sometimes whenever you're in a "slump," a little inspiration never hurts.

"Mastery" by George Leonard is good, too.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

It will make you hungry for orange chicken.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

[ QUOTE ]
I bought the barnes and noble version a few years ago, and it was very readable, and affordable

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny you mention that. That's where i was at where they had like 5+ versions of it. Some with commentary some with other stuff. Some big, some small. Some with pretty covers, some with plain. Are the small ones just condensed versions? One even had a package with a day calendar with sayings.

b

Re: Couple ?s...
 

Bernie-

I picked up the "Denma Translation" version earlier this week. What attracted me to it was the fact that they include a good amount of essays on how they interpret Sun Tzu's teachings. I will give a full review on it when I am done, but so far I like what I have seen.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

the one i got had a red dust jacket. i am in the process of remodelling and most books are hidden somewhere.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

i love this book so much that i like having it in two versions--the fat one with all the commentaries and then a little pocket-sized version that i carry around with me all the time. like everyone said, it doesn't help specifically with tactics, but i find it very applicable to winning at life as well as poker.

one day i'd like to write an updated, condensed version in comic book form with just the nuts for modern short-attention-spans. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Couple ?s...
 

[ QUOTE ]
Some with pretty covers, some with plain

[/ QUOTE ]

go with the pretty one. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

cheers!

Re: Couple ?s...
 

I'm not sure exactly what version it is, but there is a pdf format of the book floating around the internet. It can probably be purchased from somewhere like Amazon (or downloaded from soulseek if that's your gig).

I've got that version of it, but haven't had much chance to look at it yet.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

looks like you can also d/l a version of it here for free.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

Here's an article about it:

http://www.pokerpages.com/articles/p...ew-irish01.htm

Re: Couple ?s...
 

Where? I can't find it.

To answer the original poster: I consider it canonical poker literature, well worth the time and effort. You take from it what you give.

Re: Couple ?s...
 

right here [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: Couple ?s...
 

Ah, where it says "Free E-book"? Who knew? [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

Great book, get it and read it. Helped me analyze my game and a lot of things I do in life.

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War
 

[ QUOTE ]
Here's an article about it:

http://www.pokerpages.com/articles/p...ew-irish01.htm

[/ QUOTE ]

"The author feels compelled to warn you that it is a touch drier than Sklansky (yes, it is possible)"

Had to laugh at that one.

Sun Tzu, Lao Tsu, Mitamoto Musashi and myriad other Zen writers can all help our games IMHO. Just as working out can or anything else one might do to become a better person.

I say that now since my BR just got decimated over the weekend. I gotta stop following fish into rooms w/ a higher limit than I'm used to. Just because I picked him apart in the $50 NL game doesn't mean his cronies in the $400 NL room won't eat my bones.

Gotta go back and re-read the Zen masters and see what they have to say on this. Is there a Zen story similar to the Icarus Myth?

*Owie!* Back to the .05/.10 limit tables for a spell. ;~)

Re: SunTzu: The Art of War