[Gamblor]

If you read TOP by Messrs. Sklansky and Malmuth, you'll find the Fundamental Theorem of Poker, paraphrased as follows:

Irrespective of outcomes of individual hands, in the long run: You play correctly when you bet exactly as you would if you could see all your opponents cards. You play incorrectly when you bet differently than you would if you could see all your opponents cards.

When you play correctly, you gain. When you play incorrectly, you lose. At the same time, when your opponents play correctly, you lose. When your opponents play incorrectly, you gain.

All that is well and good, but what are the implications?

Notice the four key parts of Theorem:
1) How can I determine the right bet?
- This first part leads to the theories regarding pot odds.
2) How can I determine my opponents cards?
- This leads to the theories of hand reading
3) How can I avoid making my opponents play correctly?
- This is table selection - a table where opponents play incorrectly i.e. chase without odds.
4) How can I make my opponents play incorrectly?
- This is deception - bluffing, check-raising and slowplaying.

Everything else is extrapolated off of these ideas.