The Fundamental Theorem Of Poker

The essential theorem of poker sounds a lot more intimidating than it actually is because it uses a couple words that most people don't hear everyday. The truth is, the fundamental theorem of poker is quite simple and clearly spoken - yet at the same time it's even more complex compared to the scientific-sounding name implies.

The essential theorem of poker is another contribution to the poker world by notable poker domino player, theorist and author David Sklansky, who also came up with the gap concept, among other things. The theorem reads as follows:

"Every time you play a hand differently from the manner in which you would have played it in the event that you could see all your opponents' cards, they gain; and every time you play your hand the same way you'd have played it if you could see all their cards, they lose. Conversely, every time opponents play their hands differently from the way they could have if they could see all of your cards, you gain; and each time they play their hands the same way they might have played if they could see your entire cards, you lose. "

It's a whole lot of words to sum up a reasonably simple idea, and that is this: if you could see your opponent's cards, then it would be possible to produce decisions centered on complete mathematical certainty. Ergo, assuming you knew your math and understood some basic poker concepts like pot odds, you could always make perfect decision to bring you closer to winning the table. By the same token, if your opponent could see all your cards, he would have the same decision-making power.

What might theorem of poker emphasizes is the fact that information is probably the most important resource that any poker player has. The more information you have, the better your chances of making the correct decision.

Unfortunately, there is little that players can do to truly increase their available information. While you may possibly have the ability to "read" your opponents, any information that you gain from this is far from complete. Plus, there is always the chance that your opponent is earnestly deceiving you, feeding you misinformation that may surely bring about you making an incorrect decision.

What you can take far from the fundamental theorem of poker is that there is always a correct decision. While you shouldn't beat yourself up for making an incorrect decision, you should use every hand as an opportunity to gain as much information as possible. Learn about your opponents to be able to better predict their actions in the future. Even if the only information that one can glean is that your opponent is playing completely randomly, that is still information that you can use.

Don't believe too hard about how exactly this theorem applies to your everyday game - you'll just drive yourself crazy. Instead, think about it in a wide sense and try to keep your mind ready to accept every possible avenue for new information.