Put your poker books down for a bit and take note....

Before you turn the page of another poker book trying to gain some insightful knowledge on how to improve your game, stop, put the book down and pick up and read, not just read, but READ Sun Tzu's The Art of War.

Many of us have read the book The Art of War at some point but did you really read it?

This book applies to many facets of life...career, sports, and most certainly poker.

I urge you to read the book, highlight key quotes/points and study, then apply. You will not view poker the same as you do now. And in turn think about the key points of The Art of War as you study your game and think of practical terms on how to use your newly gained knowledge.

Here are some sample quotes to get you thinking about how this could apply to poker:

"All warfare is based on deception. 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. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him."

"If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

"the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to w in or lose."

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign."

"The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."

Good luck on your journey!

One Love