RIP DAVID SKLANSKY

I have been reading all things DS since the old "Gambling Times" days. I have advocated for his induction in the Poker HOF for years. I hope it happens sooner rather than later.

The book was probably Sklansky on Poker Theory which was the original version of The Theory of Poker. It was published by Gambler's Book Club in 1978.

RIP

2+2 changed my life, RIP

I read David's Theory of Poker over 20 years ago now. Coming from humble beginnings, getting skilled at poker led to my first taste of financial independence. Poker was the sole reason I could afford my first cell phone, and help out more at home. I learned the lessons from that treatise and then became a member of TwoPlusTwo, whereby more expert lessons became ingrained.

David improved my life tremendously, much like many others in the poker boom. I can't thank David, and also Mason, enough for their significant contributions to the poker community at large.

Rest In Peace Mr. Sklansky.

I read and have several of your books.

Bye

RIP to the man.
Does this mean I can finally cash in all these Sklansky Bucks?

Whatever your thoughts are of the man he was the OG of 2p2 a site that obviously has meant a lot to all of us over the years.

That's like everyone nowadays.

Was Sklansky on Razz the first link in this chain?

I guess I need to say something. First, thanks to all the people who reached out to me personally. I truly appreciate it.

As far as David, he was a mixed bag. I guess whatever you thought of him, I agree. He wasn't as bad as some of you think. He certainly wasn't as wonderful as he believed. So I say mourn his loss or celebrate it.

I shall do both.

Condolences for you loss Mat. And wise words for all.

Guess this is the other side of the mixed bag.
I notice other sensible posts about that side of DS are deleted again.
Perhaps mods shouldnt delete every post that isnt adoring Theory of poker but is more critical. His legacy isnt one-sided and removing reasonable posts on the topic wont change this.
Especially when Mat himself says "mourn his loss or celebrate it". Although I wont suggest anyone to celebrate it, being truthful isnt the problem.

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Edit/MH: Conventional content for "Rest In Peace" forum threads focuses on providing comfort, respect, and shared memory, usually keeping messages short and heartfelt. The goal is to honour the deceased and support grieving family members. Disrespectful posts in this thread are likely to be deleted.

I'm sorry for your loss. Best wishes to you and your family

The books and the years of discussion in SMP will always be very much appreciated

RIP

I probably wouldn't have been friends with him, but I respect what he achieved, and as others have said, 2+2 definitely changed my life. If nothing else, I think we can all agree the poker world is a little less interesting without him in it.

My condolences and RIP!

RIP sklansky. guess i should finally finish reading TOP now

I might have had to find a real job, had I not picked up Small Stakes Holdem by him ages ago. RIP David Sklansky!

RIP

I wish I had gotten to meet him.

"De mortuis nil nisi bene" on English "Of the dead, say nothing but good", people figured that out 600 BC. Light and shadow always stand in the same time in front of the door, let's honor the light. Respect the mourners, whatever unsettled **** you have had with DS, it's gone!

I love this response so much!

I have to give David credit for my entire career in poker. While I learned more about the game from many sources, he was the OG source for my success.

In 1995 I was a new lawyer in Chicago. Prior to that, I had attended law school at the U. of Minnesota. Rather than a typical student job to make extra money, I was a card counter at the relatively new tribal casinos in the area. When I moved to Chicago, I figured on continuing to count cards at the local riverboat casinos. However, their rules were such that my edge wasn't worth pursuing. While looking for another BJ game, I found a poker game. It was 3-6 limit, which was the common game all over the country at the time. I knew the basic rules of poker from childhood, and playing for nickels and dimes in college. But people in this game (who were, in hindsight, all very weak players) used new terms like "pot odds" that I had never heard before. I decided to get into poker.

The next day I went to a used book store, and bought all 3 of their poker books. One was "The Education of a Poker Player". It was a fun read, and taught basic weak-tight advice on several types of poker. There was also "Poker by Maverick", a short book written as if by Maverick of TV fame. It was pretty much the same weak-tight advice as the other book. And finally there was "The Theory of Poker". Now this book had some meat to it, and spoke to me and my love of math. THIS was the book that truly started me down the path to becoming a really good player. I think it is fair to say that if this used book store had not happened to have a copy of this book, my entire trajectory into poker would be completely different, and it is unlikely I would have won the Main Event in 2004, or ever.

Thanks David. You helped me a lot.

RIP. Gone, but not forgotten.