1. The document discusses how concepts from Sun Tzu's The Art of War can be applied to poker strategy and decision making. It outlines seven principles from The Art of War and how they relate to poker, including use of resources, attack by stratagem, intelligence, terrain, and deception. 2. Five dangerous faults in a general are identified that can also lead to downfall for a poker player: recklessness, cowardice, a hasty temper, delicacy of honor, and over-solicitude for their chips. 3. Computing many factors before entering a hand is compared to foretelling triumph in battle, while only considering a few factors is likened to being defeated.

1. THE ART OF WAR IN POKER Using the ancient concepts of Sun Tzu in the modern poker game

3. 5 Fundamentals of Strategy Those who understand these fundamentals will win. Those who don’t, will be defeated Sun Tzu

6. Strategy To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself - Sun Tzu In Poker most of your gains will be as a result of a mistake by your opponent and not your brilliant play

7. Strategy Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

8. Strategy . Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy But does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him - Sun Tzu In poker this is fundamentally the difference between a call and a raise

9. Strategy Entice opponent with bait of small gains. Be vigilant when opponent is alert. Retreat temporarily when opponent is strong - Sun Tzu In Poker, Fold to strength. Bluff to weakness

10. He who wishes to fight must first count the cost Sun Tzu Poker is about risk vs reward Use of Resources

11. Reward must outweigh Risk Risk Reward

12. Poker vs Gambling Gamblers place bets when the odds are against them A poker player will bet when the odds are in his favour

13. Use of Resources One unit of opponent supplies: Is worth 20 units of your own Sun Tzu Consider the value of your chips in front of YOU, rather than added to an opponents chipstack

14. Attack By Stratagem Those who are skilled in executing strategy, ensure victory without fighting. The best plan is to win by strategy. Sun Tzu

16. The 5 Winning ways 2. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces - Sun Tzu Knowing how and when to play the suited connectors or laying down a big hand like AK.

17. The 5 Winning ways 3. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks Sun Tzu This translates to motivation. A poker Player must be at the table 100%. Motivated and observant for the entire time

18. The 5 Winning ways 4. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared Sun Tzu Poker is all about deception and guile.

19. The 5 Winning ways 5. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign Sun Tzu The poker player too, has interference, not from a sovereign but by emotions. Don’t let the heart interfere with the head

22. Intelligence - Information The work of intelligence cannot succeed without subtlety and ingenuity. Therefore, subtly, very subtly, the use of intelligence must not be neglected. Sun Tzu In poker too subtelty and ingenuity applies in the use of gathering and using intelligence (information)

23. Intelligence - Information Only a wise ruler and brilliant leaders who are able to conduct intelligence with superiority and cleverness, are certain to achieve great results. Sun Tzu

24. Intelligence - Information A commander who does not want to buy information is not a good leader. Hence, can never win in battles. Sun Tzu Sometimes, in poker, you have to bet to get the information you need

26. Terrain Terrain can help put one's army in an advantageous position. But it is superior commanders that puts the advantage to good use by calculating the distance or proximity of dangers and obstructions – Sun Tzu

27. The Poker Battlefield Understanding the nuances of terrain in poker

28. Terrain Six type of position terrain Must be studied carefully and understood well by all commanders Sun Tzu In Poker we reduce this to four

34. Deception All warfare is based on deception. Sun Tzu

37. Sun Tzu identified 5 dangerous faults which could lead to a generals downfall. It is as applicable to a Poker player 5 Dangerous Faults

39. 2. Cowardice, which leads to capture In poker parlance - losing your nerve or fear of betting 5 Dangerous Faults

40. 3. A hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults In poker parlance – Prone to steaming or going on tilt. Letting the actions of others “Get” to you 5 Dangerous Faults

41. 4. A delicacy of honour which is sensitive to shame There is a moral code in poker but it bears no relevance to morality in society. Lies and deceit are tools of the trade for a poker player 5 Dangerous Faults

42. 5. Over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble In Poker our men are our chips. You have to send them out to do battle. 5 Dangerous Faults

43. Foretelling Triumph Those who will win, compute a great number of factors before a challenge. Those who are defeated, compute a small number of factors before a challenge. Sun Tzu

44. In Poker Foretelling Triumph Each hand is a challenge. Take into account all the factors before deciding to enter the hand. Enter only the challenges that favour you. In the longer term you should be victorious over those who do not compute all the factors

45. A final thought (apply to you and poker) The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. Sun Tzu