The Art of War (and Poker)

John Wooden

It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen. 

   It's what you learn after you know it all that counts. 

Never mistake activity for achievement. 

If you're not making mistakes, then you're not doing anything. I'm positive that a doer makes mistakes. 

Adversity is the state in which man mostly easily becomes acquainted with himself.

Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character. 

You can't let praise or criticism get to you. It's a weakness to get caught up in either one. 

Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts. 

 

Warren Buffet

Only when the tide goes out do you discover who's been swimming naked. 

Beware of geeks bearing formulas. 

It's better to hang out with people better than you. Pick out associates whose behavior is better than yours and you'll drift in that direction. 

Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.

We simply attempt to be fearful when others are greedy and to be greedy only when others are fearful. 

Bruce Lee

Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.

Know the difference between a catastrophe and an inconvenience. — To realize that it's just an inconvenience, that it is not a catastrophe, but just an unpleasantness, is part of coming into your own, part of waking up.

Don't fear failure. — Not failure, but low aim, is the crime. In great attempts it is glorious even to fail.

Don't get set into one form, adapt it and build your own, and let it grow, be like water.

 

The Art of War (and Poker) II

The Art of War is a Chinese military treatise that was written by Sun Tzu in the 6th century BC. It is said to be one of the definitive works on military strategies and tactics.

A few lines from the Art of War...

If you know your enemies and know yourself, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.  If you only know yourself, but not your opponent, you may win or may lose.

One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful. Seizing the enemy without fighting is the most skillful.

All warfare is based on deception.

When able to attack, we must seem unable...hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

If (your enemy) 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.  Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious. He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

Being unconquerable lies with yourself; being conquerable lies with your enemy.

 

The Art of War (and Poker)

Many high profile poker players say Sun Tzu's The Art of War contains everything you need to know to learn how to play winning poker. 

We agree. 

The aim of this blog is to look at other pieces of writing that might also contain truths about poker.