Fundamental Poker Theory Explained

What Is the Fundamental Theory in Poker?

The fundamental poker theory asserts that you must make decisions at a poker table as if you could see your opponent’s cards. It emphasizes the importance of getting a read on your opponent and understanding their ranges.

I will quote the first part of the theory directly from the book and then provide an interpretation:

“Every time you play a hand differently from the way you would have played it if you could see all your opponents’ cards, they gain; and every time you play your hand the same way you would have played it if you could see all their cards, they lose.”

Based on the belief that you can see your opponents’ cards, this part implies that you should always make mathematically sound decisions:

1. Bet or raise if you have a strong hand.
2. Fold if you have a weak hand.
3. Bluff-raise if your marginal hand is slightly better than your opponent’s.

While you can’t see your opponent’s hands, you can make an educated guess by reading body language and narrowing down their ranges.

The second part of the theorem mirrors the first part but from a different perspective:

“Every time opponents play their hands differently from the way they would have if they could see all your cards, you gain; and every time they play their hands the same way they would have played if they could see all your cards, you lose.”

This part highlights the importance of bluffing and preventing opponents from getting a read on you. It suggests mixing things up, using different patterns at the table, and using versatile ranges across the board.