31 Jan 2026 Beginner This material is for beginner players Authorities on Thursday arrested renowned poker author David Sklansky on domestic battery allegations. News reports indicate that the police apprehended Sklansky on January 29th. Law enforcement officials have not issued a statement regarding the circumstances that led to his arrest. The Las Vegas Detention Centre reports that they took the 78-year-old poker author into custody earlier that day. Court records show that Sklansky was scheduled to have his first hearing at 1:30 p.m., and his bail was set at $3,000. The authorities said they couldn't provide any more information about the arrest because the investigation is still ongoing. A Legendary Career in Poker His book "The Theory of Poker", published in 1987, changed how people play and think about the game. Even after many years, many people still consider it the best poker strategy book ever. It's often brought up in the same breath as Doyle Brunson's Super/System 2, which is also one of the most important and best-selling poker books of all time. Sklansky has written 14 books on poker and gambling theory throughout his career. He was known as "The Mathematician" because his work made people use maths to understand the game. Before solvers and data tools became popular, Sklansky showed players how to make decisions based on logic, odds, and long-term value. Tournament Success and Life at the Tables Sklansky was not only a great author but also a talented poker player. According to Hendon Mob, he won three World Series of Poker bracelets in 1982 and 1983 and has made about $1.4 million in live tournament winnings. Sklansky did play in tournaments, but his real love was cash games, especially mixed games. Even in the last few years, he was still a familiar face in Las Vegas card rooms. He also appeared on several televised poker shows during the 2000s poker boom, including Poker Superstars on Fox Sports Net. Legal Situation Still Developing What could be the punishment? It will depend on how the case goes. Most of the time, a first offence for domestic battery in Nevada is a misdemeanour. If someone is found guilty, they might have to pay a fine of $200 to $1,000, attend counseling, perform community service, and have their jail time suspended. But sometimes the charge can be changed to a crime. There is still an investigation going on, and the police haven't said anything else. Many poker players are keeping a close eye on developments until they hear more.
