A Schoonmaker POP Error: Strategy or Not?

[QuadNines]

When it comes to strategy, Schoonmaker often gets it wrong in THE
PSYCHOLOGY OF POKER (POP). Part of the problem is that his
understanding of strategy isn't very strong.

Dr. Schoonmaker does not claim to be an expert on
poker theory or strategy. In fact, he explicitly
admits that he is a psychologist, not a strategy
expert. (Mason Malmuth in "Foreword," p. x.)

Poker strategy often seems to confuse Schoonmaker at a very
fundamental level. For instance, he doesn't even know whether his
book offers strategic advice. At times, he (and Malmuth) doesn't
believe it does:

You cannot win at poker without understanding and
applying the odds and basic strategies, and this
book does *not* attempt to teach them. (P. 40.)

This book will *not* provide instructions on
strategy. That's the job of my colleagues at Two
Plus Two and other poker writers. (P. 8.)

Instead of providing advice on strategy,
[Schoonmaker] refers you to the specific pages of
our own or other author's books that provide
strategic advice *you* need . . . (Malmuth, p. x.)

At other times, Schoonmaker acknowledges that POP does provide
strategic advice:

Your local [tennis] pro will watch the way you
play, then tell you how to improve both your
strokes and your strategy. This book will do
exactly the same thing for your poker. (P. 2.)

Furthermore, David Sklansky's name appears on the book as "Strategy
Consultant."

POP offers plenty of strategic advice, from table selection to seat
selection to adjusting your strategy in different types of games.

Schoonmaker's strategic advice contains errors, despite Sklansky's
consulting and Malmuth's editing. I've mentioned some of these
mistakes in previous posts. More examples are forthcoming.

Up next: "Pot Odds."