What is the first thought that comes to mind when you hear these words - tactics, strategy, operations, logistics, manpower, maneuvering? War, right? These terms, however, are also prominent in the worlds of business, politics, and even poker, especially tournament poker.
Indeed, some of history's great warlords, generals and combatants have handed down military teachings that are of compelling value not only to those on the field of battle; but also to those in the corporate boardroom, along the campaign trail, or around a tournament poker table.
In fact, the art and science of war is every bit as applicable to the conduct of a military engagement, as it is to a nine-person sit n go poker tournament - which is, basically, a little war, fought to the death, until only one is left standing.
The tournament poker table is nothing less than a theatre of war. It is host to a complex battle of wits, and the skilled deployment and maneuvering of manpower (chips). Within which, several opposing armies (opponents) fight until, one by one, each but one, is completely destroyed.
It is a place where every combatant is arbitrarily, unequally, and unfairly subjected to either fortuitous good fortune (the suck-out donkey) or grave misfortune (the big hand that lost the big pot), and sometimes both. Nevertheless, all toil equally under the same duress of constantly changing and worsening conditions (escalating blinds).
Just as on the battlefield, in a poker tournament, you are sometimes fated to a campaign across a long open field (short stacked) against a determined enemy, who is well entrenched on the high ground (big stacked). While other times, the roles are reversed, and you are the one enjoying the high ground advantage.
Sometimes, you send out a squad of select troops on a reconnaissance mission (pre-flop minimum raise). Sometimes, you use a platoon to provoke a skirmish to test the enemy's strength of will (semi-bluff re-raise). Sometimes, you commit a division to summarily claim an important battle (pot-sized river bet). And, sometimes you attack with the full force of your entire army (push all-in) to destroy an enemy, right then and there.
Other times, you cut at the edges of the enemy, as if you were nothing more than a band of guerrilla fighters (stealing blinds). Then, there are the unpleasant times when you must retreat (fold on the turn). And, there are also the times when you appear to retreat, but only to lay an ambush (checking with a set). Just to sweeten the challenge, you and your troops are always out numbered, at least when war is declared.
Alright, enough of the military metaphor. What can some of history's great practitioners of war teach us about tournament poker? Plenty. Allow me to introduce our esteemed panel:
1. Karl (Carl) von Clausewitz (1780-1831). Clausewitz's military treatise, On War
Quote attributed to Clausewitz:
"The best form of defense is attack."
Do you have any doubt that Clausewitz would have fully appreciated the importance of aggression in tournament poker? In tournament poker, aggression (attack) always favors the aggressor.
2. Sun-Tzu (c. 722-481 BCE). There is debate as to whether Sun-Tzu actually existed or not. But, that is not an important matter. The important matter is that the book, The Art of War
Sun-Tzu in Art of War:
"So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak."
Throughout a tournament, and especially when in bubble play, there is no better strategy than to avoid the strong (bigger stacks) and attack the weak (smaller stacks). David Apostolico has written an entire book around Sun-Tzu's strategies - Tournament Poker And The Art Of War
3. Cao Cao (155-220). Cao Cao, a Chinese military genius, was so bad (good at what he did) his character has survived the ages to become a prominent popular figure. Cao Cao is the title track and name of the album by Lin Jun Jie, released in 2006. Dynasty Warriors, and several other video games feature his character. His character appears in the 2008 movie, Red Cliff. In the collectible card game Magic the Gathering there is a card named Cao Cao, Lord of Wei. And, his life is documented in the historical novel, Three Kingdoms Romance 
Attributed to Cao Cao:
"When the enemy attacks me, he becomes vulnerable."
Think about this quote. It is possibly the most insightful and instructive of the quotes in this article. For some of us, it could represent a sea change in our attitude towards an aggressive opponent. The quote is not about perceiving ourselves as stronger, and thus being able to punish an aggressive opponent. Instead, the concept to embrace is that every aggressor makes themselves vulnerable.
4. Yamamoto Tsunetomo (1659-1719). As depicted in his book, Hagakure: The Book of the Samurai
Tsunetomo in Hagakure:
"In the words of the ancients, one should make his decisions within the space of seven breaths."
Indecision, and its cousin, lack of self confidence, are the antithesis of the Way of the Samurai, and are worthless traits for the tournament player, too. Learn to become purposeful at the tournament table. As you learn to act decisively, your confidence and courage will grow, because you will not have given self-doubt even a small chance.
So, how do we win the sit n go war?
By learning from these, and the many other of history's military geniuses - they all understood and were committed to their calling, they could calculate and take warranted risk, they could recognize and exploit weakness, they could plan strategically and execute tactically, and they always exercised discipline, patience and good judgment.
You do not have to be a genius to recognize the importance of these skills. They define success in many professions, including tournament poker. You just have to want to acquire them.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
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