Clausewitz: On Poker (Clausewitz was a TA). How Today's Leaders Can Use Poker to Better Prepare Tomorrow's Warriors
Abstract
For years, many philosophers, strategists, poets, politicians, and warriors have pointed to the similarities between playing poker and combat. It isn't just military leaders who see the power that training in poker provides. Bill Gates was an avid poker player before he went on to become the world's most successful businessman. President Truman, General Eisenhower, and Secretary of War Henry Stimson played avidly during World War II. All of these men credit playing poker with aiding then in their life successes. What exactly are the similarities between poker and combat, and how can a modern commander use this information to better prepare for future wars? The similarities between poker and combat are striking. Both activities stress a type of crisis action thinking and decision making in an environment filled with uncertainty and high risk. In addition, the options a player faces on a poker table closely parallel the options a commander faces on a battlefield. Poker is a unique training aid that a commander can employ to help his troops develop essential leadership traits that they can call upon in both combat and other crisis management situations. As such, competitive poker playing should be adopted into the military training regimen in the same manner as the military Physical Training program. Why? First, poker develops crisis action thinking skills, and the environments and options a player faces at the poker table are similar to those faced in combat. The fog, uncertainty, and deception that exist on a poker table are closely mimicked in combat. Second, poker is both introspective and reflective. As such, it helps one determine how risk-averse one is as a leader and how risk-averse others perceive one to be. Third, poker -- like warfare -- is an iterative process. As the game progresses, past adversary actions, combined with current conditions, can be analyzed rapidly to determine future enemy intent.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA506368
Entities
People
- Phil A. Stewart
Organizations
- Marine Corps University