Details of the Arrest Remain Unknown
On Thursday, January 29, 2026, 78-year-old Sklansky was taken into custody in Las Vegas on suspicion of domestic violence. According to records from the Las Vegas Detention Center, the author of iconic strategic poker manuals underwent his first court hearing the same day, and bail was set at $3,000 in cash..
Although the police have not provided specific details about the incident, the nature of the accusation has sparked a wave of speculation. In Nevada, domestic violence for first-time offenders is typically classified as a misdemeanor. If Sklansky were found guilty, he could face a fine of $200 to $1,000, mandatory six-month counseling, community service, and a suspended jail sentence. However, recent information suggests that the district attorney decided not to press formal charges, and Sklansky was released.
Who is David Sklansky?
For the younger generation of players, Sklansky is primarily the author of the "bible" The Theory of Poker (1978), which transformed poker from an intuitive game to one based on mathematics and logic. He earned his nickname "The Mathematician" back in the 1970s when he began promoting concepts of expected value, known today as "Sklansky Bucks."
Sklansky is also a holder of three World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelets, with tournament winnings exceeding $1.4 million. Despite his advanced age, he remains an active part of the poker scene in Las Vegas, regularly seen at mixed cash game tables.
Shadows of the Past: The Brandi Hawbaker Case
The arrest for domestic violence, however, does not come as a complete surprise to many. Sklansky's reputation has long been marred by his relationship with the young and tragically deceased player Brandi Hawbaker. This talented woman, who made a name for herself in the poker world between 2006 and 2008, became the subject of Sklansky's "mentoring" interest.
Some sources claim this relationship was deeply controversial and based on a power imbalance. As part of his mentorship, Sklansky offered Brandi poker coaching in exchange for promotional photos, which several accounts described as pornographic in nature. Sklansky admitted in his posts on the Two Plus Two forum that he made sexual advances towards her, and their relationship was based on a "quid pro quo" arrangement.
Their relationship gradually deteriorated, and the situation escalated when Brandi began threatening to reveal information about Sklansky's private life. She specifically alluded to his then-partner Sue, who suffered from physical and mental disabilities. Sklansky responded in a brutal manner.
In leaked emails, Sklansky threatened Hawbaker with violence from his acquaintances, mentioning drive-by shootings or covering her face with acid. The most chilling moment is an email sent a month before her death, in which Sklansky wrote that “suicide wouldn’t be a bad option” and promised he would stop speaking ill of her publicly if she went through with it. Brandi Hawbaker ended her life in April 2008.
The Silence of the Poker Community
Although this story was intensely discussed on forums at the time, it was largely swept under the rug in mainstream poker media, likely due to the enormous influence Sklansky and his forum wielded back then.
Today, the situation is different. New threads and comments constantly appear on the internet, deepening suspicions and sharing more testimonies about his problematic private behavior.
The recent detention of David Sklansky in Las Vegas serves as a reminder that even a brilliant mind and legendary status do not excuse toxic behavior. Although he emerged unscathed from the current allegations of domestic violence, his name remains forever linked to the story of Brandi Hawbaker and serves as a tragic reminder of what can happen when power and influence are abused in a community that turned a blind eye for too long.
Sources: Wikipedia, PokerNews, YouTube
