How to use the card deck for strategy planning Games to play with the card deck  Robert Cantrell, the author, is a professional strategist and a client of Atchity Editorial/Entertainment International     Study Guide for Students of Sun Tzu How to tie the Art of War Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck with the companion book Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War The 54 strategies found within the Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck are a mix of both historical and modern strategic concepts supported or derived from Sun Tzu on the Art of War.  The 54 strategies, with a couple of exceptions, do not quote Sun Tzu directly, but instead represent useful derivatives of Sun Tzu’s ideas that you can immediately put to use. The following list of correlations is for those people – students, instructors, or otherwise – who would like to further reflect on the ideas presented in the 54 strategies on the cards and match them up with specific Sun Tzu verses.  The list below provides links for discussion and contemplation between Sun Tzu on the Art of War and the 54 strategies in the Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck.  The numerical reference in the right side of the list refers to the numbering of verses used in both the original Lionel Giles translation and the edited Lionel Giles translation found within the book Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War.  The cards and suites on the left side of the list refer to the strategies in the Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck. The Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck and the book Understanding Sun Tzu on the Art of War work together to present a complete package for both students and trainers of Sun Tzu's ideas.  Card and Book Correlations Includes Book to Cards and Cards to Book 1. Book to Cards SUN TZU ON THE ART OF WAR       Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck Index to the original Art of War The following text links the Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck to the Art of War.  Each playing card in the Art of War: Sun Tzu Strategy Card Deck represents a derivative of several ideas presented in Sun Tzu on the Art of War.  The purpose of the cards is to offer ways to put Sun Tzu's ideas into actual practice.  The following text of the Art of War links Sun Tzu's ideas to cards that commonly, but not exclusively, provide actions by which to carry those ideas out or take advantage of their effect I. LAYING PLANS                      1. Sun Tzu said:  The art of war is of vital importance  to the State. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;   2. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin.  Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;   3. The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.   4. These are:  (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.   5,6. The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him  regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger.   7. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.   8. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death.   9. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerely, benevolence, courage and strictness.   10. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the  control of military expenditure.   11. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.   12. Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise:-- Jack of Clubs;   13. (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law?     (2) Which of the two generals has most ability?     (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven         and Earth?     (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced?     (5) Which army is stronger?     (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained?     (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? Jack of Clubs;   14. By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat. Jack of Clubs;   15. The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer:  let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:--let such a one be dismissed! Ace of Spades; Ace of Clubs;   16. While heading the profit of my counsel,  avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. All especially Ace of Spades; King of Spades; Jack of Spades; 10 of Spades; 8 of Spades; 6 of Spades; 5 of Spades; 4 of Spades; 2 of Spades; Queen of Diamonds; 2 of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; King of Clubs; 9 of Clubs; 7 of Clubs; Jack of Hearts; 2 of Hearts;   17. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans. 6 of Spades; 2 of Spades; 2 of Diamonds; 9 of Clubs; Jack of Hearts;   18. All warfare is based on deception. 10 of Diamonds; Queen of Hearts;   19. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. 10 of Diamonds; 6 of Clubs; 5 of Clubs; Queen of Hearts;   20. Hold out baits to entice the enemy.  Feign disorder, and crush him. 6 of Diamonds;   21. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. 2 of Hearts;   22. If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.  Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. 5 of Hearts;   23. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.  If his forces are united, separate them. 9 of Spades; Ace of Diamonds;   24. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected. Jack of Spades; 6 of Clubs;   25. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.   26. Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.  Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all!  It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.   II. WAGING WAR                         1. Sun Tzu said:  In the operations of war,     where there are in the field a thousand swift chariots,     as many heavy chariots, and a hundred thousand     mail-clad soldiers, with provisions enough to carry them     a thousand li, the expenditure at home and at the front,     including entertainment of guests, small items such as     glue and paint, and sums spent on chariots and armor,     will reach the total of a thousand ounces of silver per day.     Such is the cost of raising an army of 100,000 men.   2. When you engage in actual fighting, if victory     is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and     their ardor will be damped.  If you lay siege to a town,     you will exhaust your strength. 2 of Clubs;   3. Again, if the campaign is protracted, the resources     of the State will not be equal to the strain. 2 of Clubs;   4. Now, when your weapons are dulled, your ardor damped,     your strength exhausted and your treasure spent,     other chieftains will spring up to take advantage     of your extremity.  Then no man, however wise,     will be able to avert the consequences that must ensue. 2 of Clubs;   5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war,     cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.   6. There is no instance of a country having benefited     from prolonged warfare. Queen of Clubs; 2 of Clubs; 2 of Hearts;   7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted     with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand     the profitable way of carrying it on.   8. The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy,     neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.   9. Bring war material with you from home, but forage     on the enemy.  Thus the army will have food enough     for its needs.   10. Poverty of the State exchequer causes an army     to be maintained by contributions from a distance.     Contributing to maintain an army at a distance causes     the people to be impoverished.   11. On the other hand, the proximity of an army causes     prices to go up; and high prices cause the people's     substance to be drained away. 9 of Spades; Queen of Diamonds;   12. When their substance is drained away, the peasantry     will be afflicted by heavy exactions.   13,14. With this loss of substance and exhaustion     of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare,     and three-tenths of their income will be dissipated;     while government expenses for broken chariots, worn-out horses,     breast-plates and helmets, bows and arrows, spears and shields,     protective mantles, draught-oxen and heavy wagons,     will amount to four-tenths of its total revenue. Queen of Diamonds;   15. Hence a wise general makes a point of foraging     on the enemy.  One cartload of the enemy's provisions     is equivalent to twenty of one's own, and likewise     a single picul of his provender is equivalent to twenty     from one's own store.   16. Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must     be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from     defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards. Ace of Spades;   17. Therefore in chariot fighting, when ten or more chariots     have been taken, those should be rewarded who took the first.     Our own flags should be substituted for those of the enemy,     and the chariots mingled and used in conjunction with ours.     The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept. Ace of Clubs;   18. This is called, using the conquered foe to augment     one's own strength. Ace of Clubs;   19. In war, then, let your great object be victory,     not lengthy campaigns.   20. Thus it may be known that the leader of armies     is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it     depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.   III. ATTACK BY STRATAGEM                         1. Sun Tzu said:  In the practical art of war, the best     thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact;     to shatter and destroy it is not so good.  So, too, it is     better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it,     to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire     than to destroy them. Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs;   2. Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles     is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists     in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. 4 of Spades; Ace of Clubs;   3. Thus the highest form of generalship is to     balk the enemy's plans; the next best is to prevent     the junction of the enemy's forces; the next in     order is to attack the enemy's army in the field;     and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities. King of Spades; 8 of Spades;   4. The rule is, not to besiege walled cities if it     can possibly be avoided.  The preparation of mantlets,     movable shelters, and various implements of war, will take     up three whole months; and the piling up of mounds over     against the walls will take three months more.   5. The general, unable to control his irritation,     will launch his men to the assault like swarming ants,     with the result that one-third of his men are slain,    while the town still remains untaken.  Such are the disastrous     effects of a siege.   6. Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's     troops without any fighting; he captures their cities     without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom     without lengthy operations in the field. 4 of Spades;   7. With his forces intact he will dispute the mastery     of the Empire, and thus, without losing a man, his triumph     will be complete.  This is the method of attacking by stratagem. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds ; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;   8. It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten     to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one,     to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army     into two. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;   9. If equally matched, we can offer battle;     if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy;     if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts; Plus 5 of Clubs; 2 of Hearts;   10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made     by a small force, in the end it must be captured     by the larger force. Queen of Spades;   11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State;     if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will     be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will     be weak. 5 Spades;   12. There are three ways in which a ruler can bring     misfortune upon his army:-- All below 9 of Clubs; 8 of Clubs; 6 of Clubs; 3 of Clubs;     13. (1) By commanding the army to advance or to retreat,     being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey.     This is called hobbling the army.   14. (2) By attempting to govern an army in the     same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant     of the conditions which obtain in an army.  This causes     restlessness in the soldier's minds.   15. (3) By employing the officers of his army     without discrimination, through ignorance of the     military principle of adaptation to circumstances.     This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.   16. But when the army is restless and distrustful,     trouble is sure to come from the other feudal princes.     This is simply bringing anarchy into the army, and flinging     victory away.   17. Thus we may know that there are five essentials     for victory: All below Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;     (1) He will win who knows when to fight and when         not to fight.     (2) He will win who knows how to handle both superior         and inferior forces.     (3) He will win whose army is animated by the same         spirit throughout all its ranks.     (4) He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take         the enemy unprepared. 10 of Clubs;     (5) He will win who has military capacity and is         not interfered with by the sovereign.   18. Hence the saying:  If you know the enemy     and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a     hundred battles.  If you know yourself but not the enemy,     for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.     If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will     succumb in every battle.   IV. TACTICAL DISPOSITIONS                      1. Sun Tzu said:  The good fighters of old first put     themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then     waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. 6 of Spades; Ace of Hearts;   2. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our     own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy     is provided by the enemy himself. 6 of Spades; 2 of Spades; 9 of Clubs; Jack of Hearts;   3. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat,     but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy. Ace of Hearts;   4. Hence the saying:  One may know how to conquer     without being able to do it. Ace of Hearts;   5. Security against defeat implies defensive tactics;     ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.   6. Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient     strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.   7. The general who is skilled in defense hides in the     most secret recesses of the earth; he who is skilled in     attack flashes forth from the topmost heights of heaven.     Thus on the one hand we have ability to protect ourselves;     on the other, a victory that is complete.   8. To see victory only when it is within the ken     of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.   9. Neither is it the acme of excellence if you fight     and conquer and the whole Empire says, "Well done!"   10. To lift an autumn hair is no sign of great strength;     to see the sun and moon is no sign of sharp sight;     to hear the noise of thunder is no sign of a quick ear.   11. What the ancients called a clever fighter is     one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease. Ace of Spades; King of Spades; Queen of Spades; 8 of Diamonds;   12. Hence his victories bring him neither reputation     for wisdom nor credit for courage.   13. He wins his battles by making no mistakes.     Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty     of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is     already defeated. King of Spades; Queen of Spades; 7 of Clubs;   14. Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into     a position which makes defeat impossible, and does     not miss the moment for defeating the enemy. Ace of Spades; Ace of Diamonds; Ace of Clubs; Ace of Hearts;   15. Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist     only seeks battle after the victory has been won,     whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights     and afterwards looks for victory. All   16. The consummate leader cultivates the moral law,     and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is     in his power to control success.   17. In respect of military method, we have,     firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity;     thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances;     fifthly, Victory.   18. Measurement owes its existence to Earth;     Estimation of quantity to Measurement; Calculation to     Estimation of quantity; Ba