I was reading former National Chess and World Tai Chi champ Josh Waitzkin's, 'The Art of Learning' the other day and realized that the principles he discusses would be great to apply to my (currently fishy) poker game. Mostly these relate to areas that would help keep tilt under control (which I desparately need help with) and maintain focus at critical times. As an example, Josh's discovery that being 'on' 100% of the time hurt his chess game long-term was an eye opener for me.

I also find that my play is better for a period after I've been reading genuinely difficult material, regardless of the material's subject matter. I'm sure this has something to do with the need to lift my thought process a little higher in reading tougher stuff and that the improved mental acuity carries over into my game.

Has anyone had any other instances where non-poker books/reading have helped (or could help) their poker play?

Flip The Switch: 40 Anytime, Anywhere Meditations in 5 Minutes or Less by Eric Harrison.

This book has help me with tilt and focus issues. It's been a great help getting me to focus on the table and prevent me from making emotion driven decisions. Best of all, the meditation techniques don't require you to sit under a bodhi tree and meditate for hours every day. Like the title says, they take less than 5 minutes (many just a few seconds).

The Art of War - Sun Tzu

Poker and Philosophy (not a poker strategy book, which is what I assume the OP means by "non-poker" book. but it really made me think about a lot of poker situations in different ways).

"Emotions Revealed" by Paul Ekman

I haven't tried reading difficult material before playing, but I too find that I play better, especially live, if I read something beforehand. This could be a poker magazine, or non-poker material. But I definitely play better after reading something. Maybe it just warms my mind up.

obv a bots reference

"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" by Hunter S. Thompson

It teaches a great deal about self control and not making any quick decisions without first properly considering all the variables.

I wonder how useful the book Blink would be. I have not read it, but this is a book that teaches you to go with your first instict.

My first instinct was not to read or buy it...i think that has proved very useful

I've read the book and not sure if it would be useful. It is a great book with lots of insights but it doesn't really teach you to use the skill, it only discusses how the skill is used by people.

I suppose if you are a very experienced player, you can go with your instincts by noting tells that you are not consciously aware of.

lol priceless post.

bump I like this thread maybe with a bump a few others will post some other good suggestions.

Tx. I've been looking for a good book on meditation to help with my game. The first few pages on amazon mentioned that meditation is the opposite of the flight/fight response. Could come in handy for hiding tells during big hands?



.Z

Excellent book. While I was reading it I kept wondering what Ekman would have said if he saw Navarro's book. Probably "hey that guy stole all my research data".

"Unmasking the Face" also by Paul Ekman

Great for live games, won't help you online.

nice. i have almost bought this book at least twice. guess i should.

joking aside, Blink by Malcolm Gladwell and the idea of thin-slicing is useful.

also:
Fooled By Randomness & The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

i am sure i have others on my book shelf at home but can't recall them at the moment.

" Green Eggs and Ham " by Dr. Zeus

I got Influence, and have read about half of it. I had a hard time deciding how it might apply to poker. Maybe it was more useful in the second half? It's also equally likely that I just wasn't being clever enough to extend his conclusions to cards.

Dr. Zeus. That's an awesomely funny visual.

Well done. I've always kept Ekman's work under my hat. I had you figured to be the type to think outside the box. This confirms it.

"Art of War" Sun Tzu
"Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun" can't remember the author but it was NOT Attila the Hun!
"Salvation & Godly Rule" by Rousas Rushdoony.

Zen in the Martial Arts - Joe Hyams

The book has some great Bruce Lee wisdom, the author was a student of his.

A previously mentioned must-read:

Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion by Robert B. Cialdini

By golly did I hear tunder in da sky above

48 Laws of Power - Robert Greene
The Art of Happiness - The Dalai Lama