Every month here on Reading and Stuff we’ll cover a few books, starting with whatever publishers send us (hint – send more free books) and anything new on the bookshelves that relates to poker. This month we’ll be taking a look at our favorite books that relate to poker on the fringes. Reading math and strategy all day gets boring, and when you need a break from those dry tomes full of starting hand charts you can take a break with the books we review below.
Our Rating System
-
- This book is terrible. If you own a copy you should give it to your worst enemy in hopes that they will read it and suffer a tremendous drop in both IQ and personal fulfillment. Jack high can’t even beat a bluff.
- Not great, but it has it’s moments. Sometimes Ace-high wins, but don’t pay much to find out.
- It definitely has merit, though there might be something better on the market. It’s just one pair after all.
- An excellent book that is likely to entertain you, make you more money, or both. Top set usually wins.
- Our highest ranking. A must have for any poker player. It’s tough to beat quads!
Let’s get started with our first installment of Reading and Stuff!
Against the Gods
Peter L. Bernstein does a great job covering the history of gambling and statistics and helps us understand how so many things start with simple statistics. If yo u want to know why your insurance rates go up when you get a speeding ticket or how they determine the average lifespan of different groups of people, Bernstein has it covered. Starting hundreds of years ago and relating everything to it’s effects on the modern world, Against the Gods is a complete treatise on the subject. If you aren’t interested in the math and game theory side of things then this might be a little much for you, and it’s a very thick book, but it’s well written and even a little interest in learning how things really work will propel you through to the end. 3 out 4 aces.
Buy Against the Gods: The Remarkable Story of Risk at Amazon.com
DUCY?
The latest book from two plus two math wizard David Sklansky and gambling psychology expert Dr. Alan Schoonmaker, DUCY? covers a huge range of topics and offers some fascinating insight into the mind of one of gambling greatest thinkers. Schoonmaker does an excellent job of making Sklansky easy to read, and compared to Sklansky’s usual dry approach, this book is a walk in the park. While many of the concepts apply to all sorts of gambling, there isn’t much poker strategy because this book isn’t about poker, it’s about thinking. DUCY? (pronounced Do You See Why?) is a great primer on thinking outside the box, and it’s fun and easy to read. Some stories about old Vegas, the gambling industry, and how things really work inside big casinos help the book flow nicely. 4 out of 4 aces.
Chance
This is a lean and concise guide to chance and risk. The math is simplified and understanding complex mathematics is not required to grasp the fundamental concepts that author Amir d. Aczel presents in this quick guide to taking chances. In everything from relationships to business, Chance gives us a way to understand and internalize the risks we are taking. Knowing how randomness works may even take a little of the sting out of those bad beats you took on Sunday afternoon. 3 out of 4 aces.
Don’t forget to buy the greatest book ever – No Limits: The Fundamentals of No Limit Holdem directly from our website.
