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Essays on Hold'em and General Poker Concepts
Product
Inside the Poker Mind by John Feeney, Ph.D.
Hits
- A good book on the technical and psychological aspects of poker
- Great hand evaluations highlight the differences in the thought process of a beginner and an advanced poker player in the same situation
Misses
- No poker dictionary or room for notes
- Weak index
Review
"Poker is a game of many skills, and to become an expert poker player you have to master them all." This is how author John Feeney, Ph.D., begins his discussion on the complexities of the highly competitive world of poker. Feeney's book, Inside the Poker Mind, sets itself apart from many other poker books in that it not only explains and teaches the math and odds of poker but also the psychological aspects of the game. It points out some common mistakes made by both the beginner and more experienced player, such as playing too many hands, playing sub-marginal hands, and going on tilt.
The most common problem the book addresses is the fact that even if a lot of intermediate/advanced players know all the facts, odds, statistics, and tactics involved in making a decision at the poker table, they do not apply them. Instead, they allow their feelings to interfere and cost them money by calling a folding hand or declining to bet a hand they have the best of.
At first glance, this book may seem like a tough read for a beginner player, in fact, even an experienced poker player may find it intimidating, but after reading a few pages you will quickly find it is quite the opposite; Inside the Poker Mind is actually quite an easy read. While it may not be the best example of poker strategy or psychology literature, it is a nice and unpretentious mix of both fields and contains bits of valuable information useful to every poker player. Players should buy it if they are interested in gaining insight into the psychology behind key hand decisions, and for the chance to improve the thought process involved in poker decision making.
Inside the Poker Mind consists of five main parts: (1) Technical Points; (2) General Poker Concepts; (3) Strategic Thinking in Hold'em; (4) Poker and Emotion; and (5) Miscellaneous Topics. It includes a foreword by renowned poker author and strategist, Mason Malmuth, a concluding chapter that sums up the core teachings, and an index.
This book reads 275 pages in total.
Details:
- Paperback $24.95
Two Plus Two Publishing
