Unmet Needs in the Landscape of Pivotal Poker Literature

6 min. read
chips
Lee Davy
By Lee Davy

Lee Davy examines the information collected throughout the Most Influential Poker Books project to highlight the potential gap landscape for opportunities that can be addressed by our plethora of brilliant minds.

Discover the top poker literature categorized for easier navigation:

Ralph Waldo Emerson famously stated, \"When we meet a person of exceptional intellect, it's wise to inquire about the books they cherish.\"

So I did.

Taking Emerson's wisdom to heart, I reached out through social media and email to 133 of poker's brightest minds to learn about their most impactful books on the game. Out of these, 36 individuals either overlooked my request or missed the message altogether; 11 promised responses but fell silent, and four humorously redirected my inquiry to the cost of fish.

Among the typical responses I received from those players unable to oblige was:

“I am sorry, but I have never read a poker book in my life.”

A striking 18% of the professionals I contacted confessed to never having read any poker literature, despite the fact they have earned millions through both online and live competitions.

Peter Costa, a former champion of Late Night Poker and Aussie Millions, offered intriguing thoughts on why poker books didn’t contribute to his eventual acclaim:

"A sponsor once asked me about the books I had read. When I said none, he replied that it was for the best—reading could ruin your game.\"

How did these skilled players master their craft without the aid of poker literature? The predominant answer to my follow-up question was the availability of online instructional videos, leading me to suspect that a more seasoned demographic would yield a different selection of influential poker texts.

Among the professionals surveyed, Phil Galfond's RunItOnce emerged as the most frequently recommended online training resource.

Another prominent method of learning cited by my respondents involved extensive gameplay, observing others, and strategic discussions with more experienced players.

"I never picked up a poker book,\" recalled Roberto Romanello, who won EPT and WPT titles. \"However, I vividly remember my initial experiences playing throughout U.K. Festivals. After being eliminated, I would stay to watch the final table, keenly observing how the top players performed. This helped me gain an edge for our future encounters at festivals. I was always on the lookout for live tells as well.\"

"I acquired all my knowledge through experience,\" stated Jason Wheeler, known from the Global Poker League (GPL).

We Need More Updated Content

The classic Harrington on Hold 'em, Expert Strategy for No-Limit Tournaments; Volume I: Strategic Play by Dan Harrington and Bill Robertie ranks as one of the most vital poker books, despite being published over ten years ago. Doyle Brunson's Super System, penned nearly 40 years back, is another favorite.

With foundational concepts introduced by experts like Dan Harrington, Doyle Brunson, David Sklansky (Theory of Poker), and Bill Chen & Jerrod Ankenman (Mathematics of Poker), the extensive catalog of online resources urgently calls for fresh theories.

The most recently published work that made a notable impact was Moorman’s Book of Poker by Byron Jacobs, which came out in 2014. However, by the time the leading online tournament player shared his insights, it might have been considered overdue.

"I suspect that {Moorman's Book of Poker} would have ranked higher on my list had it come out five years earlier,\" stated Dominik Nitsche, ambassador for 888poker.

There are countless extraordinarily gifted poker players of the contemporary era whose strategy books I would eagerly anticipate. I am convinced that the evergreen classics can be revitalized with today's insights. Sadly, in the realm of poker, the traditional poker book may be losing its effectiveness as a learning medium. Platforms like Twitch and online instructional resources have transformed the education process into something more vibrant and immediate.

Or Maybe Not?

A topic that has seen little coverage until recent times, yet fits seamlessly into book format, involves the aspects of health and wellness pertaining to life beyond the poker table. Most of the older texts focused heavily on game strategies, with only a couple touching on 'tells'. However, the professional poker landscape has begun embracing a more holistic approach.

As the margins grow slimmer, the well-being of Person A will prevail over Person B when both possess equal intelligence and skill. Prioritizing health and mental clarity lays a robust groundwork for a flourishing poker career.

The Mental Game of Poker: Proven Strategies for Improving Tilt Control, Confidence, Motivation, Coping with Variance, and More by Jared Tendler and Barry Carter is regarded as the fifth most important poker book. Its sequel also made a notable mark, landing at number 36.

Elements of Poker by Tommy Angelo secured the 15th position for influence, with only four other books topping its initial votes.thWhen I consider players who invest substantial time and effort into their mental and physical well-being, Andrew Lichtenberger immediately comes to mind. His publication, The Yoga of Poker, was recognized as the 22nd most impactful.

If a professional poker player feels compelled to pen a book, I see immense potential for exploration in the realm of health, well-being, and mental resilience, as players seek valuable insights.ndmost influential.

As I conversed with more poker players, it became increasingly clear that they enjoy compelling narratives. Titles such as Big Deal: One Year as a Professional Poker Player by Anthony Holden, The Biggest Game in Town by Al Alvarez, For Richer For Poorer: Confessions of a Poker Player by Victoria Coren, Positively Fifth Street by James McManus, and The Education of a Poker Player by Herbert O. Yardley consistently received recognition from judges.

What’s Your Story?

While I may not be particularly fond of biographies authored by young individuals with little life experience, I have a deep appreciation for memoirs. Just imagine the captivating stories that figures like Tom Dwan and Sam Trickett could share!

Forget about Moorman's Book of Poker; I would much rather dive into Moorman's Book of Life .

Another area that remains underexplored is the Reality TV-style, hand-by-hand tournament breakdown perfected by Gus Hansen in Every Hand Revealed. His account of his success at the 2007 Aussie Millions was hailed as the third most influential poker book ever. It seems that it's high time for players to reevaluate their strategies at the tables.

Begin documenting all your hands with the ambition of transforming them into a best-selling publication. This way, you can distill everything you've learned and reflect on the lessons from potentially losing significant sums while exploring your limits in the largest online games internationally.

Stop tweeting. Stop Facebooking.

Evaluating the Most Impactful Poker Literature

About the Author See all Lee Davy Articles
Lee Davy
Lee Davy
888poker-EGR-logo-Mobile-Header-2021-white