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365 reviews for:
The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win
Maria Konnikova
4.0 AVERAGE
365 reviews for:
The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win
Maria Konnikova
4.0 AVERAGE
4-1/2 stars. If I had known poker terminology better (I knew nothing), the audio book would have been easier to keep up with. I listened to this book while exercising, so it wasn't always possible to look up poker slang. Despite this, it was an interesting and insightful book, watching a novice poker player battle her emotions as she studied chance and skill in the world of poker. I love reading books outside of my element. A fascinating book.
Konnikova, a psychologist by training, explores the intersection between the uncertainty of the poker table and the uncertainty found in everyday life ... this is probably nothing particularly new, but she does it well and I really enjoyed it.
I respect this author’s process of learning a new skill (the poker jargon was lost on me though). It’s her personal journey through the intersection of skill, chance, confidence, and luck in this ✨great hand we’ve been dealt called life✨. Entertaining.
One of the best examples of “modern” gonzo journalism (that is, gonzo without the traditional chemical enhancement), The Biggest Bluff is less a poker book than a journey into acceptance of the cards life deals you. It’s a longish text that reads quickly and is reminiscent of a New Yorker essay, fitting for the New Yorker writer who authored it.
The book is worth reading and doesn’t require any real knowledge of poker, and the author herself has none at the beginning of the narrative. However, the jargon grows quickly and isn’t always explained as clearly as it might be—especially when variations on a previously defined term occurs, which is unfortunately frequently. Certainly readers who do have a reasonably thorough knowledge of modern poker won’t be limited by this, and may be more likely to add that final star to the rating—if they can get over this book not really being about poker.
The book is worth reading and doesn’t require any real knowledge of poker, and the author herself has none at the beginning of the narrative. However, the jargon grows quickly and isn’t always explained as clearly as it might be—especially when variations on a previously defined term occurs, which is unfortunately frequently. Certainly readers who do have a reasonably thorough knowledge of modern poker won’t be limited by this, and may be more likely to add that final star to the rating—if they can get over this book not really being about poker.
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
NYT Notable Books 2020: 23/100
If you're interested in poker or psychology, this is a worthwhile read. However, as someone with little interest in either, it was not my favourite. Konnikova is personable and has a good writing style, which keeps things moving along, but I just wasn't interested in the topic at hand. It was interesting to learn about how Konnikova went from knowing nothing about poker to playing at a professional level, and I appreciated that she didn't get too bogged down in the minutiae of poker, since that would have gone way over my head. This was way outside of the sphere of anything I'd normally read, but it was fun.
If you're interested in poker or psychology, this is a worthwhile read. However, as someone with little interest in either, it was not my favourite. Konnikova is personable and has a good writing style, which keeps things moving along, but I just wasn't interested in the topic at hand. It was interesting to learn about how Konnikova went from knowing nothing about poker to playing at a professional level, and I appreciated that she didn't get too bogged down in the minutiae of poker, since that would have gone way over my head. This was way outside of the sphere of anything I'd normally read, but it was fun.
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Rating mostly based on content
Not quite my style, but interesting. It's a nice story, certainly, but most of the book relies on a self-help-like narration rather than a truly engaging narrative or on a purely informative text. I guess that's why it took me so long.
Apart from my literary issues, the content is great if you're into poker or if you want to work on your poker path. Good insights on the psychological background behind the poker mind as seen from a poker player. Also, plenty of good references.
Not quite my style, but interesting. It's a nice story, certainly, but most of the book relies on a self-help-like narration rather than a truly engaging narrative or on a purely informative text. I guess that's why it took me so long.
Apart from my literary issues, the content is great if you're into poker or if you want to work on your poker path. Good insights on the psychological background behind the poker mind as seen from a poker player. Also, plenty of good references.
An interesting perspective on trying something new (poker) and being open to how something new can change life.
This book was on the bubble for five stars! With a bit more luck (perhaps more sleep, less sleep, or greater emotional vulnerability due to too much rainy weather or forest fires that I didn't experience) it would have made it.
Maria shows that you can learn new things, and that's always a good reminder.
Maria shows that you can learn new things, and that's always a good reminder.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced