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Thought-provoking books that will make you a better decision-maker

Ever heard of Canadian poker player Daniel Negreanu? Having won six World Series of Poker bracelets and two World Poker Tour championship titles, he is one of the highest earning Canadian gamblers out there. But have you ever wondered how poker players like him pull it off? Well, it all comes down to mindset and decision-making.

On this book list you will therefore find books that each deal with topics related to the mysterious nature of gambling. Some do so directly by focusing on the essence of the game, others are about the psychological forces surrounding it.

Table of Contents

The Biggest Bluff by Maria Konnikova

The story about Maria’s journey is just as thrilling as the theories she has developed about gambling. She was never meant to play poker. As a psychology Ph.D. student, who had experienced her fair share of bad luck, she simply turned to game theory to try to understand the nature of luck. What can we control? And what simply comes down to chance? What she discovered was promising – namely that skill sometimes is enough. If you want to get a better understanding of what it means to gamble, you can look at Canadas biggest casinos guide, where you find bonuses and free spins.

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Here’s one for the mind. In a similar way to Maria Konnikova, Kahneman is also concerned with psychology and how human beings act, but he does so from a broader perspective. Rather than focusing on a specific activity, like poker, he dives into how we think and when (and if) we should trust our intuition. We hear about cognitive bias and how this, unknowingly, affects all aspects of our lives. All highly relevant lessons for anyone wanting to become a better decision-maker.

Life’s a Gamble by Mike Sexton

Late Mike was a poker legend, who was often referred to as the “ambassador of poker”. CNN describes him as a real advocate for the game and if you read his bestselling poker book, it’s easy to see why. Here Mike takes the reader on a thrilling ride spanning decades. You get to meet unusual poker characters, learn more about the nature of the game, the business side of it all and his life overall. For what’s interesting about Mike Sexton is how long his poker career has spanned for. While many cash in for a few years and get out, he has stayed the course. So how did he do it?

Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke
The thing about decision-making is that there are always going to be elements we can’t control. Information is hidden. And sometimes we have rotten luck. Annie Duke, a former poker champion, dives into these very issues and shares her insights to teach you how to overcome uncertainty and make smart decisions. Her advice is not just for those enjoying gambling and betting – it’s for anyone wanting to get better at taking chances and making decisions in life. Not only will it help you in your personal life, but it will also make a big difference to your career too.

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