The sub-title for Dr. Schoonmaker's book is, Master the Mental Game. This being the genre of poker book most deficit, I was immediately drawn to, Your Worst Poker Enemy, Schoonmaker's second book. For mastering the mental aspect of the game of poker, I believe it to be one of, if not the most thorough and insightful book available.
Schoonmaker's book is overflowing with sound advice for those whose games are hurting. And, for those whose poker lives are hurting, as well. There are some of us who need to back away from poker for awhile, or forever.
Do not misunderstand. This is not a sappy text. The Dr. is also an experienced, savvy poker player. Who, on page 191, has written what I regard as the best animal kingdom analogy in all of pokerdom: "Successful predators attack only when they have an edge, and their first rule is attack the weak."
If you have ever watched any of the Serengeti Plain documentaries, you understand. Recall how the big cats stalk endlessly. Searching only for the weakest victim. Always conserving their energy until the precise, most opportune moment to strike. Then avoiding any danger to themselves. Even if it means giving up the chase. The parallels for No Limit Hold'em are uncannily similar. As the Dr. says, poker is a brutal game.
There are an abundance of poker strategy books available. A player could read and master every one, but still fall far short of winning expectations. This is because poker is a mental sport. Until a player masters the other aspect of the game, the mental game, his play can be haunted by lack of self-control and other demons of the mind.
This is the value of Schoonmaker's contribution: providing information to enable players to function to the fullest of their potential.
See more books by Alan N. Schoonmaker and books about achieving self-control located bottom of this page. And, before you place a book order, look at the Free Offers page.
R. Steve McCollum
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Order these books from Amazon.com. You can be certain of amazingly low prices, oftentimes free shipping, and really fast service.
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Copyright 2009 R. Steve McCollum
