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 Poker
is a game of endless fascination because it operates on so many different
levels. In many ways poker is a numbers game, completely described by the
underlying mathematics of the deck of 52 cards used in the game. But because
it's a game played by people, poker is also infused with psychology. It's
entirely possible to find players of equal skill with vastly different win
rates that can be attributed solely to their different psychological
approaches to the game. It's no mistake that the same players make final
tables over and over or consistently crush the cash games they play; these
are the people who have the mindset necessary to thrive at poker. But how
does one achieve such a mindset? Professional poker player Charlie Shoten
has the answer in his book, No-Limit Life: you don't need to achieve
it, you need to discover that it is already within you.
For those who like to strictly categorize things, No-Limit Life is not
a poker book. At least, it's not a poker book in the traditional sense of
descriptions of strategy or mathematical analyses of the game. The main
focus of Shoten's book is on how we hold on to things that prevent us from
becoming who we really are - what Shoten calls Thought Terrorists (TTs) -
and how we can learn to overcome them. Or, as Shoten says, the book is about
learning to become less of what you are not. In a series of brief chapters
he progresses through the causes of TTs, describing in detail how each TT
conspires to prevent us from fully becoming our true selves. Not only does
this prevent us from performing well at the poker table, but it prevents us
from fully enjoying life as well, causing feelings such as jealousy,
anxiety, depression, self-pity and vindictiveness. The backbone of the book
is Shoten's list of Ten Commitments, his roadmap to easily living a complete
life. These commitments - attitude, focus, notice, intention, trust, appear,
outcome, forgiveness, notice, gratitude - are so important that the book
comes with a wallet card (about the size of your driver's license) with all
ten printed on it so you can keep them with you at all times. Memorizing
these commitments, and keeping in mind at all times, is the key to
eliminating TTs. Without them distracting you it's much easier to see the
best choice available to you at any given time. It's very easy to see why
this comes in handy at the poker table!
Anyone who is concerned that there is no poker content in No-Limit Life
should set aside that fear; there are plenty of chapters that deal
specifically with poker concepts. Playing a large stack, playing a small
stack, table image, and the six ways of playing a hand are all covered. But
what makes this book special is that these concepts are all presented from a
point of view that fully embraces the Ten Commitments - their power is
demonstrated in how they can be used to eliminate TTs at the poker table and
allow you to become the player you really are. As Shoten says, a sculptor
starts with a block of marble and removes the parts that conceal a Venus de
Milo - you start with who you are today and remove the parts that conceal a
poker champion within. If you doubt that you have this power, consider
professional player Mark Seif; in the two days after he read No-Limit
Life
in 2005 he won back-to-back World Series of Poker tournaments using what he
learned from the book.
In addition to being a top-notch guide to personal improvement both at and
away from the poker table, No-Limit Life is also a quality book in
terms of its presentation. The book is printed on smooth, glossy paper and
includes dozens of beautiful full-color photographs. The text is large and
clean, and on the edge of each page are the keywords for each of the Ten
Commitments. Perhaps the most charming feature of the book is the inclusion
of the "Guru Charlie" cartoons on pages throughout the book, small
illustrations which not only help to further illuminate the points Shoten
makes in the book but should also make you smile.
No-Limit Life is an indispensable guide to anyone who wants to live a
happier life and play better poker. It is available directly from the author
at his website, nolimitlife.net.
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