EthanCainePoker.com

Poker Winners Are Different – Review

I picked this book up Christmas 2009 and read it 2 1/2 times over the course of the last 3 weeks in December while sitting around at my parents house.  I must say it is an excellent book but its not for everyone.

This book focuses on the mindset you should have while playing poker.  Many people don’t really know what or how to think as far as attitude is concerned so they just try to eliminate all emotion which is a huge mistake.

The book is laid out in several sections:

Controlling your Focus
-Focus on long term results not the short term because VARIANCE happens.  No matter how good you are you will lose some sessions.  How you deal with those losing sessions will effect everything.
-Focus on Power – Poker is a game of leverage and this book beautifully explains how you can stay on top and make sure the power is tilted in your favor.
-Focus on Other People – If your inner self isn’t in order there is no way you can focus on other people effectively

Controlling Your Thought Process
Majority of the book concentrates on this because it is probably the most important thing in Poker and anything really.
-Probing effectivly
-Thinking Logically

Control the Information You Transmit
This section is self explanatory but is important if you want to trap and bluff properly.

I would rate this book 9/10 as it focuses on much needed subject of mindset in poker.

If your looking to gain an edge in your game STUDY this book!

-Ethan

Christmas 2009 Poker Study Goals

As some of you know Christmas 2009 I currently have 2 weeks off that I can devote almost exclusively too working on my poker game.  I have thus decided to go through a number of poker resources that I have during the holiday season:

Everything Texas Holdem book – Great Fundamentals Book and this will be my 4th time through it.  Never hurts to brush up on the basics.
Zen and the Art Of Poker – Amazing Inner Game Book – I will reread it for a 3rd time
Poker Winners Are Different – Just picked this book up today from Chapters.  Really looking forward to it

Just Picked This Up - Will Post Review SOON

I have a good momentum going with this whole poker thing so I don’t think I will have ANY issues with finishing these books as well as getting poker in too.

-Ethan

Zen and The Art Of Poker- 70% Done And WOW

If you have been keeping up on my previous progress or lack there of, I have lost $250 of my $280 that I once had in my Full Tilt Account.  I decided to take a step back and remind myself why I started learning poker in the first place.

Its not the money which is what it HAS become lately because I started winning.  Its the personal development, becoming the person I want to become by following tried and true principles that can be measured easily and effectively with Poker.

You see money isn’t the end result, most people think it is but its really the freedom that that money brings.  Money is an effect, and being an excellent player is what causes you to get said money.

So I decided to play a single 5cent/10cent game and read Zen and The Art Of Poker.  This is exactly the book I needed to read because it reminded me that being calm and having no expectation of the situation is the best way to do, anything really.  Once you can control yourself you will be able to get into flow state and your desired results will flow to you eventually.

This is all a bit metaphysical but I like that kind of thing.  This book so far has helped me get back on track with not just my poker game but my life in general.

Its only 200pages and completely worth the read, if your open minded enough to try some of the principles it will help you too.

-Ethan

Killer Poker Online 2 – John Vorhaus

I am currently 1/3 of the way through John Vorhaus’s Killer Poker Online 2 book.  Obviously its mainly about playing online however I picked this book up because its very practical but mainly because it focuses alot on mindset.  Your mindset is the most important thing when it comes to doing anything in life really.

Of course just having the mindset isn’t enough you need education and experience to complete the picture.

So far its an awesome book.

I will be posting some of the things I learned in this book.  I already have with the previous post about taking notes on your players.

Some cool stuff I learned so far has been:

-Take the same amount of time to make your decision.  Don’t just check the check/call button because that shows certainty of hand.  Basically it tells your opponent you either have a great hand or a crappy hand.  Your probably not chasing a draw.

-Third Times The Adjustment.  Good players watch and remember what their opponents did.  If you notice PlayerA bets mid pair to win the pot you notice.  He does it again, and a third time you can make an adjustment in your play to loosen up your hands.

I will post more soon I just thought I would let you know what I am reading.  So far its an excellent book and I recommend getting it.

-Ethan

John “Johnny Quads” Wenzel Texas Hold’em Book

I read this book in its entirety about 5 days ago and I am re-reading it again today and tomorrow.  Wonderful book that explains the ins and outs with easy to understand flowing language.  I am very glad my friend Dustin from www.DustinJanzen.com lent it to me.

You Can Buy Your Very Own Copy On Amazon
CLICK HERE

Its just over 300 pages but almost every page has a gem of information on it.  The book suggests that pros are Tight Aggressive players which I was not being tonight.  I was aggressive but I have to work on my tight since I got beat so much and instantly regretted playing alot of hands.

O well that is what the FREE money tables are for…to learn on.

-Ethan