zen and tao
 

Am I missing anything by not buying the Zen or Tao poker book? Some people really like them while others say they are useless unless someone needs to be told to avoid tilt.

Re: zen and tao
 

It depends...

If you tilt much...
If you lose focus much...
If you are inexperienced...
If you like the ideas of getting in the proper frame of mind to play....

you may enjoy them.

Light reading. Bathroom material. But they do have a value.

Re: zen and tao
 

Just be sure to judge them critically as you're reading.

Way too much talk about 'leaving the table before the cards turn cold' or 'don't leave before the cards turn around and you were going to start winning again' and other stuff that seems to pre-suppose that a good playe is supposed to be psychic.


The whole stuff about patience and discipline and avoiding tilt and so forth is worthwhile.
But there are many problems in there too.

Re: zen and tao
 

if you are interested in philosophy they are mildly entertaining. And they serve the purpose mentioned above me

Re: zen and tao
 

Zen Buddhism?

What's an out of shape fat man going to tell me about "self discipline"?.

Re: zen and tao
 

You're thinking Buddha is this guy

However, I'm pretty sure Buddha is this guy

I wouldn't lay more than 1.4:1 on it though.

Re: zen and tao
 

the zen book (the only one i've read) was helpful to me for sure. but not really from a technical poker perspective - it's much more of a state of mind book.

Re: zen and tao
 

The first is Hotei (or the laughing Buddha) he is one of the Seven Japanese Gods of Luck. The only one who is supposed to have been a real person.

Re: zen and tao
 

[ QUOTE ]
Light reading. Bathroom material. But they do have a value.

[/ QUOTE ]

This about sums it up. I've only read "Tao" but have found it to be a useful book. It wont help your technical playing but gives some good advice on keeping your head in the game.

Re: zen and tao
 

if in doubt then buy it