The Tao of Poker: 285 Rules to Transform Your Game and Your Life

by Larry W. Phillips

Poker is more than just a card game - it can also help you become a winner away from the gaming tables By blending the life lessons of a time-honored spiritual practice with the strategy of this popular card game, you can create a powerful approach to successful play - and successful living. In The Tao of Poker , prize-winning poker player Larry Phillips offers more than 280 rules to bring you to new levels of personal achievement, just when and where...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580628370
• ISBN13: 9781580628372
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Adams Media Corporation
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 7.2"

Customer Reviews

Worth Every Cent!

I am not a Zen kind of guy and was avoiding this book for that reason alone. I bought it based on the recommendation of another player that I met at a tournament, and am glad I did! Chock full of common sense advice that would take you a lifetime of playing to gain (if then). To my relief it is not some sort of "touchy feely," liberal nonsense book, but real poker wisdom, offered in a enjoyable format.

Deceptively Strong.

I was vaguely aware of Larry Phillips and his "Tao" and "Zen" of poker before I decided to purchase them both a couple of weeks ago. As the reader probably knows, Steve Dannenman was carrying Tao around with him during the World Series this year. I will admit that this one isn't going to allow you to finish second out of a crowd of 5,000, but it is chock full of common sense which is exactly what one wants from an instructional guide. Phillips is no cardroom flunky, he is an erudite student who knows a little bit about everything; a renaissance man offering intimate insight on poker and human nature. I must say that several of the rules he offers are not consistent with conventional wisdom, but I agree with Phillips over the others. The notion that hot and cold streaks are the imagination of the individual player is often accepted, but Tao convincingly argues otherwise. Bad luck can last a few weeks no matter how many times you switch seats or tables. An example of his valuable perspective is evident in Rule 166 or the 75% rule. All he recommends here is that you book a win once you give back 25% of it. Those words are very wise and very accurate as greed is the death of every entrepreneur (which is the most charitable way of describing those of us joined at the felt to this glorious game). Phillips is a firm believer that emotions and the mental state of the player are a key variable in terms of who comes out a winner or a loser. Just about everything here is quietly valuable. Few of the things he says will make you exclaim "Wow!" but nearly all of them will make you a sounder player.

Complement your poker library with this one...

"The Tao of Poker" will transform and mold your thoughts on poker like Sun Tzu's The Art of War does for generals. This is not to say that the author provides concrete X's & O's strategies for winning, but rather illustrates the proper mindset to approach the game. Concepts like mentally focusing, planning, and how to manage your bankroll are introduced. For instance, after big wins in Texas Hold Em tournaments, I often "recycled" my money into higher money games, generally losing it. One of Phillips suggestions is to pocket a certain percentage of any big win, take a walk and come back refreshed. While I think most of the precepts in the book are just common sense to any moderate skill player, the book also advocates a certain philosophy to playing the game of poker, one that is useful from the novice to pro player.

Good book for those who tilt easily

I have read over a dozen books on poker which include those written by Sklansky, Ciaffone, Hellmuth, and Mike Caro, yet I found this book to be the best one in dealing with my emotional turmoil in the game of poker. If you want to read a book that deals with the finer skills of poker then I highly recommend one of Sklansky's books or Middle Limit Poker by Bob Ciaffone is excellent as well.If you are an emotional player, one who doesn't take bad beats that easily and one who will go "on tilt" quite often then I HIGHLY recommend this book because it will teach you to control your emotions and to look at the game in a different light. Since reading this book my game has improved because my discipline and patience is at all new level to compliment my skills. Overall, the book is an easy read(slightly longwinded), but should be reread if you feel that you are regressing back to your old ways. Hope this helps.Good luck and skill.

UNSURPASSABLE value for money, this one!

I would have read quite a number of books on the game, but this one surpasses them all by a distance. Almost every topic is (briefly) covered in beautifully succinct and user friendly prose.However, this book is not for the player who wants great technical detail on every poker issue - rather than a general view of your own shortcomings or potential weaknesses in your game.I read these books to help me with my game and this is the master pep talk. I came away from this book with a better game - and that is to my mind, GREAT value for money. If you are trying to improve your game or a veteran needing a lift, this is the book for you - light enough to be read anywhere. RAISE!