An Excellent Quote for Poker

[shipitfish]

I read that Barry Greenstein, in his book, has the following quote from Kierkegaard:

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.

It's true that so many times, it's clear to everyone who considers a hand after it is done knows how it should have been played. When we disagree, they are almost always marginal decisions. In the moment, though, things aren't so straight forward and it's hard to tell the marginal decision (that's ok either way) from the one that has a clear path. We have to plod through in those moments and make the best decisions we can. The important thing is learning from those decisions for the next time you live a hand forwards. In a meta-game consideration, it too often becomes obvious after the fact that the game was too tough, or that we weren't in the best state of mind when we played, but in the moment it's hard to realize.

I had wanted to read his book anyway, but seeing this in a review of it made me consider getting to it sooner.

Comments

Greenstein's book

[(Anonymous)]

Personally, I didn't think Barry's book was very good. Lots of blather and a few photos. Nothing really to take away from it. Try to borrow it before you buy it.

Re: Greenstein's book

[salvelinus.livejournal.com]

I agree. Nice and glossy with some good photos, otherwise nothing special with a lot of filler.
I think that the poker book market is saturated. Poker is a complex game, but there really isn't that much new to write about.

[patty-bush.livejournal.com]

personally I enjoyed it. I read knowing that it was a bit rough, almost like Barry wrote it himself without an edittor.

Also, going into it I knew it wasn't some sort of instructional book, he gives advice, but it's more of a look at Barry, and how he sees the poker world.