Elements Of Poker
Tommy Angelo
This is a poker strategy book of a different kind. You won’t find much advice on how to play any particular hand, or strategies to crush the TAGs, the LAGs and everyone in between. I think the best way to sum it up is with a line from the first few pages of the book. A quote included from one of Tommy’s first students, “This was not at all what I expected, but it was exactly what I needed.”
The book consists of Tommy’s 144 elements of poker. Some are simple, one sentence, ideas while others take up several pages in the 250 page book. All of them though, will inspire new ways of thinking about the way you play, and how it effects you, your game, your opponents, and your environment. The author explains everything with a bit of humor and a unique outlook. He covers everything from common ideas like positional play, bankroll and tilt, to more abstract ideas such as getting “gobsmacked”, finger tilt and poker funk.
For anyone who’s putting in more than a few hours a week playing poker, the advice and ideas will undoubtedly improve the way you play your game. If you’re doing well, but you feel like there’s some block somewhere in your mind slowing you down, or holding you back, this should be the next book on your list. I guarantee you that at least one of Tommy’s elements of poker will show you a way around that block.
You can also check out Tommy’s site for excerpts from his book and lots of worthwhile articles on different aspects of poker at TommyAngelo.com.