How I Became a Poker Champion in One Year
(www.theatlantic.com)Three years ago, Seidel began to teach me how to play poker. Why on earth would a professional poker player—the professional poker player—agree to let a random journalist follow him around like an overeager toddler? It’s not for money or exposure. Seidel is notoriously reticent, and he hates sharing his tactics. I was, however, an ideal pupil in a few ways. Most important, I have a Ph.D. in psychology, and so I was well positioned to understand Seidel’s style of play. I also never had much of an interest in cards, meaning Seidel wouldn’t have to rid me of any bad habits. My academic training and my inexperience made me a perfect vehicle for an experiment to see if Seidel’s psychological game could still triumph over a strictly mathematical style.
After reading the excerpt in the Atlantic I definitely want to read the rest of Maria Konnikova's new book, The Biggest Bluff because it sounds like a fascinating story. Deadspin also has a pretty good interview with her about the book and her poker playing career.