Poker and Philosophy: Pocket Rockets and Philosopher Kings

Popular Culture and Philosophy #20

by Eric Bronson (Editor)

Does God play cards with the universe? Do women have better poker faces than men? What’s the most existential poker movie ever made? Is life more meaningful when you go all-in? Is online poker really still poker? Poker and Philosophy ponders these questions and more, pitting young lions against old masters as the brashness of Phil Hellmuth meets the arrogance of Socrates, the recklessness of Doyle Brunson challenges the desperation of Dostoyevsky, and the coolness of Chris Moneymaker takes on the American tradition of capitalist ingenuity. This witty collection of essays demonstrates what serious card sharks have long winning big takes more than a good hand and a straight face. Stacking the metaphorical deck with a serious grounding in philosophy is the key to raking it in, because as Machiavelli proved long ago, it’s a lot better to be feared than loved, and lying is not the same as cheating.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction

222 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2006

About the author

Eric Bronson is the author or editor of seven books. He has a Ph.D. in philosophy and currently teaches in the Humanities Department at York University in Toronto. His classes on Modern Life focus on anxiety, creativity, and happiness.

His most recent book, Enchanted Wisdom, takes readers through the ancient religious roots of enchanting activities from around the world like cooking Chinese food, climbing Mt. Everest, and dancing to gospel music. His most recent work of historical fiction, King of Rags, explores Scott Joplin's tragic quest to write the music of civil rights fifty years before America was ready to listen.

The Chicago Sun Times noted that Bronson's "Baseball and Philosophy makes you realize just how fun thinking about baseball really is."

Reviews

[Sheehan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title says it all, it is a collection of articles by philosophers and writers on philosophy's influence on poker and how play is reflected in philosophy.

I can say the thing I enjoyed most was that all of the authors seemed to have more than a passing familiarity with the game so the articles were for the most part, not simply dry-boring expositions on philosophy. That being said, aside from the parts on bluffing vs. or as lying, most of it was pretty intuitive.

I did get some great citations for other poker-related texts I want to read, so for that alone this book has merit.

[Gene Wagendorf III · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, and actually, worked wonders on my game.

[Molly Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting read, and I only spent a dollar on this book!