Maria Konnikova, an award-winning author, psychologist, and poker champion, joins the conversation to delve into how Stoicism influences her poker strategy. She shares insights on the importance of controlling what you can, particularly in decision-making, and how psychology plays a role in both poker and everyday life. The discussion also touches on overcoming barriers to personal growth, embracing risk for development, and the psychology behind deception and persuasion in various contexts. Tune in for valuable lessons on mindset and resilience!
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Focus on Control in Poker
Focus on what you can control: your reactions, emotions, and decisions.
Let go of what you can't control, like outcomes and external events.
insights INSIGHT
Detach from Outcomes
Separating the decision process from the decision outcome is crucial for improvement in poker and life.
Focus on your actions and reactions, not on external factors or bad luck.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
The Art of Playing a Bad Hand
Play a bad hand well: focus on making the best decisions with what you're given.
Don't be discouraged by unfavorable circumstances; concentrate on your actions.
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In 'The Confidence Game', Maria Konnikova delves into the world of con artists, examining why these individuals are successful and why people consistently fall for their schemes. The book covers a range of cons, from multimillion-dollar Ponzi schemes to small-time frauds, using scientific, dramatic, and psychological perspectives. Konnikova explains how con artists exploit human psychology, creating trust, empathy, and rapport to manipulate their victims. She also discusses the common traits of con artists, such as a Machiavellian attitude, nonchalance, and narcissism, and how these traits often lead to their downfall. The book highlights how our own desires and need to believe can make us complicit in our own deception, and it provides insights into the psychology behind why we fall for scams and how our sense of truth can be manipulated.
The Mastermind
Drugs. Empire. Murder. Betrayal
\"Evan Ratliff\"
The book tells the true story of Paul Le Roux, who created a 21st Century cartel involving prescription drugs, cocaine trafficking, weapons deals, and other criminal activities. Award-winning journalist Evan Ratliff spent four years investigating Le Roux's empire, conducting hundreds of interviews and uncovering thousands of documents. The story details the decade-long global manhunt that finally led to Le Roux's arrest and his subsequent cooperation with the Justice Department to bring down his own organization.
The Biggest Bluff
Maria Konnikova
In 'The Biggest Bluff', Maria Konnikova recounts her transformation from a poker novice to a champion under the mentorship of Erik Seidel. The book delves into the psychological aspects of poker, highlighting lessons on self-awareness, decision-making, and the interplay between skill and chance. Konnikova's journey offers insights into human nature and personal growth, making it a compelling read beyond the realm of poker.
The Enchiridion
Epictetus
Tony Darnell
Thomas Wentworth Higginson
The Enchiridion is a concise summary of the basic ideas of Stoic philosophy and provides techniques for transforming these principles into a way of life. It was compiled by Arrian from the teachings of Epictetus and is notable for its practical advice on moral conduct in various life situations. Unlike the Discourses, which present Epictetus' teachings in a more dynamic and situational context, the Enchiridion is a more structured and concise guide to Stoic living[1][5].
Meditations
Marcus Aurelius
Meditations is a series of private writings composed by Marcus Aurelius, one of Rome's greatest emperors, as he struggled to understand himself and make sense of the universe. Written between 170 and 180 CE while on military campaigns, this work combines Stoic philosophy with personal observations on leadership, duty, mortality, and human nature. Through twelve books of intimate thoughts never intended for publication, Marcus Aurelius explores themes of self-improvement, resilience in the face of adversity, and living virtuously while accepting what cannot be changed.
Ryan speaks with writer, psychologist, and poker champion Maria Konnikova about how she uses Stoicism to win big at Texas hold’em, and how you can use knowledge of human psychology to make better choices, whether it’s in Las Vegas or elsewhere.
Maria Konnikova is an award-winning author who has written for The New York Times, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, Wired, and many other outlets. Konnikova has also made a career as a poker player, winning hundreds of thousands of dollars in tournaments around the world, drawing upon her knowledge as a Columbia University-trained Ph.D. psychologist.
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