“Elements of Poker” by Tommy Angelo is not like any poker book you have ever seen, because Tommy Angelo is not like any poker author you have ever seen. Tommy does things his own way, from his “Tommyisms,” his own self-created brand of poker terminology, to his humor and general approach to the game.

A B C Poker

“Elements of Poker” is all about eliminating what Tommy likes to call the “C” game. The A game is the game we are playing when we are at our peak. We totally focus on the game and everything is going right. The C game is the opposite of this. If we can get the C game out of our repertoire, we can enjoy instantly improved results.

The Supposed Elements of Poker

If any other poker book hasn’t helped you, the “Elements of Poker” may be your salvation. Most books talk about understanding pot odds, the importance of aggression and knowing the quality starting hands. These books talk as if understanding these concepts is all it takes to be a world champion poker player.

The reality is that if this were true, everyone (or no one) would be a champion. Pot odds are not that difficult to understand and many people who understand them are not getting the results they want.

The Real Elements of Poker

Tommy Angelo talks about the elements of poker that really cause a poker player who knows how to play well to watch his bankroll disappear. There are four separate chapters on tilt, information about bankroll management, knowing when to quit and knowing when to give respect to your opponents. This book covers all the less “tangible” aspects of successful poker play.

If you haven’t been happy with your poker results because you always seem to call, raise or bluff at the wrong time, you might want to consult another book before this one. However, if you know all the basics and are still struggling to keep your bankroll together, Tommy Angelo’s “Elements of Poker” may be just what you need to turn things around.