How Philosophy and Poker are Related

This blog is devoted to sharing my thoughts on poker and philosophy. Poker players who are familiar with the modern approach to poker theory—which is based on the mathematical field of game theory [1...]  [2...]—know that the study of so-called toy-games can shed much light on sound poker strategy.

Just like the careful study of highly simplified toy-games can provide a foundation for a better understanding of much more complex games such as no-limit Texas hold'em or pot-limit Omaha, it is my contention that poker in general can also instructively be viewed as a microcosm of human rational life, of practical wisdom, of our capacities for knowledge, for self-understanding and for love.

In a reciprocal fashion, highly abstract philosophical concepts and ideas can be clarified when they are being rendered more concrete through finding natural applications to elements of poker strategy and of the mental game of poker [3...]. Since, on the one hand, mathematical poker theory mainly concerns itself with a dry mathematical approach to rational decisions (aimed at profit maximization,) and, on the other hand, the mental game of poker concerns itself with psychological aspects of motivation, emotions and subjective preferences, it may seem that those two different features of poker players—their rational and emotional abilities—are quite independent. Philosophy, however, teaches us that practical rationality is inseparably build up from the complementary abilities to think correctly (and thereby know what is true) and to desire correctly (and thereby wish what is right). Those are the two human abilities that Aristole called phronesis (or practical wisdom) and arete (virtue, or excellence of character) [4...]  [5...]. Philosophy can therefore shed light on the psychology of poker and on poker performance.

Since, therefore, poker can provide insight into philosophy, and philosophy can also help us think about poker, this blog will interest those who know quite a bit about poker and are curious to know about its philosophical implications, as well as those who are in the opposite situation. I will however also occasionally post on topics that are mainly or solely about poker, or mainly or solely about philosophy. Much of what I will be covering will be intended to clarify my own thinking about those topics, and I trust my readers will pick and chose what interests them and, hopefully, tell me in the comments what are topics that they would like to see covered in more details.

References

1. Andrew Brokos, Play Optimal Poker: Practical Game Theory for Every Poker Player 
2. Andrew Brokos, Play Optimal Poker 2: Range Construction
3. Jared Tendler and Barry Carter, The Mental Game of Poker: Proven Strategies for Improving Tilt Control, Confidence, Motivation, Coping with Variance, and More
4. David Wiggins, Needs, Values, Truth: Essays in the Philosophy of Value 3rd Edition
5. John McDowell, Mind, Value, and Reality