《101+ 扑克技巧》书评与作者 Rick Gleason 专访

New Book Alert: 101+ Poker Tips

The latest poker book, 101+ Poker Tips: What I Learned About Poker After Midnight, by Rick Gleason, is now available. Gleason started playing poker in 2009 and moved to Las Vegas in 2015 to become a live regular. After nearly 11 years in "Sin City," he compiled the most practical tips for low-stakes tournaments and cash games into this book.

This piece includes both a review and an in-depth interview with the author (also a contributor to Cardplayer Lifestyle). In short, whether you're a beginner or a veteran, this book is worth a read—especially as a poker gift for newcomers.

Interview with Rick Gleason

Where did the inspiration for writing come from?

"The idea took shape over years of grinding at the tables. Like many players, when I first started taking poker seriously, I made every mistake imaginable—some costly, some embarrassing, and a few that were both.

Especially after living in Las Vegas for nearly 11 years, I realized a key truth: long-term poker profitability doesn't rely on flashy bluffs, genius-level plays, or a deep understanding of solvers and GTO. It comes down to discipline, patience, observation, emotional control, and avoiding unnecessary mistakes. These fundamentals do most of the heavy lifting.

After thousands of hours of live play, study, discussions with veterans, and reviewing wins and losses, I compiled a mountain of notes—reminders, observations, quotes, concepts, and lessons that had proven valuable at the tables. Eventually, these notes became a set of practical poker truths that not only helped me but also inspired others.

I realized it might be valuable to present these lessons in a form that readers would enjoy and could apply immediately. I didn't want to write a complex textbook, but rather a light, honest, practical, and relatable read—like chatting with another player across the table.

I hoped this book would share perspective, discipline, and decision-making from the viewpoint of an ordinary low-stakes player—someone who has experienced the swings, mistakes, frustrations, and occasional victories that most poker enthusiasts face. 101+ Poker Tips is the result of those efforts."

Who is the target audience?

"The book is mainly aimed at recreational players and low-stakes No-Limit Hold'em enthusiasts—especially those who are serious about improving. It's written for the players who fill poker rooms every day: $1/$2, $1/$3, and $2/$5 players, home game regulars, retirees, weekend grinders, and anyone who truly loves poker and wants to get better.

Many poker books today skew toward high-stakes, often targeting online pros and solver-driven strategies. Those have value, but the average player needs practical advice they can use right at the table. That's why I wrote this book.

It's also for players who understand that poker is about far more than just hands. Discipline, patience, emotional control, bankroll management, observation, and decision-making under pressure—these themes run throughout the book because they are exactly what separate long-term winners from losers. At the same time, beginners can benefit too, because the writing style is deliberately conversational and easy to digest. In a way, this is the book I wish someone had handed me years ago when I first started taking poker seriously."

Among the 107 tips, which three are the most important?

"That's a tough question because many tips complement each other. But if I had to pick three core ideas, they would be:

1. 'Start by Playing Fewer Hands': This is the first tip for good reason. Most low-stakes players play too many hands, putting themselves in too many tough spots and bleeding chips. Discipline is the foundation of winning. Playing fewer hands immediately improves decisions, reduces costly mistakes, and puts you in favorable positions more often. This may be the fastest improvement many players can make.

2. 'A Good Fold Deserves Respect': Poker culture often celebrates hero calls and dramatic moments, but long-term profitability often comes from the hands you don't play and the chips you don't lose. A disciplined fold can save an entire session. Ego makes you call; experience teaches you to fold. I believe learning to fold correctly is one of the hardest and most valuable skills in poker.

3. 'Decisions Matter More Than Results': This concept may be the emotional backbone of the book. Poker is cruel because good decisions don't always pay off immediately, and bad decisions sometimes get lucky. Players obsessed with short-term results often struggle emotionally and financially. Those who survive and eventually succeed are the ones who focus on consistently making good decisions, regardless of temporary outcomes.

If a player truly understands these three—discipline, folding more, and focusing on decisions—the other lessons in the book will naturally fall into place."

Pros and cons of moving to Las Vegas to play poker?

"The biggest benefit is immersion. Las Vegas is poker's main stage, and the game never sleeps. Each poker room has its own personality, pace, characters, and unwritten rules. You can sit in any beautiful poker room and face tourists, retirees, pros, locals, international visitors, and even people who shouldn't be awake at 3 a.m. It's fascinating.

Las Vegas also forced me to be honest about my skill level. When I lived elsewhere, it was easy to think I knew poker well. Here, I discovered there are different levels of poker—some players operate at a level you haven't even conceived of. Vegas humbled me quickly. Looking back, that was a gift.

Another benefit is the people. Poker introduced me to friends and characters I would never have met otherwise. Many of the smartest, funniest, kindest, and most interesting people I know today came from late-night table conversations about the game, interests, life, and human nature.

The worst part? When poker is constantly around you, the swings and emotional wear become very real. Downswings are no longer theoretical. Extended bad runs test your confidence, patience, discipline, and ego. Some nights driving home along the Strip, I wondered if I was improving or just paying an expensive tuition for playing poker.

Las Vegas can also drain you in subtle ways. The city is built on action, excitement, and temptation. Poker itself is emotionally exhausting if you lose your balance. You have to learn to step away, reset, find other interests, and keep perspective. But ultimately, I'm grateful for the experience. Vegas made me a better poker student—and honestly, a better student of human nature."

The strangest thing you've seen at a Vegas table?

"Las Vegas poker rooms are full of bizarre moments. The game attracts all kinds of personalities, especially after midnight. But one moment stands out because it perfectly captured the human spectacle of poker.

I was in a late-night cash game when a player lost a huge pot in a brutal way—he was a massive favorite, got all-in, and was rivered by a miracle card. That bad beat made the whole table gasp.

Some people would curse, slam the door, or at least complain. But this player just sat quietly, stared at the board for a few seconds. Then he calmly reached into his backpack, pulled out a harmonica, and started playing it right at the table. No joke. The whole table froze. The dealer was laughing, players were confused. Someone thought he had broken down. Another player tossed him a $5 chip as if he were performing on Fremont Street. Strangely enough... his harmonica playing was actually pretty good. After about 30 seconds, he silently put the harmonica away, stacked his remaining chips, looked around, and said, 'Folks... sometimes the blues come early.' Then he smiled, bought back in, and kept playing as if nothing had happened.

That's Vegas poker in a nutshell. The city is full of gamblers, dreamers, heartbreak, quirky characters, and moments you couldn't imagine. The poker room becomes a strange crossroads where people from completely different lives gather under bright lights for a few hours, chasing the same thing. And occasionally, someone pulls out a harmonica after getting rivered."

Where to play during the WSOP?

"During the WSOP, all of Las Vegas turns into a massive poker ecosystem. Even if you never play a bracelet event, this is still the best time of year to play globally—because the games are bigger, softer, and more action-oriented."

"Regarding cash games, I really like the poker room at Paris — they use their own chips, and during the WSOP they operate in the big ballrooms. I've found those games to be among the most profitable all year.

For tournaments, obviously the Horseshoe and Paris WSOP are the epicenter of the poker universe in the summer. Even low buy-in events can create unforgettable experiences. Walking through those tournament areas during the Series feels like stepping into the poker version of the Olympics.

Of course, not every player needs high buy-ins to chase a gold bracelet. Poker rooms like the Wynn, Venetian, and Orleans all run excellent daily and summer tournament series — smaller, friendlier, and sometimes offering better value for the casual recreational player.

For many visitors, the best experience is a mix of both: play a few tournaments to soak in the atmosphere, then spend the rest of the time in cash games — that way you control your session length, manage variance better, and enjoy the environment and the crowd.

One final point: during the WSOP, table selection matters more than ever. The city is packed with dreamers, tourists, satellite winners, bucket-listers, and players chasing poker glory. Somewhere in every room there's a fantastic game, and nearby there's also a table of sharks guarding every chip. Learning to tell the difference is part of the skill of surviving in Las Vegas during the summer WSOP."

Most common mistake in cash games?

"The most common mistake I see in live cash games is… (the text is cut off here, but based on context, common mistakes include playing too many hands, going on tilt, ignoring position, etc. The author goes into detail in the book, so I won't repeat them here.)"

Conclusion

101+ Poker Tips is a book that combines practicality with readability. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or a veteran looking for a breakthrough, there's wisdom worth learning from. As Gleason says, the essence of poker isn't about fancy bluffs — it's about discipline, patience, and consistently making the right decisions.