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First Impression: A book that won’t make you rich, or hone your poker skills, instead it will change your outlook.

Imagine Your Winning Possibilities: A Poker Player's Key Insights book cover

I would like to thank the enthusiastic and positive Bernard Maiden for the gift of his work in exchange for my frank review. My blog relies on generosity through the gift of books and tips.

The blurb promises a motivational book centered around the realization of our dreams. In Imagine Your Winning Possibilities: A Poker Player’s Key Insights by poker player Bernard Maiden, lessons are unveiled to place you in a better position to win at both poker, and in life. The lessons themselves aren’t groundbreaking but they are the types of pointers we have to be reminded of every now and again. Is this book going to make you rich? No! Is it going to give you the winning formulas for winning poker hands? Certainly not! What it will do is ask you to connect with your spiritual self. It will ask you to think happy thoughts, seek gratitude, and to believe in yourself.

The writing may be short and sweet, but it maintains a positive tone throughout. Each of the seven chapters are focused on Maiden and involve him sharing anecdotes about his experiences. Starting with a series of rhetorical questions, Maiden is basically asking you to take stock of what it is you actually want and start manifesting it. There is a lot to be said for reframing situations in ways that eradicate negativity. This leads on to an understanding of Maiden’s early life, the ‘rags’ so to speak. Maiden shares a portion of his early life that sees him accepting unexpected opportunities. As he continues, his lessons lead you on a journey where he doesn’t necessarily find financial riches, but he is rich all the same.

It may not have been intended, but the jovial humor made me chuckle. I found myself reading quips like, ‘Also, I learned that to Iowans, 10 degrees is just “a little chilly” day. That’s because the four seasons are almost winter, winter, still winter…and road construction’ repeatedly.

Having raved about the good points, it’s only fair to address some of the points that could do with some improvement. The book is clearly a self-published title. Usually this is apparent in the writing, although for this text, it was the amateur illustrating that gave the game away. Although the pictures are on theme, stock photos accompany the paragraphs in a haphazard way. There is no logic in the sizing and placement. Frankly, this is a case where less would have been more.

Ignoring the text, the book is for the spiritual, the positive, the ones trying to be positive, and people who work too hard for too little. It’s a book that will find a home with people who need hope and permission to dream. It’s unlikely to interest teens, but there is no profanity or sensitive language that keeps them from reading Imagine Your Winning Possibilities: A Poker Player’s Key Insights. If you proceed to read, get ready for an attitude change.

Quick Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ / PG

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