🏆 Professional Gaming

Inside the high-stakes world of competitive esports, where reflexes, strategy, and mental endurance converge in a rapidly evolving industry.

This is esports (and How to Spell it) – LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK AWARD 2020

by Paul "ReDeYe" Chaloner • 2020

Esports started in 1980, runs on modder-built games, and won't push pros out at 25.

4.10

158

🎮 Esports Industry 🕹️ Gaming Culture 🔧 Modding Communities 👩 Women In Gaming 📺 Sports Media

This is esports (and How to Spell it) – LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK AWARD 2020 Summary

This is esports (and How to Spell it) – LONGLISTED FOR THE WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK AWARD 2020 91%

Esports started in 1980, runs on modder-built games, and won't push pros out at 25.

by Paul "ReDeYe" Chaloner 2020

4.10

158 ratings

🎮 Esports Industry 🕹️ Gaming Culture 🔧 Modding Communities 👩 Women In Gaming 📺 Sports Media

Masters of Doom

by David Kushner • 2003

Two coders, one lake house, and the game that turned office workers into after-hours warriors.

4.30

20k+

🎮 Video Game History 🕹️ Game Development 🚀 Tech Startups 🤝 Creative Partnerships 💻 Hacker Ethos

Masters of Doom 88%

Two coders, one lake house, and the game that turned office workers into after-hours warriors.

by David Kushner 2003

4.30

20k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game History 🕹️ Game Development 🚀 Tech Startups 🤝 Creative Partnerships 💻 Hacker Ethos

Lost in a Good Game

by Pete Etchells • 2019

The research that clears video games of harm, and the surprising ways they improve our lives.

3.72

752

🎮 Video Game Psychology ⏳ Screen Time Research 🌐 Digital Culture 🧩 Gaming Motivation 🧠 Gaming And Cognition

Lost in a Good Game 88%

The research that clears video games of harm, and the surprising ways they improve our lives.

by Pete Etchells 2019

3.72

752 ratings

🎮 Video Game Psychology ⏳ Screen Time Research 🌐 Digital Culture 🧩 Gaming Motivation 🧠 Gaming And Cognition

One Up

by Joost van Dreunen • 2020

Three transformations in four decades, and each one rewarded strategy over creative genius.

4.13

213

🎮 Video Game Industry 🏗️ Platform Economics 📡 Digital Disruption 🎨 Creative Industries 👾 Game Developers

One Up 87%

Three transformations in four decades, and each one rewarded strategy over creative genius.

by Joost van Dreunen 2020

4.13

213 ratings

🎮 Video Game Industry 🏗️ Platform Economics 📡 Digital Disruption 🎨 Creative Industries 👾 Game Developers

Press Reset

by Jason Schreier • 2021

Why game developers lose their jobs after shipping hit games, and who profits.

4.05

8k+

🎮 Video Game Industry 🛠️ Tech Labor ⏰ Crunch Culture 📉 Job Precarity 🎭 Art Vs Commerce

Press Reset 87%

Why game developers lose their jobs after shipping hit games, and who profits.

by Jason Schreier 2021

4.05

8k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game Industry 🛠️ Tech Labor ⏰ Crunch Culture 📉 Job Precarity 🎭 Art Vs Commerce

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels

by Jason Schreier • 2017

Behind the scenes of Destiny, Diablo, and Stardew Valley: chaos, crunch, and last-minute saves.

4.20

25k+

🎮 Video Game Development 🎬 Behind The Scenes 📰 Tech Journalism 🎨 Creative Process 🛠️ Labor Practices

Blood, Sweat, and Pixels 87%

Behind the scenes of Destiny, Diablo, and Stardew Valley: chaos, crunch, and last-minute saves.

by Jason Schreier 2017

4.20

25k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game Development 🎬 Behind The Scenes 📰 Tech Journalism 🎨 Creative Process 🛠️ Labor Practices

The Will to Keep Winning

by Daigo Umehara • 2016

For a fighting game legend, the most dangerous opponent was the trophy itself.

4.22

724

🎮 Competitive Gaming 🧠 Competitive Mindset 🔄 Process Over Outcome 🏆 Sustained Excellence 💪 Effort Over Talent

The Will to Keep Winning 87%

For a fighting game legend, the most dangerous opponent was the trophy itself.

by Daigo Umehara 2016

4.22

724 ratings

🎮 Competitive Gaming 🧠 Competitive Mindset 🔄 Process Over Outcome 🏆 Sustained Excellence 💪 Effort Over Talent

The Invisible Game

by Zoltan Andrejkovics • 2016

Your team grinds mechanics all day and still cracks under pressure. The missing half is trainable.

4.33

228

🧠 Sports Psychology 🤝 Team Dynamics 🎯 Deliberate Practice 🌊 Flow States 🫀 Emotional Regulation

The Invisible Game 87%

Your team grinds mechanics all day and still cracks under pressure. The missing half is trainable.

by Zoltan Andrejkovics 2016

4.33

228 ratings

🧠 Sports Psychology 🤝 Team Dynamics 🎯 Deliberate Practice 🌊 Flow States 🫀 Emotional Regulation

Console Wars

by Blake J. Harris • 2014

A toy exec and a blue hedgehog briefly unseated Nintendo. The real fight was inside the company.

3.97

12k+

🎮 Video Game Industry ⚔️ Business Rivalries 🥊 Corporate Infighting 📢 Disruptive Marketing 🐱 Brand Mascots

Console Wars 86%

A toy exec and a blue hedgehog briefly unseated Nintendo. The real fight was inside the company.

by Blake J. Harris 2014

3.97

12k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game Industry ⚔️ Business Rivalries 🥊 Corporate Infighting 📢 Disruptive Marketing 🐱 Brand Mascots

A Theory Of Fun For Game Design

by Ralph Koster • 2004

Games tap into your brain's learning circuits. The rush of fun is the moment something clicks.

3.90

3k+

🎮 Game Design 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Learning Through Games ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧩 Player Psychology

A Theory Of Fun For Game Design 86%

Games tap into your brain's learning circuits. The rush of fun is the moment something clicks.

by Ralph Koster 2004

3.90

3k+ ratings

🎮 Game Design 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Learning Through Games ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧩 Player Psychology

Getting Gamers

by Jamie Madigan • 2015

The psychology that turns play into obsession, strangers into teammates, and pixels into identity.

4.01

489

🎮 Gaming Psychology 🧠 Behavioral Psychology 🔍 Cognitive Biases 🌐 Online Communities 🪪 Social Identity

Getting Gamers 86%

The psychology that turns play into obsession, strangers into teammates, and pixels into identity.

by Jamie Madigan 2015

4.01

489 ratings

🎮 Gaming Psychology 🧠 Behavioral Psychology 🔍 Cognitive Biases 🌐 Online Communities 🪪 Social Identity

Persuasive Games

by Ian Bogost • 2007

A videogame's rules are arguments. Learning to read them changes how you see every screen.

3.84

360

🎮 Game Studies 📺 Media Theory 📜 Rhetorical Theory 🎲 Game Design Theory 📱 Digital Media Criticism

Persuasive Games 86%

A videogame's rules are arguments. Learning to read them changes how you see every screen.

by Ian Bogost 2007

3.84

360 ratings

🎮 Game Studies 📺 Media Theory 📜 Rhetorical Theory 🎲 Game Design Theory 📱 Digital Media Criticism

Level Up!

by Scott Rogers • 2010

The game design manual that puts controls, camera, and characters first, then shows you the rest.

4.09

1k+

🎮 Video Game Development 🛠️ Practical Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 📖 Game Storytelling 🗺️ Level Design

Level Up! 86%

The game design manual that puts controls, camera, and characters first, then shows you the rest.

by Scott Rogers 2010

4.09

1k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game Development 🛠️ Practical Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 📖 Game Storytelling 🗺️ Level Design

The Theory of Poker

by David Sklansky • 1983

A professional player reveals the theorem that turned poker from a gamble into a science.

4.02

3k+

♠️ Poker Strategy 🧮 Poker Mathematics 💸 Advantage Play 🎯 Game Theory 🧠 Poker Psychology

The Theory of Poker 85%

A professional player reveals the theorem that turned poker from a gamble into a science.

by David Sklansky 1983

4.02

3k+ ratings

♠️ Poker Strategy 🧮 Poker Mathematics 💸 Advantage Play 🎯 Game Theory 🧠 Poker Psychology

The Mental Game of Poker 2

by Jared Tendler • 2013

A step-by-step system for poker's mental game: reach the zone, beat tilt, make sharper decisions.

4.21

286

🧠 Sports Psychology ♠️ Competitive Poker 🏔️ Peak Performance 🧪 Decision Science 🎯 Focus And Attention

The Mental Game of Poker 2 85%

A step-by-step system for poker's mental game: reach the zone, beat tilt, make sharper decisions.

by Jared Tendler 2013

4.21

286 ratings

🧠 Sports Psychology ♠️ Competitive Poker 🏔️ Peak Performance 🧪 Decision Science 🎯 Focus And Attention

Gamification by Design

by Gabe Zichermann • 2011

Why most badges fail: the motivation design that turns app users into players.

3.65

490

🎮 Gamification ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧠 Player Motivation 🔬 Behavioral Design 🌊 Flow Psychology

Gamification by Design 85%

Why most badges fail: the motivation design that turns app users into players.

by Gabe Zichermann 2011

3.65

490 ratings

🎮 Gamification ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧠 Player Motivation 🔬 Behavioral Design 🌊 Flow Psychology

Glued to Games

by Scott Rigby • 2011

Games grip you longer than movies because they feed deep needs that daily life starves.

4.00

111

🎮 Video Game Psychology 🕹️ Game Design Theory 🧠 Player Motivation 📚 Self-Determination Theory ⚠️ Game Addiction

Glued to Games 85%

Games grip you longer than movies because they feed deep needs that daily life starves.

by Scott Rigby 2011

4.00

111 ratings

🎮 Video Game Psychology 🕹️ Game Design Theory 🧠 Player Motivation 📚 Self-Determination Theory ⚠️ Game Addiction

Moral Combat

by Patrick M. Markey • 2017

Crime fell as gaming rose. The evidence never held, and the outrage is a recycled panic.

4.18

173

😱 Media Moral Panics 🎮 Video Game Studies 🔫 Violence And Media 🧠 Gaming Benefits 👴 Generational Divides

Moral Combat 85%

Crime fell as gaming rose. The evidence never held, and the outrage is a recycled panic.

by Patrick M. Markey 2017

4.18

173 ratings

😱 Media Moral Panics 🎮 Video Game Studies 🔫 Violence And Media 🧠 Gaming Benefits 👴 Generational Divides

Designing Games

by Tynan Sylvester • 2013

Build games as emotion machines: a systems guide to rules, choices, and difficulty.

4.47

517

🎮 Game Design 🧠 Player Psychology 🔄 Iterative Design 🔗 Systems Thinking 📖 Narrative Design

Designing Games 85%

Build games as emotion machines: a systems guide to rules, choices, and difficulty.

by Tynan Sylvester 2013

4.47

517 ratings

🎮 Game Design 🧠 Player Psychology 🔄 Iterative Design 🔗 Systems Thinking 📖 Narrative Design

Doyle Brunson's Super System

by Doyle Brunson • 2002

The original No Limit bible: why people beat cards, how aggression wins, when to risk everything.

3.96

3k+

🃏 Poker Strategy ♠️ No Limit Hold'em 🧠 Poker Psychology 🏆 Tournament Poker 👀 Poker Tells

Doyle Brunson's Super System 85%

The original No Limit bible: why people beat cards, how aggression wins, when to risk everything.

by Doyle Brunson 2002

3.96

3k+ ratings

🃏 Poker Strategy ♠️ No Limit Hold'em 🧠 Poker Psychology 🏆 Tournament Poker 👀 Poker Tells

Poker Texas Hold'em. El poder de la estrategia / Power Hold'em Strategy

by Daniel Negreanu • 2007

Negreanu reveals why cold reads and small bets, not premium cards, win no-limit hold'em.

3.93

534

♠️ No-Limit Hold'em 🏆 Tournament Poker 🎯 Exploitative Play 📍 Positional Advantage 📏 Bet Sizing

Poker Texas Hold'em. El poder de la estrategia / Power Hold'em Strategy Summary

Poker Texas Hold'em. El poder de la estrategia / Power Hold'em Strategy 85%

Negreanu reveals why cold reads and small bets, not premium cards, win no-limit hold'em.

by Daniel Negreanu 2007

3.93

534 ratings

♠️ No-Limit Hold'em 🏆 Tournament Poker 🎯 Exploitative Play 📍 Positional Advantage 📏 Bet Sizing

Silent Hill

by Bernard Perron • 2006

Fog, radio static, broken controls: Silent Hill made your own mind the real horror.

3.65

253

🎮 Survival Horror Games 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Psychological Horror 👹 Monster Symbolism 🔊 Game Sound Design

Silent Hill 85%

Fog, radio static, broken controls: Silent Hill made your own mind the real horror.

by Bernard Perron 2006

3.65

253 ratings

🎮 Survival Horror Games 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Psychological Horror 👹 Monster Symbolism 🔊 Game Sound Design

Unboxed

by Gordon Calleja • 2022

Board games succeed or fail on six forms of involvement. Most designers only account for one.

3.46

🎲 Board Game Design 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Play Theory 📖 Analog Revival 🔍 Phenomenology

Unboxed 85%

Board games succeed or fail on six forms of involvement. Most designers only account for one.

by Gordon Calleja 2022

3.46

13 ratings

🎲 Board Game Design 📚 Game Studies 🧠 Play Theory 📖 Analog Revival 🔍 Phenomenology

Across the Board

by Tim Clare • 2024

Dice, boards, and cards: our oldest tools for connection, and what they reveal about being human.

3.83

472

🎲 Tabletop Gaming 📜 Board Game History 🤔 Philosophy Of Play 👥 Game Communities 🧠 Psychology Of Games

Across the Board 85%

Dice, boards, and cards: our oldest tools for connection, and what they reveal about being human.

by Tim Clare 2024

3.83

472 ratings

🎲 Tabletop Gaming 📜 Board Game History 🤔 Philosophy Of Play 👥 Game Communities 🧠 Psychology Of Games

Play Nice

by Jason Schreier • 2024

$80 million and seven years for a game that never shipped: the unraveling of Blizzard Entertainment.

4.16

7k+

🎮 Video Game Industry 🏢 Corporate Culture 💻 Tech Company Histories ⏰ Crunch Culture ⚠️ Workplace Misconduct

Play Nice 85%

$80 million and seven years for a game that never shipped: the unraveling of Blizzard Entertainment.

by Jason Schreier 2024

4.16

7k+ ratings

🎮 Video Game Industry 🏢 Corporate Culture 💻 Tech Company Histories ⏰ Crunch Culture ⚠️ Workplace Misconduct

Eurogames

by Stewart Woods • 2012

Postwar Germany rejected war games and invented a genre where elegance matters more than conquest.

3.78

137

🎓 Game Studies 🎲 Board Game Culture 📐 Game Design Theory 🧠 Player Psychology 📜 Game History

Eurogames 85%

Postwar Germany rejected war games and invented a genre where elegance matters more than conquest.

by Stewart Woods 2012

3.78

137 ratings

🎓 Game Studies 🎲 Board Game Culture 📐 Game Design Theory 🧠 Player Psychology 📜 Game History

Video Game Storytelling

by Evan Skolnick • 2014

Screenwriting's classic tools applied to games, so story and gameplay pull the same direction.

3.99

503

🎮 Game Writing 📖 Interactive Storytelling 📐 Story Structure 🧑 Character Arcs 🏛️ Mythic Structure

Video Game Storytelling 85%

Screenwriting's classic tools applied to games, so story and gameplay pull the same direction.

by Evan Skolnick 2014

3.99

503 ratings

🎮 Game Writing 📖 Interactive Storytelling 📐 Story Structure 🧑 Character Arcs 🏛️ Mythic Structure

Essential Poker Math, Expanded Edition

by Alton Hardin • 2016

Poker math that wins: equity, odds, bet sizing, and the shortcuts that replace a calculator.

4.19

670

🃏 Poker Strategy 🧮 Poker Mathematics 🃏 No Limit Holdem 🎲 Probability 🃏 Poker Fundamentals

Essential Poker Math, Expanded Edition Summary

Essential Poker Math, Expanded Edition 85%

Poker math that wins: equity, odds, bet sizing, and the shortcuts that replace a calculator.

by Alton Hardin 2016

4.19

670 ratings

🃏 Poker Strategy 🧮 Poker Mathematics 🃏 No Limit Holdem 🎲 Probability 🃏 Poker Fundamentals

Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker (D&B Poker Series)

by Jonathan Little • 2011

How your stack size, not your cards, should drive every tournament decision you make.

4.23

158

🃏 Poker Strategy 🏆 Tournament Poker 🎲 Probability And Odds ⚖️ Risk Management 🧮 Game Theory

Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker (D&B Poker Series) Summary

Secrets of Professional Tournament Poker (D&B Poker Series) 85%

How your stack size, not your cards, should drive every tournament decision you make.

by Jonathan Little 2011

4.23

158 ratings

🃏 Poker Strategy 🏆 Tournament Poker 🎲 Probability And Odds ⚖️ Risk Management 🧮 Game Theory

A Game Design Vocabulary

by Anna Anthropy • 2013

The grammar of game design: how to script a back-and-forth that players lose themselves in.

3.94

134

📗 Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧩 Game Systems 🧠 Player Experience 📖 Emergent Narrative

A Game Design Vocabulary 85%

The grammar of game design: how to script a back-and-forth that players lose themselves in.

by Anna Anthropy 2013

3.94

134 ratings

📗 Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🧩 Game Systems 🧠 Player Experience 📖 Emergent Narrative

Play Optimal Poker

by Andrew Brokos • 2019

Your equilibrium baseline: how to build it for protection, and when to abandon it for profit.

4.17

212

🃏 Poker Strategy 🎲 Game Theory 📊 Range Construction 🎯 Exploitative Play 🔢 Mathematical Poker

Play Optimal Poker 85%

Your equilibrium baseline: how to build it for protection, and when to abandon it for profit.

by Andrew Brokos 2019

4.17

212 ratings

🃏 Poker Strategy 🎲 Game Theory 📊 Range Construction 🎯 Exploitative Play 🔢 Mathematical Poker

Play to Learn

by Sharon Boller • 2017

The step-by-step playbook for designing learning games that slash training time and boost retention.

3.95

🎮 Game Design 🛠️ Instructional Design 🎲 Game-Based Learning 🎯 Serious Games 🏢 Corporate Training

Play to Learn 85%

The step-by-step playbook for designing learning games that slash training time and boost retention.

by Sharon Boller 2017

3.95

42 ratings

🎮 Game Design 🛠️ Instructional Design 🎲 Game-Based Learning 🎯 Serious Games 🏢 Corporate Training

Game Development Patterns and Best Practices

by John P. Doran • 2017

Design patterns that ship games: when to use each and how they prevent late-stage collapse.

3.90

🎮 Game Development 🧩 Design Patterns 🧹 Clean Code 🏗️ Software Architecture ⚡ Performance Optimization

Game Development Patterns and Best Practices Summary

Game Development Patterns and Best Practices 85%

Design patterns that ship games: when to use each and how they prevent late-stage collapse.

by John P. Doran 2017

3.90

20 ratings

🎮 Game Development 🧩 Design Patterns 🧹 Clean Code 🏗️ Software Architecture ⚡ Performance Optimization

Reality Is Broken

by Jane McGonigal • 2010

Games satisfy us more than reality does. That gap is a blueprint for a better world.

3.79

8k+

🎮 Game Design 🕹️ Gamification 🌞 Positive Psychology 🧠 Collective Intelligence 🌊 Flow Psychology

Reality Is Broken 85%

Games satisfy us more than reality does. That gap is a blueprint for a better world.

by Jane McGonigal 2010

3.79

8k+ ratings

🎮 Game Design 🕹️ Gamification 🌞 Positive Psychology 🧠 Collective Intelligence 🌊 Flow Psychology

A Lion's Tale

by Chris Jericho • 2007

Flea markets, circus tents, and a Japanese dojo: the unlikely apprenticeship of a WWE icon.

4.37

6k+

🤼 Pro Wrestling 🎬 Showbiz Memoirs 🏋️ Paying Dues 🛣️ Life On The Road 🎤 Backstage Stories

A Lion's Tale 85%

Flea markets, circus tents, and a Japanese dojo: the unlikely apprenticeship of a WWE icon.

by Chris Jericho 2007

4.37

6k+ ratings

🤼 Pro Wrestling 🎬 Showbiz Memoirs 🏋️ Paying Dues 🛣️ Life On The Road 🎤 Backstage Stories

Texas Hold'em Poker

by Paul Mendelson • 2005

Online poker is won before the flop: table selection, seat position, and the discipline to fold.

3.60

🃏 Online Poker 🏆 Tournament Poker 🌱 Beginner Poker 🧠 Poker Psychology 📊 Poker Mathematics

Texas Hold'em Poker 85%

Online poker is won before the flop: table selection, seat position, and the discipline to fold.

by Paul Mendelson 2005

3.60

65 ratings

🃏 Online Poker 🏆 Tournament Poker 🌱 Beginner Poker 🧠 Poker Psychology 📊 Poker Mathematics

Mastering Poker Math

by Charles W. Clayton • 2019

Forty percent of poker is math. Most players learn none of it. That edge is yours.

3.79

🃏 Poker Strategy ♠️ Texas Hold'em 🏆 Tournament Poker 🧮 Poker Mathematics 🎯 Game Theory

Mastering Poker Math 85%

Forty percent of poker is math. Most players learn none of it. That edge is yours.

by Charles W. Clayton 2019

3.79

33 ratings

🃏 Poker Strategy ♠️ Texas Hold'em 🏆 Tournament Poker 🧮 Poker Mathematics 🎯 Game Theory

Game Design Workshop

by Tracy Fullerton • 2008

The prototyping-first method that catches design disasters before you write a single line of code.

4.11

513

🎮 Game Design 📐 Rapid Prototyping 🔄 Iterative Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🌱 Emergent Gameplay

Game Design Workshop 85%

The prototyping-first method that catches design disasters before you write a single line of code.

by Tracy Fullerton 2008

4.11

513 ratings

🎮 Game Design 📐 Rapid Prototyping 🔄 Iterative Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🌱 Emergent Gameplay

Everybody Loses

by Danny Funt • 2026

Leagues bet on legal gambling. The payout: addiction, corruption, and a generation already hooked.

4.29

949

🎰 Sports Gambling 🔍 Investigative Journalism ⚠️ Gambling Addiction 🏟️ Sports Business 💼 Corporate Malfeasance

Everybody Loses 85%

Leagues bet on legal gambling. The payout: addiction, corruption, and a generation already hooked.

by Danny Funt 2026

4.29

949 ratings

🎰 Sports Gambling 🔍 Investigative Journalism ⚠️ Gambling Addiction 🏟️ Sports Business 💼 Corporate Malfeasance

Game Programming Patterns

by Robert Nystrom • 2011

The programming patterns that make game code resilient to change, and the ones that don't.

4.49

2k+

🎮 Game Programming 🧩 Design Patterns 🏗️ Software Architecture ⚡ Performance Optimization 🔗 Decoupling

Game Programming Patterns 85%

The programming patterns that make game code resilient to change, and the ones that don't.

by Robert Nystrom 2011

4.49

2k+ ratings

🎮 Game Programming 🧩 Design Patterns 🏗️ Software Architecture ⚡ Performance Optimization 🔗 Decoupling

Mathletics

by Wayne L. Winston • 2009

The math that proves punting is overrated, OBP beats slugging, and payroll barely matters.

3.78

527

🏟️ Sports Analytics 🎲 Game Theory 💰 Player Valuation 🎯 Probability In Sports 📈 Sports Economics

Mathletics 85%

The math that proves punting is overrated, OBP beats slugging, and payroll barely matters.

by Wayne L. Winston 2009

3.78

527 ratings

🏟️ Sports Analytics 🎲 Game Theory 💰 Player Valuation 🎯 Probability In Sports 📈 Sports Economics

The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design

by Mike Selinker • 2011

Designing a board game is designing an emotion. The craft of mechanics, pacing, and playtesting.

4.06

645

🎲 Board Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🔬 Playtesting 🧠 Player Psychology 🛠️ Prototyping

The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design Summary

The Kobold Guide to Board Game Design 85%

Designing a board game is designing an emotion. The craft of mechanics, pacing, and playtesting.

by Mike Selinker 2011

4.06

645 ratings

🎲 Board Game Design ⚙️ Game Mechanics 🔬 Playtesting 🧠 Player Psychology 🛠️ Prototyping

Winning Chess Strategies

by Yasser Seirawan • 1994

Turn chess into a science: squeeze space, target weaknesses, and trade into a winning endgame.

4.17

507

♟️ Chess Strategy 🧱 Pawn Structures ♞ Piece Activity 🛡️ Prophylaxis 🏁 Endgame Conversion

Winning Chess Strategies 85%

Turn chess into a science: squeeze space, target weaknesses, and trade into a winning endgame.

by Yasser Seirawan 1994

4.17

507 ratings

♟️ Chess Strategy 🧱 Pawn Structures ♞ Piece Activity 🛡️ Prophylaxis 🏁 Endgame Conversion

Knowing the Score

by David Papineau • 2017

The deepest truths about mind, ethics, and human potential are worked out on the pitch.

3.29

150

🎓 Philosophy Of Sport ⚖️ Sport Ethics 🧠 Sports Psychology 🧘 Mind-Body Connection 🎯 Skill Acquisition

Knowing the Score 85%

The deepest truths about mind, ethics, and human potential are worked out on the pitch.

by David Papineau 2017

3.29

150 ratings

🎓 Philosophy Of Sport ⚖️ Sport Ethics 🧠 Sports Psychology 🧘 Mind-Body Connection 🎯 Skill Acquisition

Shoe Dog

by Phil Knight • 2016

A fake name, bickering misfits, and 18 years of near-collapse: the Nike story.

4.46

375k+

🏢 Founder Memoir 💰 Bootstrapping 👟 Sports Business 💡 Innovation Culture 🤝 Radical Honesty

Shoe Dog 85%

A fake name, bickering misfits, and 18 years of near-collapse: the Nike story.

by Phil Knight 2016

4.46

375k+ ratings

🏢 Founder Memoir 💰 Bootstrapping 👟 Sports Business 💡 Innovation Culture 🤝 Radical Honesty

Dark Squares

by Danny Rensch • 2025

How a cult survivor built Chess.com, then faced the scandal that almost destroyed it.

4.37

716

🕉️ High-Control Groups ♟️ Competitive Chess 💻 Online Chess ⚖️ Ethics In Sports 💔 Trauma Recovery

Dark Squares 85%

How a cult survivor built Chess.com, then faced the scandal that almost destroyed it.

by Danny Rensch 2025

4.37

716 ratings

🕉️ High-Control Groups ♟️ Competitive Chess 💻 Online Chess ⚖️ Ethics In Sports 💔 Trauma Recovery

Sharp Sports Betting

by Stanford Wong • 2001

The break-even line isn't fifty percent; it's 52.4. A quantitative playbook for clearing it.

3.67

174

🎲 Advantage Gambling 📈 Market Efficiency 📐 Kelly Criterion 💰 Bankroll Management 📊 Statistical Modeling

Sharp Sports Betting 85%

The break-even line isn't fifty percent; it's 52.4. A quantitative playbook for clearing it.

by Stanford Wong 2001

3.67

174 ratings

🎲 Advantage Gambling 📈 Market Efficiency 📐 Kelly Criterion 💰 Bankroll Management 📊 Statistical Modeling

The Mental Game of Poker

by Jared Tendler • 2011

Poker's final edge: a mind that doesn't crack. A clinical system for tilt, fear, and confidence.

4.22

1k+

🧠 Sports Psychology ♠️ Poker 🎢 Emotional Regulation 😤 Tilt Management 💪 Performance Confidence

The Mental Game of Poker 84%

Poker's final edge: a mind that doesn't crack. A clinical system for tilt, fear, and confidence.

by Jared Tendler 2011

4.22

1k+ ratings

🧠 Sports Psychology ♠️ Poker 🎢 Emotional Regulation 😤 Tilt Management 💪 Performance Confidence

The Board Game Designer's Guide

by Joe Slack • 2017

Design the feeling first. A four-step cycle that turns a rough prototype into a hit.

3.71

🎲 Board Game Design 🔄 Iterative Design 😄 Player Experience ✂️ Prototyping 🧪 Playtesting

The Board Game Designer's Guide 84%

Design the feeling first. A four-step cycle that turns a rough prototype into a hit.

by Joe Slack 2017

3.71

82 ratings

🎲 Board Game Design 🔄 Iterative Design 😄 Player Experience ✂️ Prototyping 🧪 Playtesting

Is This Legal?

by Art Davie • 2014

73 minutes before airtime, the contract was unsigned. How a stubborn ad man birthed the UFC.

4.21

🥋 Mixed Martial Arts 💼 Sports Business 📖 Entrepreneurial Memoir 🏷️ Brand Creation 😱 Moral Panics

Is This Legal? 84%

73 minutes before airtime, the contract was unsigned. How a stubborn ad man birthed the UFC.

by Art Davie 2014

4.21

86 ratings

🥋 Mixed Martial Arts 💼 Sports Business 📖 Entrepreneurial Memoir 🏷️ Brand Creation 😱 Moral Panics

Compare Features	Free	Pro
📖 Read Summaries Read unlimited summaries. Free users get 3 per month
🎧 Listen to Summaries Listen to unlimited summaries in 40 languages	—
❤️ Unlimited Bookmarks Free users are limited to 4	—
📜 Unlimited History Free users are limited to 4	—
📥 Unlimited Downloads Free users are limited to 1	—

People love SoBrief

Join our global community of 600,000+ readers

★★★★★

This site is a total game-changer. I've been flying through book summaries like never before. Highly, highly recommend.

— Dave G

Worth my money and time, and really well made. I've never seen this quality of summaries on other websites. Very helpful!

— Em

Highly recommended!! Fantastic service. Perfect for those that want a little more than a teaser but not all the intricate details of a full audio book.

— Greg M