TLDR
Hidden gem novels like "Showing Up" explore the technical fun of poker while providing plenty of heart and character development.
Poker players and competitive poker spectators tend to be pretty different from book worms. If you’re a poker player or spectator, chances are your reading list is mostly comprised of online content such as Ignition’s poker cheat sheet, 10 rules for every poker player. Literature lovers, on the other hand, often read physical books like “Wuthering Heights” and “Mrs. Dalloway.”
Fortunately there is at least one instance where these worlds collide: novels about poker. As long as readers understand the basics of poker, they can appreciate the game as a plot device, symbol or insight into character development. For poker players and spectators, these novels celebrate the game while providing a healthy break from screens and tables.
To keep the list manageable and be respectful of your time, we selected the literal best of the best, the highest-rated novels from Goodreads’ list of best poker novels. Of these 34 entries, here are the five you should start with.
1. ‘Showing Up’
At The Rauch Review, we love highlighting hidden gems. “Showing Up” hasn’t been a big commercial hit, but it has extraordinarily high ratings. One reviewer wrote, “The witty banter is reminiscent of many a true poker game that will trigger fond memories for any reader who has sat around a table with a group of friends.” Beyond poker, the story has themes of grief, aging parents and romance.
2. ‘Bluff’
On the more popular end of the spectrum, we have this bestselling novel about a woman who uses her passion for poker as a tool for revenge. Fans of crime noir thrillers should also enjoy this title. As if the ratings weren’t enough of a sure bet, “Bluff” won the 2019 Dashiell Hammett Award for Literary Excellence in Crime Writing.
This novel combines tournament scenes, an odd setting and real poker advice interspersed with whacky stories off the table. It’s rare for a novel to actually teach poker lessons, so don’t forget about this hidden gem.
4. ‘A Poker Story’
Three kids grow up in the same New Jersey town, their lives woven together by poker, the mob and abuse. One reviewer described the novel as “The Sopranos” meets “Rounders.”
“Clarity & Connection” is at the top of my list to recommend to people when it comes to understanding their conscious and subconscious minds. Yung Pueblo prompts his self-exploration narrative in poetry style, pushing readers to examine their past and learn how to be at peace with it to grow into a new version of themselves. “Clarity and Connection” is the second book in Pueblo’s “Inward” series, focusing on heightening self-awareness and creating healthier patterns in your romantic partnerships.
Get recommendations on hidden gems from emerging authors, as well as lesser-known titles from literary legends.
