Music is the secret weapon of the poker player. Since I like you PL.com readers, but mostly because I'm getting paid to do it, I'm going to share with you my own secret weapons. Each style of music, or specific album, works best with a specific style of play. When you want to change gears, change albums. Here is my list of my personal Top 5 albums to rattle your brain with while at the table trick cards. 5) Ratatat - Classics Genre: Alternative/Rock/Beats Poker style: Relaxed, Tight, Conservative Recommended track for maximum poker earnings: "Loud Pipes" If you don't know them, Ratatat makes instrumental rock/beats. It's highly entertaining, while the lack of vocals allows it to be quality background music, limiting distraction. There are two bands I use for background music, Ratatat being one of them. For more passionate, vocal-free music you can also check out Explosions in the Sky. 4) Modest Mouse - The Lonesome Crowded West Genre: Alternative Poker style: Moderately Active, Aggressive, Tight Recommended track for maximum poker earnings: "Polar Opposites" Most of you will be familiar with this band's later works, as they actually got some mainstream radio play. Although their new stuff is good, it's notclose to being as powerful and enjoyable as their breakthrough 1997 indie rock classic, The Lonesome Crowded West. This album is more punky than their later works, but more alternative and creative than say earlier EPs like The Fruit That Ate Itself. This album is best served whole with an ample amount of volume. Enjoy the raw guitar with the unique voice of Isaac Brock as you rake in the pots infrared contact
lenses. 3) Wilderness Crew - S/T Genre: Hip Hop/Funk Poker style: Active, Aggressive, Strong, Solid Recommended track for maximum poker earnings: "The Push" Here's your chance to get on board with a band before they blow up (and they will). If you're looking for super chill, fun, upbeat, summer music, you really have to look no further than the still almost-unknown Wilderness Crew. This is my go-to album for poker. I almost always start my sessions with this album and frequently end them on it as well. Give it a listen, you won't be disappointed. 2) Rage Against the Machine - S/T Genre: Rock Poker style: Aggressive to Hyper-Aggressive/Nutbar Recommended track for maximum poker earnings: "Take the Power Back" Good poker players know that it's imperative they change gears. RATM is the go-to album for when you need to kick it into high gear and play some power poker. It has pure RTFO energy but keeps you in the 4/4 groove. 1) Van Morrison - Astral Weeks Genre: Soul Poker style: Calm, Tight, ABC, Patient Recommended track for maximum poker earnings: "Sweet Thing" This is a masterpiece of an album. If you haven't listened to it, I recommend you do so. If you don't want to take my word for it, check out possibly the sickest review of an album ever written. This brilliant essay was written by the greatest rock journalist of all time, Lester Bangs (You might remember Philip Seymour Hoffman's portrayal of Bangs in the movie Almost Famous). This album is a sedative for your soul. When you need to focus, keep grounded, and play smart, tight, ABC poker, this album is a great choice.
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