Editorials

“No-Limit Life is a psychological self-help book that highlights the author’s professional poker career on the World Poker Tour where in the year 2003 he was ranked as one of the TOP TEN tournament players in the world by Card Player Magazine. It shares the author’s roadmap to freedom through his Ten Commitments that helped him let go of the poisonous memories, thoughts, ideas and beliefs sabotaging his game and his life. The result is a radiant, contagious smile, a joyous mind-set and clear focus throughout a poker tournament or any other endeavor. A beautiful full color book with many cartoons and quotes from Shakespeare and others to help illustrate his points. No-Limit Life is easy to read and relate to.” — Amazon.com

Professional poker player Charlie Shoten’s book “No-Limit Life” is not a book for those seeking poker strategy. If you are seeking a little self-help and direction in life that you can apply dually to both life and poker – then grab this book for an uplifting read and exceptional pictures. Shoten’s book has made quite an impression among poker gurus – even prompting WPT founder Lyle Berman to purchase a dozen copies to share with his closest friends.

New York born Shoten is a former computer entrepreneur insurance executive who morphed into a professional poker player. This life altering change lead to great wealth for Shoten – but something was missing and he simply was not happy. Digging for an answer, he eventually discovered that his life was plagued by “basic problems” – preventing true happiness from emerging.

In 2002, Shoten placed his energies into playing No-Limit Holdem – cashing in at over 50 United States tournaments – but only after learning to manage the underlying problems that cast a shadow over his life and his game. Shoten’s psychological approach to life and poker is detailed throughout the book – in hopes that others will rise above using the same method that worked so well for him.

As a writer for Poker Player Newspaper, Shoten learned many life lessons from studying the positive feedback received from readers. Shoten has a list of 10 Commitments that are defined in the book and applicable to any facet of life from business to poker. Vince Burgio, Scotty Nguyen, and Carlos Mortensen are among the pros providing supportive commentary in the book.

Shoten shares the secret of what brought him to a point of rich life discovery. You’ll learn how to fight the demons – the “thought terrorists” that threaten every person from reaching their full potential. Shoten’s book is available for purchase or rent at several online outlets. — Launch Poker.com

Charles Shoten was born in The Bronx in 1937. He’s been playing poker most of his life. In fact, he started playing in home games when he was only five years old. Shoten has a degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. He is retired from a career as a life insurance executive. He owns wwpo.com, which is billed as an online information and resource portal.

After Shoten retired from the insurance industry in 1990, he moved to California. On the poker circuit, he went by the name “Scotty Warbucks,” because he didn’t want anyone to know he won a lot of money. That was until 2001, when he let his real name slip. That same year, Shoten started to learn how to play No-Limit Hold ‘em. The game apparently came naturally for him. The first time he played a No-Limit satellite, he won it and a buy-in to the Main Event at the Hustler Casino in Los Angeles. Shoten’s approach to poker and life are one in the same. He says there is no difference between becoming a better poker player and becoming a happier and better person.

Shoten decided to share his philosophy on life and poker in 2006. He wrote a book titled “No Limit Life.” The book chronicles his career, but it also gives advice on how to make your poker game and your life better by letting go of negativity. That philosophical approach has apparently worked in Shoten’s poker game. He made 19 final tables in 2003 alone, including a major World Poker Tour cash. Shoten placed second at the Borgata Poker Open that year, taking home $235,000. How does he do it? “I’m never hoping I win or lose,” Shoten says. “I’m trying to be in the moment and make the best choices.” — World Poker Tour.com