As poker theory develops, the field is becoming more abstruse and mathematical; gradually becoming less accessible to the layperson. The book the Intelligent Poker Player by Philip Newall aims to reverse this trend by presenting a cohesive and sophisticated method of play in plain English. This approach, in principle, can be used to analyze any form of poker, although this book mainly shows applications in the popular forms of limit an no-limit hold'em.

The Intelligent Poker Player is also the first book to discuss the emergent field of artificial poker intelligence - otherwise known as poker robots. The best computers are capable of playing heads-up limit hold'em at a world class level, and this book deconstructs some interesting features of their play.

And finally, professional poker is a risky career choice. So in addition to the strategy chapters which include topics such as "Information Hiding," "Middle Game Concepts," and "No-Limit Hold'em: Applications and Extensions," the author will show how to mitigate avoidable risks with topics such as "Bankroll Management and Shot Selection," "Risk Preferences," "Psychological Biases," "Investing," and "Predicting Future Poker Returns."