Maria Konnikova is an American writer, journalist, psychologist, and professional poker player. She is known for her non-fiction books that explore psychology, decision-making, and critical thinking, as well as her contributing work to various prominent publications.
Early Life and Education Konnikova was born in Moscow, Russia, and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of four. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and creative writing from Harvard University. She later earned a Ph.D. in psychology from Columbia University, where her research focused on decision-making and the psychology of uncertainty.
Writing Career Konnikova began her career as a journalist and science writer. Her work frequently explores psychological phenomena, the nature of belief, and cognitive biases. She is a regular contributor to The New York Times, and her articles have also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Slate, The New Republic, and The Paris Review, among others.
Her books include:
- Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes (2013): This book explores the cognitive techniques employed by the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, drawing on psychology and neuroscience to offer practical advice on improving observation, logic, and self-awareness.
- The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It Every Time (2016): Konnikova delves into the psychology of con artists and their victims, examining the human vulnerabilities that make people susceptible to manipulation and deception.
- The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win (2020): This memoir details her journey from a novice to a professional poker player, using the game as a lens to explore the interplay of skill, chance, and psychology in decision-making under uncertainty. The book evolved from her desire to understand the role of luck and skill in life.
Poker Career Motivated by the research for The Biggest Bluff, Konnikova began playing poker professionally in 2017 with the mentorship of poker legend Erik Seidel. Her intention was to apply her psychological insights into decision-making in a real-world, high-stakes environment. Within a year, she achieved significant success, including winning the 2018 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure (PCA) National Championship, which came with a coveted Platinum Pass to the PokerStars Players No Limit Hold'em Championship (PSPC). Her poker winnings quickly exceeded $300,000, solidifying her status as a professional player. She has continued to play professionally and write about her experiences, demonstrating the practical application of her psychological theories.
Bibliography
- Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes (Viking, 2013)
- The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It Every Time (Viking, 2016)
- The Biggest Bluff: How I Learned to Pay Attention, Master Myself, and Win (Penguin Press, 2020)