Betting on Yourself: Winning in Business, Poker, and the Age of AI
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
Pages: 236
Edition: 1
Copyright: 2026
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What if the skills you’ve been sharpening, under pressure, through daily work and grind, and through your setbacks, were preparing you for something greater?
In this book, Joe Matton, a Fortune 500 executive who became a WSOP champion, collaborates with Wayne “D22-soso” Chiang, a pioneer in esports and poker, to uncover the overlooked links between business, poker, and AI. Together, they delve into how effective risk-taking, solid decision-making, and leadership principles can empower you to excel in uncertain times.
As artificial intelligence transforms our reality, the ability to think clearly under pressure, discern subtleties, and act decisively is more crucial than ever. This book demonstrates how to cultivate that advantage through stories that challenge, inspire, and prepare you to lead with purpose.
This is more than a book about cards or corporate strategy. It’s a call to action for anyone standing at a crossroads—ready to pivot, rebuild, or rise. Through raw stories and powerful insights, Betting on Yourself invites you to embrace discomfort, trust your instincts, and play the game of life with courage, clarity, and integrity.
Because the most important bet you’ll ever make… is on you.
I'm Joe Matton, I come with 30 years of business experience at Johnson & Johnson. Beyond business and the boardroom, I’m an avid poker player, having claimed victory in a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event in Los Angeles, CA. I also share my passion for the game through my YouTube channel, where I explore strategy, competition, and the intellectual depth of poker. Follow along at @joemattonpoker.
Wayne “D22-soso” Chiang, an Esports Legend, formerly StarCraft: Brood War World Champion, #1 ranked in Command & Conquer and Warcraft II. In Magic: The Gathering, he invented Cube Draft, and was also a two-time Pro Tour competitor. D22-soso graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Economics. He spent over a decade as a high-stakes poker professional, then became co-owner of the Live at the Bike poker stream, later selling it to Bally’s Interactive. He now works for the World Series of Poker and holds patents for the casino games 2 Hand Hold’em and Badugi Chase, currently launching in multiple states and online. Follow along at @D22_soso
“I have always said that if you become good in poker, then you can become successful in business, and ai. The skillsets augur well. Joe and Wayne open the world’s eyes to these merging skill sets. Educational, practical and unforgettable knowledge!”
Phil Hellmuth
17x World Series of Poker Bracelet Winner
"Poker reveals character like few things can. Having worked with Joe, I’ve seen firsthand how his integrity and strategic clarity show up in both arenas. This book brilliantly connects the dots, showing how poker’s principles mirror high-stakes business decisions. Before you pursue your next big opportunity, read this!"
Hanjo Kim, M.D.
Adjunct Professor, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Director of Eight Plastic Surgery Seoul Korea
"Wayne is a true original. StarCraft legend. Followed the Rabbit. Met the Key Maker. Found the Poker. Beat the Poker. Followed the Rabbit again. Designed some games. Got patents for the games. A one-of-a-kind man. Protect him with all we got. Who makes games? Who?? Wayne! That’s who!! And now he has written this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy him. An officer and gentleman with a heart of gold."
Phil Laak, Games Player
"Wayne is a well-respected veteran of the game and has seamlessly integrated his poker prowess and knowledge into his business acumen. His insights are extremely valuable to navigating life both on and off the felt."
Maria Ho
Women in Poker Hall of Fame 2018
"We all want to be the best of the best businessperson, the best surgeon, the best poker player. Tru mastery -whether at the operating table, board room, or the poker table -is forged under pressure: it is the ability to execute the absolutely ordinary with unwavering precision while the rest of the room fills with panic, doubt, and fear."
Steven Williams, M.D.
Yale Trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, President Emeritus, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tri Valley Plastic Surgery
What if the skills you’ve been sharpening, under pressure, through daily work and grind, and through your setbacks, were preparing you for something greater?
In this book, Joe Matton, a Fortune 500 executive who became a WSOP champion, collaborates with Wayne “D22-soso” Chiang, a pioneer in esports and poker, to uncover the overlooked links between business, poker, and AI. Together, they delve into how effective risk-taking, solid decision-making, and leadership principles can empower you to excel in uncertain times.
As artificial intelligence transforms our reality, the ability to think clearly under pressure, discern subtleties, and act decisively is more crucial than ever. This book demonstrates how to cultivate that advantage through stories that challenge, inspire, and prepare you to lead with purpose.
This is more than a book about cards or corporate strategy. It’s a call to action for anyone standing at a crossroads—ready to pivot, rebuild, or rise. Through raw stories and powerful insights, Betting on Yourself invites you to embrace discomfort, trust your instincts, and play the game of life with courage, clarity, and integrity.
Because the most important bet you’ll ever make… is on you.
I'm Joe Matton, I come with 30 years of business experience at Johnson & Johnson. Beyond business and the boardroom, I’m an avid poker player, having claimed victory in a World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit event in Los Angeles, CA. I also share my passion for the game through my YouTube channel, where I explore strategy, competition, and the intellectual depth of poker. Follow along at @joemattonpoker.
Wayne “D22-soso” Chiang, an Esports Legend, formerly StarCraft: Brood War World Champion, #1 ranked in Command & Conquer and Warcraft II. In Magic: The Gathering, he invented Cube Draft, and was also a two-time Pro Tour competitor. D22-soso graduated from UC San Diego with a BA in Economics. He spent over a decade as a high-stakes poker professional, then became co-owner of the Live at the Bike poker stream, later selling it to Bally’s Interactive. He now works for the World Series of Poker and holds patents for the casino games 2 Hand Hold’em and Badugi Chase, currently launching in multiple states and online. Follow along at @D22_soso
“I have always said that if you become good in poker, then you can become successful in business, and ai. The skillsets augur well. Joe and Wayne open the world’s eyes to these merging skill sets. Educational, practical and unforgettable knowledge!”
Phil Hellmuth
17x World Series of Poker Bracelet Winner
"Poker reveals character like few things can. Having worked with Joe, I’ve seen firsthand how his integrity and strategic clarity show up in both arenas. This book brilliantly connects the dots, showing how poker’s principles mirror high-stakes business decisions. Before you pursue your next big opportunity, read this!"
Hanjo Kim, M.D.
Adjunct Professor, Yonsei University Severance Hospital, Director of Eight Plastic Surgery Seoul Korea
"Wayne is a true original. StarCraft legend. Followed the Rabbit. Met the Key Maker. Found the Poker. Beat the Poker. Followed the Rabbit again. Designed some games. Got patents for the games. A one-of-a-kind man. Protect him with all we got. Who makes games? Who?? Wayne! That’s who!! And now he has written this book. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy him. An officer and gentleman with a heart of gold."
Phil Laak, Games Player
"Wayne is a well-respected veteran of the game and has seamlessly integrated his poker prowess and knowledge into his business acumen. His insights are extremely valuable to navigating life both on and off the felt."
Maria Ho
Women in Poker Hall of Fame 2018
"We all want to be the best of the best businessperson, the best surgeon, the best poker player. Tru mastery -whether at the operating table, board room, or the poker table -is forged under pressure: it is the ability to execute the absolutely ordinary with unwavering precision while the rest of the room fills with panic, doubt, and fear."
Steven Williams, M.D.
Yale Trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, President Emeritus, American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Tri Valley Plastic Surgery