The Hot Hand

How the Search for a Missing War Hero, Shakespeare’s Lucky Flea, a Wall Street Champion, Three Guys in Front of a TV and a Series of Long, Long Shots Reveal the Hidden Secrets of the Winning Streak

Ben Cohen

Recommended By

Book Reviews

Anthony Pompliano: ["I've really enjoyed it and highly recommend!"](https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/1301137301607714816\)

Book Synopsis

"The Hot Hand" by Ben Cohen delves into the fascinating phenomenon of streaks and its implications in the world of sports. Cohen explores the belief in 'the hot hand' - that players who have experienced success are likely to continue performing well. Through extensive research and interviews with athletes, coaches, and statisticians, Cohen investigates the validity of this notion and its influence on professional basketball.

In this thought-provoking analysis, Cohen includes engaging storytelling to highlight memorable moments in sports history and the uncanny performances that have defied statistical odds. He examines the scientific explanations behind streaks, including the role of psychology and the human drive for patterns.

Additionally, Cohen offers a critical examination of how the hot hand belief impacts decision-making in sports and beyond. He uncovers the paradoxical nature of streaks, where the faith in a hot hand influences players and teams yet can also disrupt rhythm and hinder performance.

Ultimately, "The Hot Hand" challenges our common assumptions about winning streaks and redefines our understanding of luck, skill, and the complex interplay between the two. With thoughtful analysis and captivating storytelling, Cohen provides readers with a refreshing exploration of streaks in sports and their wider implications.

Explore More Books

See All
Obvious Adams
The Airbnb Story
Leadership
The Mythical Man-Month
Diaminds
The War for Kindness
Changing Minds
Children of Dune
The Intel Trinity
What Do You Care What Other People Think?
Future Forward
Principles for Dealing With The Changing World Order
Failure Is Not An Option
The Cancer Code
Rich Woman
Consider Phlebas
Brave New Medicine
The Art of People
Dictionary of Untranslatables
Abundance
Karl Marx's Theory of History
Fooled By Randomness
Carry on, Jeeves
American Lion
The Sixth Man
The Real Crash
The Bitcoin Standard
On Writing
The First Conspiracy
Wanting
Keeping At It
Harry Potter
The Hunt for Red October
Nourishing Traditions
The Evolution of Cooperation
God's Debris
Made to Stick
The Story of Civilization
Bitcoin is Venice
The Promise of a Pencil
In Praise of Shadows
Lives of the Eminent Philosophers
Beyond Good and Evil
Sit Like a Buddha
The (Mis)Behavior of Markets
The Perfect Bet
To Kill a Mockingbird
Bird by Bird
The World Crisis
The Hobbit
Factfulness
Indigenous Continent
The Gift
The River War
Burn
Getting Things Done
Moorish Spain
Rational Decisions
Living With A SEAL
I Am Not a Tractor
The Art of War
How Asia Works
The Knowledge
Hug Your Haters
Complexity
The Path to Love
Drive
Elon Musk
Merchants of Doubt
Vitamania
Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953
My Years with General Motors
Resistance (At All Costs)
The Snow Leopard
Mistakes Were Made (But Not By Me)
Dealing with Darwin
The Great War of Our Time
In Pursuit of Happiness and Good Government
Lifespan
Numbers Don't Lie
The Golden Trade of the Moors
Revolution
Startup Playbook
Scotland
The Story of Civilization: The Age of Napoleon
Creation
The Unwritten
Alice in Wonderland
The Fiat Standard
Lean In
ANSI Common Lisp
How Innovation Works
Law, Legislation, and Liberty
Give and Take
Now, Discover Your Strengths
The Spy and The Traitor
Body by Science
Intellectuals and Race
The Rosie Effect
Plowman's Folly