5 comments about How to Beat Sit 'n' Go Poker Tournaments.

1. Thought it was well written and easy to understand i only play for fun so this type of book was ideal for me, to many time i have bought a poker book only to find there was writting for a A+ math student to understand. The only thing that disappointed me was the "in the money chapter" which i though could have been longer, other than that, some great advice on what hands i should start playing at what stage of the tournamnet ect. good read all in all.



2. This book is an excellent guide for people who wish to understand core concepts of sit and go-s and want thorough help how to play them. The style is simple and easy to understand. It covers every major aspects of the game and is an excellent starting book for novices to sit and go-s.



3. There is money to be made in low level poker tournaments. "How to Beat Sit & Go Poker Tournaments: A No-Limit Hold'Em Guide to Beating Sit & Gos" is a guide to winning these sit & go tournaments. The most common form of these tournaments exist online and take only one or two hours, yet can be very lucrative if one takes into account the strategies found in this guide. Examining the flaws in failed strategies while providing alternatives and more successful tactics, "How to Beat Sit & Go Poker Tournaments: A No Limit Hold'Em Guide to Beating Sit & Gos" is highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their game.



4. On the plus side, this book is a very quick and easy read, and probably improved my game fairly immediately.
   
   On the minus side, that's about all it's good for. It has no depth nor detail.
   
   I recommend breezing through this book quickly if you're a beginner (preferably through your library), then pick up Collin Moshman's book: Sit 'n Go Strategy.



5. i bought this wanting to improve my game and learn some solid advice on how to play sit and go tournamnets.
   The book gave a good understanding of the aggression needed around the bubble and some good concepts you need to know around this stage of the tournament.
   I feel my game improved 8 fold after reading this and found it a pleasant read.

5 comments about One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey ',The Kid', Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player.

1. One of if not the best poker related book I have ever read (I have read more than I care to mention lol). If you are a Stuey fan you won't find a more accurate entertaining account of his tragic yet triumphant life.



2. This book was a lot of fun to read and very interesting. Once I started reading it I could not put it down. If you have been reading a lot of poker books you will enjoy this book. This book is an easy read compared to the poker strategies books. It is full of people in the poker world that were involved with Stu in one way or another. People like Mike Saxton and Doyle Brunson that tried to stop Stu Unger from his destructive path. This is a very interesting and sad story. Buy this book and read it. I think you like it.



3. It wouldn't end well. I knew that when I purchased this book. How could a man succeed so well in poker -- a game that requires heart, stamina, incredible focus, uncanny ability to read people, discipline and intense mathematical analysis -- and fail so badly at life? Nolan Dalla captures Unger so well that I felt as if I was another of Unger's friends, watching his life unravel. Dalla skillfully peels away Unger's layers, until beneath all the bravado, genius, and generosity we see not a man, but a little boy; probably a traumatized boy desperately trying to outrun his demons. When he could no longer outrun them by chasing escalating gambling highs, he escapes into drug addiction. Knowing how the book would end, I couldn't help but root for Unger. But Dalla does not stop with Unger, we experience the frustrations, disappointments and horror of Unger's friends and family, whom Dalla thoroughly interviewed. Like any child, Unger is singularly insensitive to the needs of those around him. As exhaustive and painful as this book was proving to be, I couldn't put it down. That's a great credit to Dalla.



4. Well, the book starts quite entertaining but after a while you get bored a bit by reading the same story again and again. Stuey made big money at poker / Rummy and then lost in on sports betting /horse races immediately after.
   
   But, well, that was his life after all.
   
   Definitely an interesting read and also a warning about how gambling and drugs can destroy a man, even a brilliant one ..



5. I could not put this book down. It tells everything as honestly as possible without glamorizing his life.
   Some lines of great poker advice, too.

1 comments about Rustic Garden Furniture & Accessories: Making Chairs, Planters, Birdhouses, Gates & More.

1. Great ideas and tips with 144 pages of color photos and tinted drawings.
   The cover is not my favorite example of the variety of styles of natural
   wood applications illustrated inside.

5 comments about Learn Bridge in One Hour: Learn in Ten Easy Steps.

1. Hooray! I have searched for a book like this for a long time! I have examined quite a large number of books that purport to teach Bridge, but I have always found them confusing and obtuse in their delivery. 'Learn Bridge in One Hour' is entirely different. It not only delivers the goods, but does so in a light and engaging style.
   
   I think it's greatest strength is that it breaks the game down into essentials and delivers them in bite-sized pieces so that the ideas are easily digested. The book is aptly named, as a new player really can truly begin to play the basic game in only an hour. This allows the learner to feel successful and so creates a pleasurable experience in learning and playing the game right from the start. As common sense would suggest, if you like something, you will want to do it again.
   
   Thank you Mr Riad. I love your book. You have created a wonderful way to 'step' into the fun of the game with easy, clear steps. My search is over!



2. Bridge can be a daunting game. This book helped to take that fear away and get me started. OK - maybe you won't be playing like a pro in one hour - but the most important thing is to get started and then practice. This book takes you by the hand with step by step instructions and photos to make it easy. Bridge is a challenging, complicated, and intellectual game and it was intimidating for me. Not anymore - thanks to this author!!!



3. Gives a novice a good start to learning bridge. Is easy to understand.



4. I joined an already active playing group and felt out of sorts because I did not understand the logic. I quit because the group had no time to start all over to walk me through it--they were busy enjoying playing. This books starts at the beginning and leads you through step by easy step.
   Now I am ready to call in a few people who also want to learn to play.--and I will soon be able to go back to the first group I played with---with a lot more confidence.



5. Very good basic bridge book. Lets one learn the basics without a lot of distracting verbiage. I will also use it as a reference book.

5 comments about Mathematical Puzzles: A Connoisseur's Collection.

1. this book is interesting and challenging, even to people who have studied math at the college level. the problems are short, and take about an hour to solve, at least they did for me. it was a great read and i highly recommend this as a gift for the math lover in your life.



2. I have seen the word connoisseur used to describe collections before, but when I sat down to write this review I realized that I did not know the precise usage of the term. Therefore, I pulled out my Webster's dictionary and looked it up. It was "a person who has expert knowledge and keen discrimination in some field, esp. the fine arts or in matters of taste." In terms of keen discrimination, the term applies to the puzzles in this book. They are some of the best puzzles ever published, although those who follow the field will have seen many before, although perhaps in an altered form.
   However, expert knowledge is not required to understand and solve the puzzles. The level of mathematical knowledge is that of detailed knowledge of basic algebraic and reasoning techniques. Like the very best puzzles, solving them requires a bit of "sideways" thinking. In other words, the most obvious approach to a puzzle will most likely lead to bafflement, but if you look at it just the right way, the solution is obvious. Furthermore, once the inspiration arrives, you know that you indeed have the solution.
   In all honesty, I struggled with many of these puzzles. Sometimes, I was just being stupid, and other times I doubt if the solution would have ever managed to form in my thoughts. Fortunately, solutions to nearly all of the problems are included. The final chapter contains unsolved puzzles, which seems like a bit of a misnomer, and in a real sense it is. These are really unsolved problems, their topic is just one that fits inside what is generally considered the puzzle genre.
   I loved this book, even when I was so frustrated I wanted to chop it with my very sharp axe. These puzzles will stretch you to the breaking point, which is of course a prerequisite for being among the best ever created.
   
   Published in Journal of Recreational Mathematics, reprinted with permission.



3. An interesting aspect of this puzzle book is that the sections on the solutions are longer than those describing the problems! More than most puzzle books, you will find solutions described in great detail. The solutions in fact are the best part of the book!
   
   Many of these puzzles are unbelievably difficult. In fact the last chapter contains a list of "unsolved puzzles", which is an amusing idea. Mathematicians will spend hours poring over these puzzles. This is distinctly different from any puzzle book I have ever bought! It is more for the mathematically inclined.



4. This book mainly requires that you be at ease with mathematics and mathematical terms on the level of a high school student. The solutions don't involve long calculations and calculus books. They are brain teasers that often require out-of-the-box thought and creativity. They are excellent for computer science students studying the theory of algorithms, because often the same thought process that goes into solving the more difficult problems in that field are applicable to the puzzles in this book. The puzzles can be very difficult, and several were without solution for a very long time. There is also a group of Unsolved Puzzles at the end of the book.



5. Enjoyed the book a lot. I sometimes found the questions a bit hard to understand but that I guess that is done intentionally.

3 comments about Beating Unusual Chess Openings: Dealing With the English, Reti, King's Indian Attack and Other Annoying Systems (Everyman Chess).

1. I think that book is very good, especially lines with 1.c4 c5 and black answer on 1.b3. It is the light to go forward through dark english woods.



2. As most people should be aware Richard Palliser writes excellent chess books and this book is no exception. He covers all possible Black defences to all non-e4 and non-d4 openings. Three openings are covered in particular detail, as you might expect the English, Reti and Kings Indian Attack. In general, as Palliser states he concentrates on fairly solid lines for Black e.g. Symmetrical English. In most lines he does also include a secondary option to try and get White away from the types of positions he would be familar with. Pallisers coverage is to the usual high standard. For example, as he is aware that many English players use Kosten's excellent "Dynamic English" book, the lines Kosten recommends are examined in great detail. Similarly for the recent book on the Reti by Davies. Also, part of the problem for Black with the English/Reti openings are the many transpositional possibilities that arise. Palliser does a great job dealing with this. With the Reti he gives coverage for the three major black replies 1...c5, 1...d5 and 1...Nf6 carefully noting transpositions between the three and the symmetrical English. There is a lot of detailed analysis in this book but I still think Palliser has enough explaination of the typical plans and ideas in each line.
   Under the "annoying" systems Birds, Nimzo-Larsen, Sokolsky, Grob, 1g3 and 1Nc3 are all given substantial coverage with both a solid line and a more tricky variation. Each chapter is excellent, giving you a detailed understanding of the opening. The 1Nc3 chapter is particularly interesting considering how new this system is. Again, any recent books on these openings have been checked by Palliser. In conclusion I would recommend this book to club/tournment players (with rating 1600 - 2000) to fill an important gap in your Black repertoire.



3. I have come to admire Richard Palliser's writing incredibly. I was first introduced to his writing when I picked up his book Tango! A Complete Defence to 1.d4 and was blown away the clarity of his explanations while simultameously giving fresh original analyses. And this is what this book does! The reason white plays The Bird, Grob, Nimzo-Larsen, or English is to take black off his familiar territory and take him into a game in which he has a better understanding of the positions. Well the lines against the system actually do that to white! They are completely original and unsuspecting and perfectly sound and playable to secure that win you need in the last round of a tournament. All in all, a good study of this book and it is you that is going to be giving the problems to white. An excellent book to complete one's repertoire. Very clearly analyzed and the explanations are brilliant. I would also SERIOUSLY consider Tango! A Complete Defence to 1.d4 as I have been crushing 1.d4 players because of it- seriously no joke. I've always found 1.d4 incredibly annoying to play against and I've tried every defence known to man. That is until I found Tango! Now hardly anyone plays 1.d4 against me now as the no the fate that awaits them from previous tournaments. I look foward from more writing of Richard Palliser.

No comments about Player's Handbook - Deluxe Edition: A 4th Edition Core Rulebook (D&D Core Rulebook).

No comments about Collage Journeys: A Practical Guide to Creating Personal Artwork.

5 comments about No-Limit Texas Hold'em: A Complete Course.

1. This is absolutely the best book in the world for 1-2 and 2-5 live NL games with a 100 blind capped buy in. Period. It's not for online, it's not for higher stakes, and it's not for uncapped games. For the standard low limit NL games spread in B&M, this is the best. Anybody who doesn't think so is probably playing a style with a winrate less than half of what I or Angel make.



2. I had the opportunity to take Angel's course while living in Las Vegas so the book only helps reinforce concepts I learned in his group seminar 3 day course.
   
   Angel's the kind of guy you may have to see "live" in person to truly appreciate, although his book does a good job of demonstrating his knowledge.
   
   The guy has totally mastered the "low limit no limit" game.
   
   If you want to play at "no limit" tables where buy-ins are limited to no more than say $300, then BUY THIS BOOK and MEMORIZE IT.
   
   Players at low limit no limit have a totally different mentality. Angel has figured out that mental approach and will help you capitalize on it.
   
   I've said enough. I actually wish Angel hadn't published all of his secrets in this book!
   
   (p.s. stop complaining about the title--you can't judge a book...)



3. Turned the game arround - simple easy to read and accurate
   will work if you want it



4. This is an excellant book for two reasons: 1) It is well organized and well written and 2) it is about LOW-LIMIT NO-LIMIT (LLNL). There is a world of difference between no-limit (NL), low-limit (LL), and low-limit no limit (LLNL) Hold'Em!!!
   
   Many beginners simply believe that if a casino table has "low-limit" in the name, it is a "low-limit" game and that the strategies are the same for all "low-limit" type games: wrong-o!!!
   
   This book also offers very good advise that every "beginner" should benefit from and information that those who play "LLNL" must know.
   
   If you plan on playing "LLNL" Hold'Em, this book, in my humble opinion, is a must read. You pocket book with thank you.



5. I have to say I was quite dissapointed in this book. It claims to be geared to loose low limit NL but anyone who has spent anytime playing live will tell you everyone calls pre-flop in these games and no one folds so your elegant bluff will be wasted on people who will stick around with third pair on a paired board cause after all "I got two pair!" I found How To Dominate 1 and 2 Nl Hold Em, by Sam O Connor to be a much better work.

5 comments about Zurich International Chess Tournament, 1953.

1. I like the games in this book. They are from some of the strongest players in one of the strongest tournaments. Though the analysis to the games seems accurate, I found that some times there was no explanation of things that I had a question about. And the analysis and ideas would lose me at times. Not all that clear.



2. This book is constantly reviewed in glowing terms. In my opinion, this exalted status is not at all warranted. Yes, this was a great tournament with many games of very high quality. Yes, Bronstein is a brilliant and imaginative player who writes well. Furthermore, I definitely applaud Bronstein's goal "to avoid weighing down his book with variations." Nothing is more annoying than an anno-Fritzed game where the mass of variations cannot be untangled to understand the position.
   
   However, Bronstein errs way too far in the other direction. Many games are "annotated" with no variations at all, with Bronstein relying instead on overly wordy evaluations of positions which do not allow the reader to form an objective opinion. General principles unsupported by any concrete variations are even more unhelpful than too many variations.
   
   For example, compare the analysis of Geller-Euwe, Euwe-Najdorf, Averbakh-Kotov and Keres-Smyslov in Bronstein's book with the analysis of these games in "The World's Greatest Chess Games", and there is simply no comparison. The modern approach by Burgess and Nunn of providing enough variations to allow concrete understanding is overwhelmingly better than Bronstein's discussions of the same games. The game collections of Kotov (Grandmaster at Work), Averbakh (Averbakh's Selected Games), Smyslov (125 Games) and Taimanov (Taimanov's Selected Games) contain games from this tournament, and all of them do a much better job of annotating and explaining than Bronstein.
   
   Overall, I have to go against the consensus and rate Bronstein's book as mediocre. (Don't lynch me.)



3. Excellent, chatty entertaining annotations. Elucidates the evolution of the philosophy underlying chess strategy in excellent prefaces.



4. This is perhaps the greatest tournament book ever written. Bronstein's his psychological insights into the thinking processes of strong GMs make this book a must-have for players of all strengths.
   
   In particular, players of sub-2200 rating will find this book a treasure and a careful study will certainly enhance your understanding of the game. For a creative and tactical genius, Bronstein does not weigh down the book with detailed variation analyses, but focusses on the broad thinking of positional and strategic matters.
   
   Kotov in his classic "Think Like a Gramdmaster" quotes freely from this book.
   
   The easy, conversational style of the annotations makes it a pleasure. Witness this (I am not quoting from memory here) - "It is time to introduce the reader to the secret of the backward d6 pawn in the King's India Defence...". The paragraph that follows is a deep insight into one of the fundamental positions of the KID.
   
   Buy this book. You will be much the better player for it.



5. It has been said that this book is best for players of at least 1600 strength, due to the positional nature of the games presented and the relative lack of annotated variations. However I feel the book is excellent for anyone about 1200 or higher and I offer the following concrete reasons.
   
   1. The book serves as a fine introduction to the concepts of positional play. That is, by carefully going through the games, you will learn about positional thinking. A second or even third run-through will reinforce these ideas and they will begin to make sense.
   
   2. The narrative explanations are actually better for a lower rated player because they are easier to follow and understand. The lower player gets lost in a maze of variants.
   
   3. If something is not clear (this happened to me in many places, of course) then put it on your computer and explore the situation with the help of Fritz or some other engine. Clarity will not always come but plenty of learning will take place.
   
   4. I think most important of all the book gives the lower player something to strive for. The feeling, after repeated study of the games, of "a light going on" is something that I really appreciated. This is learning of the best kind.
   
   Though the lower player has to spend most study time on tactics, one good book of GM games to study is important. This can easily be that book.