5 comments about The Tao Of Poker: 285 Rules to Transform Your Game and Your Life.

1. "The Tao of Poker" will transform and mold your thoughts on poker like Sun Tzu's The Art of War does for generals. This is not to say that the author provides concrete X's & O's strategies for winning, but rather illustrates the proper mindset to approach the game. Concepts like mentally focusing, planning, and how to manage your bankroll are introduced. For instance, after big wins in Texas Hold Em tournaments, I often "recycled" my money into higher money games, generally losing it. One of Phillips suggestions is to pocket a certain percentage of any big win, take a walk and come back refreshed. While I think most of the precepts in the book are just common sense to any moderate skill player, the book also advocates a certain philosophy to playing the game of poker, one that is useful from the novice to pro player.



2. I was vaguely aware of Larry Phillips and his "Tao" and "Zen" of poker before I decided to purchase them both a couple of weeks ago. As the reader probably knows, Steve Dannenman was carrying Tao around with him during the World Series this year. I will admit that this one isn't going to allow you to finish second out of a crowd of 5,000, but it is chock full of common sense which is exactly what one wants from an instructional guide. Phillips is no cardroom flunky, he is an erudite student who knows a little bit about everything; a renaissance man offering intimate insight on poker and human nature. I must say that several of the rules he offers are not consistent with conventional wisdom, but I agree with Phillips over the others. The notion that hot and cold streaks are the imagination of the individual player is often accepted, but Tao convincingly argues otherwise. Bad luck can last a few weeks no matter how many times you switch seats or tables. An example of his valuable perspective is evident in Rule 166 or the 75% rule. All he recommends here is that you book a win once you give back 25% of it. Those words are very wise and very accurate as greed is the death of every entrepreneur (which is the most charitable way of describing those of us joined at the felt to this glorious game). Phillips is a firm believer that emotions and the mental state of the player are a key variable in terms of who comes out a winner or a loser. Just about everything here is quietly valuable. Few of the things he says will make you exclaim "Wow!" but nearly all of them will make you a sounder player.



3. keep or buy Zen, dump Tao. This book has nothing much to add.



4. I am not a Zen kind of guy and was avoiding this book for that reason alone. I bought it based on the recommendation of another player that I met at a tournament, and am glad I did! Chock full of common sense advice that would take you a lifetime of playing to gain (if then). To my relief it is not some sort of "touchy feely," liberal nonsense book, but real poker wisdom, offered in a enjoyable format.



5. This book combines philosophy, psychology and poker into an easy to read format that is thought provoking and fun. Does teach a few important lessons to help your game but more so about how to help your life.

5 comments about Play Poker Like Johnny Chan, Book One: Casino Poker.

1. A solid "how-to" guide co-written by the highly-regarded poker player Johnny Chan, whose titles include 2002 WSOP Match Play NLH Champion and 2003 WSOP No Limit Hold-em Champion among many others, Play Poker Like Johnny Chan: Book One Casino Poker is a simple guide to poker basics for players who are out to win. Chapters discuss general poker concepts for the uninitiated, and the rules and favorable versus unfavorable situations for many poker variants including Limit Hold-em, Seven Card Stud, Eight Or Better Stud, Omaha High, Omaha Hi-Low, and No-Limit Hold-em. Some background information on tournaments and internet poker is included, as is general (and very sound) strategy advice for the would-be career poker player, as well as a mentions of famous and skilled individuals Chan has played with. Notably absent from Play Poker Like Johnny Chan is any in-depth discussion of card-counting or related mathematical methodology; it is primarily an introductory guide to give the reader a hands-on understanding of game mechanics as well as the importance of the professional mindset. Chan's key rules - keep playing when you are winning, stop when you are losing, stay to an environment where you feel comfortable, take a vacation from poker when you need it (never try to win the money needed for a vacation from poker when you need one, that's a certain way to burnout), and discipline yourself to move back down to smaller tables when you're losing at big tables - are vital and should be taken to heart by all prospective professional poker players. Full-color photographs illustrate this handy primer, which is printed on glossy paper.



2. Saw this book on amazon.com and figured, what the hell, I'll buy it and see what happens. Got it a week later, read the section on limit hold em first, since that's about the only game I play well, and was surprised my gameplay was very different to what was mentioned. After reading it and trying out the different techniques, I was pleasantly surprised to see my profits increasing. Well worth the price and the time to read. Have since read through the other sections and am finding myself getting some good earnings in Omaha and 5 card stud as well, although 5 card stud is a bit tricky.
   I definitely believe this book is good for beginners and advanced players alike. Well written, easy to read, clear illustrations and excellent presentation overall.



3. This a beautifully produced, pricey paperback covering the poker games that Chan plays. Of course, he doesn't just play, he wins big. By my count, he's won ten WSOP events.
   
   The book is something of a scrapbook of poker photos, with strategies on many poker games: basically stud, omaha, both high and high low, as well as limit and no-limit Texas hold'em. He describes his thinking as a hold'em hand progresses -- very useful.
   
   By the way, there is little math in book, so if you're looking for the clearest expression of pot odds, implied odds, look elswhere. (For a book that leads you safely through the odds jungle, see Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker by King Yao.)
   
   Remember the list price is $30. The qualiy paper and color photos cost more. In fact, even the hands are shown in color photographs.
   
   This is a worthwhile book with insights from a successful player, covering too many kinds of poker to be the ultimate in-depth guide to any one of them. Yet it scores in readability way above the serious classics by Sklansky, Malmuth and others.
   
   It's not the best first book on poker as it's too advanced for a beginner, but it may well be the best second one.



4. This is the best beginner/intermediate book that I have seen. It covers all the popular poker games of the day plus general tips on all the games and how to play at a Casino. John also discusses some of the great players he has played against. I must mention the paper is excellent (no cheap stuff here) and the illustrations (photos?) of the cards make it very easy to use. Highly recommended



5. When I first started playing poker, I had difficulty whenever someone called my pre-flop raise. An interesting piece of advice from Chan himself was to do a continuation bet; in short, to always bet on the flop if you raised preflop, with the exception being when you flop quads or a straight flush. I had not been doing this, so I employed it and I can safely say that it was a highly effective strategy.
   
   Now, I'm not claiming that this advice is exclusive to Chan, or that he made it up or that it's some big secret, but to a new player just learning and having difficulty, employing this advice and at times against my better judgment revealed that it's very effective, and because I got this advice from Chan, I got this book (years later) because in my eyes, Chan was 1 for 1 on good advice given to me.
   
   At first I was a bit disappointed in that many of the tips and advice I had already learned for myself. However, Chan goes on to give strategies, once again, that I had overlooked. Advice on "second best" hands where you trap yourself is rock solid, as is the advice on mid-range suited connectors. I deliberately and intentionally applied the advice on suited connectors which had been previously contrary to my play style and ended up winning 2 tournaments and numerous additional hands by following his advice. The book paid for itself in one session. I can absolutely guarantee that I would not have won these hands in question without Chan's advice.
   
   Having said that, the book tries to be all things to all games and suffers from not having the depth that Chan is more than capable of exploring. All sections are a minority and are largely unrelated. I have no use for advice on Omaha or 7stud so there goes 44 pages I don't need. I don't play 8 or better stud so there's another 18 pages. People that Johnny has played with and giving shout-outs to doesn't help my game... that's another 28 pages. What to expect at a casino (I already know) that's 9 pages. You get the picture.
   
   
   In spite of this, the advice on NLHE is short, but sweet. There are a couple of good tips, and they alone have potential to substantially increase your revenue. In the end it hardly matters if 20 pages of solid game improving advice is shorter than 900 pages of solid advice; if your play is improved and it makes you money, then it's worth it.
   
   But rather than to add filler outside of specific playing advice, Chan makes good points about playing when you're winning vs. when you're losing. I'm not talking about tilting, but rather Chan's consideration of factors to your play that you're not aware of, and how to exploit these unknowns even if you don't understand them. I appreciate how Chan is sensitive to the notion of factors that one may not be aware of but can recognize as having impact on play by their results, and how to counter or capitalize on this depending upon how you're affected.
   
   This is a 5 star book, but I give it four stars simply from my own perspective in that I learned everything the book could teach me in my experience, all in one sitting. I know Chan knows a lot more, and could have included a lot more, but for an intermediate player (especially HORSE players), this book has a lot to offer even if too diverse to be elaborate on a single subject.

5 comments about Play Poker Like a Pigeon (And Take The Money Home).

1. This has got to be the best-written poker book since A. Alvarez's classic The Biggest Game in Town. The author is a poker pro with 30 years spent at the tables. He has played with the greats, including the legendary Stuey "the kid" Ungar. (By the way, Ungar's biography One of a Kind: The Rise and Fall of Stuey ',The Kid', Ungar, The World's Greatest Poker Player is wonderful and heart breaking.)
   
   Mr. Anonymous has written a book focusing mainly on deception in the game -- how you can convince the other players you're a pigeon while scooping up their chips. He applies this to limit play, but I think it could be modified for no limit as well. (The author disagrees with that.)
   
   There is an excellent section on the math of poker and when chasing is right and when it's not.
   
   In this book, there is a catch, though: the unnamed author argues that the only live limit games are profitable in the long run. Yep, no online, no no-limit, no big tournaments, no TV face time.
   
   That, for me, is the unhappy ending.
   
   Brilliantly written, controversial, DIFFERENT kind of poker book.



2. Poker geeks will be able to figure out who this guy is and I'm sure that Doyle and the boys are enjoying a good laugh over it. The guy is funny and I'm pretty sure that he's telling the truth.
   
   I would also like to read a book detailing his experiences "back in the day" with all the made-by-ESPN famous names. His critique of "Super System" and his straight-forward accounts of the realities of the WSOP and online poker rooms are devasting and funny.
   
   On a real-life, how-is-this-going-to-help-my-game basis, his book illuminated several real-life players at my local card room and I now understand where they are coming from much better. That's gotta help!



3. This book is the biggest waste of money any poker player could find.
   
   If you enjoy stories, check it out of the library. The poker "advice" is marginal, and the math is simply WRONG.
   
   Several important examples : His completely error-filled "proof" that the board will pair 60% of the time while 5 cards dealt "to players in a circle" will contain a pair 40% of the time.
   The man clearly has NO grasp of even high-school level probability.
   
   This travesty of probability theory appears on page 67. Read it for a good laugh. There is absolutely NO difference in the probability of 5 cards selected at random containing a pair based on the METHOD of dealing.
   
   He also misstates all probabilities of hands on the flop by simply doubling your outs... a common error from novices, but not one that should be espoused by any "expert".
   
   And of course he claims (incorrectly by FAR) that "pot odds" are based on the number of players in the hand.
   Pot odds in limit poker are based on the number of BETS already in the pot.
   
   I'm not going to go on. I suspect at least some of the reviews here are shills for "anonymous".
   I skimmed the first chapter in Barnes and Noble. If I had skimmed the chapter with these errors instead, the book would have stayed there.



4. In terms of entertainment value, this book is great. It's only failing, other than being short and lacking in much insightful info, is the skewed facts.
   
   For instance, the author recommends sometimes playing trash in early position to help your pigeon persona. Approaching it from a mathematical standpoint in an attempt to point out that this play is not entirely wrong, the author says that the odds of flopping 2 pair or trips are "just a hair more than 13-1." I'm not sure exactly what arcane method the author used to arrive at that figure, but, take my word for it, your chances aren't anywhere near that good. This isn't the only questionable bit of math provided by the book and it utterly crippled the author's credability.
   
   Now, the author may have had implied odds on the mind when he made this statement, but I certainly didn't see him reference that, nor did he address the issue of handling preflop aggession after you did decide to limp in with 10-4. Certainly I think it's obvious that this sort of play is meant for a game with a ring full of tight and passive players (2-4 limit?), but again, the author doesn't specify this, and further, the book implies from chapter 1 that these lessons can be applied at middle limits, but the opposition in the mid limits usually doesn't play anywhere near as badly as they do at low limits.
   
   Again, the book is written in an entertaining format...probably the least dry poker book I've ever read (reading Slansky, by comparison, is about as much fun as watching paint dry) but if your intent in buying a poker book is to garner valuable info to help improve your game, may I recommend the paint dry guy.



5. "All" the author does here is give practical examples of ideas already published in many books, notably Winning Low Limit Hold'em by Lee Jones and Small Stakes Hold'em by Ed Miller, et al. That said, in the format presented it may be more understandable and more easily implemented. It's presentation is not very theoretical (and may even be wrong on some points) but it is the best description I have ever read of the winning style employed by many very good players. These players are frequently the one who other players say things like, "I just can't figure out how he always gets the cards or knows how to call with those trash hands that work out." I think for many players most other books are too detailed, or at least so detailed, that the readers miss the critical substance of how to think about the game in a broad conceptual sense. This author presents that conceptual view succinctly and lucidly with concrete examples instead of the usual correct (maybe even more correct) lengthy discussions that are so long they lose the reader. A very good book despite some very negative reviews in the poker press.

5 comments about The Poker MBA: Winning in Business No Matter What Cards You're Dealt.

1. As a poker player and businessman, I found this book to be both extremely enjoyable and useful. The analogies are terrific, and the lessons to be learned are money. I plan on buying copies for my managers. I have often believed that many of the skills I use in poker are useful in business; this book confirms it! A must read!



2. This book is well written and fun to read. The analogies between poker & business are undeniable and insightful.

   1) Know your opponent. Don't assume that they think like you, often they don't.

   "Bad players play their own hand. Good ones play their opponent's hand first, then worry about their own cards." (pg 15)

   2) In negotiation (and poker), remember three rules:
   a) don't give up something without getting something in return
   b) keep a poker face (e.g. Boxers are trained to smile after being hit - to show their fortitude)
   c) let your opponent feel like they are winning (so they will do business with you again)

   3) The answer is rarely black/white. The answer is IT DEPENDS. Advanced poker players think on many different levels.

   4) Don't gamble. Do your homework and know the odds. Take calculated risks. If possible, be the house (not the player) by creating the system that other people use and pay for.

   5) "Information has value. Just as you wouldn't give away cash, don't give away ideas - unless they contribute to you or your organization."

   "It's who you know and who knows you. Find out the people of influence that you need to know, and earn the right to meet them." (pg 89)

   6) ". . .the minute you achieve success, people will be coming after you. The best way to guard against it is to keep your success to yourself. (pg 92)

   7) Don't put yourself in the situation where you HAVE TO win. The urgency of the situation puts you at a disadvantage.

   8) Poker is a zero-sum game, but life and business are not.

   9) Pump it, or dump it. In poker ". . you typically should either raise the pot (pump it) and take control of the hand or fold (dump it) and get out entirely. Just calling is an option, but rarely the right one." (pg 107) The same applies to business, stick to your strengths. 80/20 principle.

   10) Be tight and aggressive. For poker, play only a few hands, but play them hard. For business, focus your investments.




3. As both a stockbroker and a poker player i found this book to be quite fascinating.. it does a great job of using poker philosophies in business.



4. One of the greatest so called business strategy books often cited is Sun-Tzu "The Art of War", a treatise on warfare which has been adapted to the business world given that the arena of business is muhc like warfare. It is not surprising at all that the game of Poker also can be used to draw lessons and strategies in the business world.

   I am a poker player, option trader and businessman and I found the book did an excellent job of showing the fun, intrigue and skill of poker and how it is played and how we can learn to use those same skills in negotiations, management and making investments. The book is written with great little stories and examples with special highlights of kep points and chapter summaries of diferent issues. If you love Poker, then you will love the details the book covers on what skills the pros use in bluffing, playing their hands, and reading their opponents. You will also enjoy how the authors show the use of those skills in business dealings and how relevant and useful those skills are.

   To the reviewer who criticized the book in its discussion of poker and business, I think the reviewer missed an excellent point of hte book. Business is NOT a chess game where two people with equal resources (same pieces on the baord) deal with each other and the individual's skill level determines the winner. In chess, everything is out there on the board and your emotion plays no role in affecting your other opponent. for example, one side cannot seem more desparate at the beginning of the game before the pieces have been moved.

   However this is not true in the real world. In business negotations, parties do not have the same resource to compete with. Parties are also coming from different emotional states. One side may be very desparate to get a deal doen while the other has enough money to wait out the deal and see if something better comes along. The individual skill in such settings is how you use your resources and emotions and play with the hand that has been dealt to you. This is poker at its finest.

   If you have a good hand, you still need to analyze what your opponent has and how he or she is betting. But what if they are bluffing? Don't we bluff in business deals as well. The same pshychology that goes into learning your opponent and determing if they are bluffing you based on teh card showing is the same skill we need to sit across from someone at a negotiation table and determine what they are offering and what we can offer. It is also true in managing people and handling investments. The skills of POKER are very transferable to the business world.

   THis book does a great job of showing how the wonderful skills of poker can be used in the business world and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. After just reading it once, it already got my mind thinking a different way when I consider future business proposals, negotiations or just dealing with co-workers on business issues.




5. It's really a shame that The Poker MBA doesn't get mentioned more than it does. It's a great read for everyone. The lessons go beyond poker and business and extend into the realm of everyday life. I give a copy to all my new interns and even to others as gifts.

5 comments about Killer Poker Hold'em Handbook: A Workbook for Winners.

1. This is a great book for the beginner and intermediate player looking to inspect their game. Rather than just give the usual strategy recommendations, this book takes an introspective approach teaching the player how to ask the RIGHT questions to improve his/her game. This is more a mini-lesson in poker improvement than it is a strategy guide. If you've put in a few hundred hours of poker and are ready to look at your game in a more serious and structured fashion, buy this book!



2. This was a good book if it's the first book you read on improving your poker game. There is no instruction on computing pot odds, implied odds, or any math for that matter, it doesn't dig deep into theory, and it doesn't really give any tips on what to do in certain situations, because, as the author puts it, "it depends," and he's right. Since this was the first book I've read on poker; I'm not sure what I was expecting, maybe more of "when you have this and this and the flop comes that, this is what you do." After reading this book, I discovered, that's impossible to tell, due to the infanite amount of factors that need to be considered (alot of which are discussed.) Rather, it focuses on playing valuable hands, and playing them aggressively. The "Killer" way. He stresses to "pay attention what's going on, not only while your in the hand, but even when you fold before the flop" (keep watching your opponents to see what they do/how they react to certain situations that arise.) The "workbook" aspect of this book is kind of lame; the author will tell you a story or a situation in which this or that happend, and then asks you to write in the space provided 5 times (or however many) this sort of situation happened to you and your reaction to them (what did you do). I didn't do any of the "workbook" questions that pop up in the process of reading the book, and I don't think I lost anything by not doing them...I felt them to be a distraction. In my opinion, I don't think it would hurt to skip the "workbook" part of the book, and keep reading the meaty part, where you get most (all) the information.
   I am planning on reading the first book in the series next (I didn't know there was a first book till after I bought this one). As far as a helpful tool to online play, I'm not sure. This book focuses on and is written for live limit hold-em play, so I'm not sure how much info you can get out of it that would help you with the internet game...though I imagine that it couldn't hurt. Hope this was somewhat helpful. It's a quick and easy read too, not boring at all, and held my attention throughout, which I must say, is tough to do...



3. Poker player and author John Vorhaus takes the reader through a series of discussions and exercises designed to jump-start their approach (or improvement) of the game of limit holdem, the most popular card game in the world today.
   One of my good friends in college once told me that the purpose of undergraduate studies in any discipline is to get the student to learn how to think. By this measure, Vorhaus gives us a very good undergraduate education in poker. While he doesn't ignore the specific nuts and bolts strategy that we would expect, of much greater value are the lessons that he gives us throughout. They could be summed up briefly as "keep your head in the game", and "always think about what the other guy is thinking about;" of course, they run much deeper than that. To call this a workbook may be overstating the case; however, Vorhaus frequently invites us to take a break and generate our own ideas on the topic that he is currently instructing us on, with the goal of teaching us critical thinking skills that will translate into dollars at the poker table.
   By the end of the book, we've been exposed to some amusing anecdotes, some common situations in poker, and a look into the minds of some of the opponents that we will face, with lots of admonitions against becoming one of the less desirable stereotypes of poker players.
   The Good and the Bad:
   The writing in this book is very strong; while it may not win any awards for literature, it is miles ahead of the pack of poker books in terms of reader accessibility. Despite a frequent return to a couple of major themes (Don't tilt! Don't tilt! Don't tilt!), the book manages to move through most topics with a fair amount of clarity and entertainment. Vorhaus is not afraid to present himself as the horse's ass in his anecdotes, as long as it is in the service of showing us how to play. The approach of teaching critical thinking skills is also very much appreciated.
   On the down side, I wish that Vorhaus had spent a little more time on presenting situations that the player is likely to find him or herself in, and I would have liked a mention of how an online poker player might apply some of the lessons that he is teaching differently.
   Another criticism has to do with the exercises. If Vorhaus expects us to do the exercises in the various sections, he should have put a little more into them (rather than just saying "when do you go on tilt"?). Also, the "diaries" of some of the players we're likely to meet (a clever approach to getting us inside the head of our opponents) are a little long; the space could have been better spent by giving us more practical advice on how to beat the player-types presented, or by giving us more player-types.



4. If you read and benefited from "Killer Poker" you definitely should continue with this book. It is, unlike many sequels, a genuine extension of the original, not just the same thing repeated with a new cover. This books discussions and examples are of hold'em only.
   Two of the many subjects were especially valuable to me (other subjects will no doubt turn out to be the favorites of different readers, such is the quality of the whole book).
   One: "Hold'em Diaries" is a hypothetical diary of several specific poker players revealing the mindset they bring to the game. Some are good mindsets and some pretty bad. After each diary entry (three or four pages) is Vorhaus discussion of that player's view of the game.
   Two: "Hard-Core Hold'em" covers six valuable points and one of them is "The Seven Habits" (of highly effective hold'em players) that I keep re-reading.



5. If you are looking for an instructional book or a reference book that will show you "what-to-do with Ace-King in middle position"...this is not it. But, if you are looking to ADD to your intermediate level knowledge of the game and to catch some additional insight into personalities, situations, and perspectives...this will fit the bill very nicely. There is a wealth of information in Vorhaus' little book. It touches on personalities at the table, tips, hints, and perspective to provoke thought...not a tome of how-to-do-what-when. It is also a good read, very well written, witty, and hilarious on many occasions. It can also help you to look at your own play (and the holes therein)..and give knowledge, backed with experience, to help in your quest of refining your "craft". There are many books that can easily tell you what hands to play, how to bluff and when, and other essentials of the game. However, Vorhaus successfully steers clear of that cliche' and offers some insight that you can follow, or not follow...agree with, or not agree with. It is, again, a book to stimulate your thought deeper within the game..not tell you what hands to play or not to play. Except for his adamant advice not to slow play pocket Aces....of which I agree.

No comments about Agent Provocateur: Strip Poker Kit: The Game.

5 comments about The King of Vegas' Guide to Gambling: How to Win Big at POKER, Casino Gambling & Life!The Zen of Gambling updated.

1. I just finished Wayne Allyn Root's book on the Zen of Gambling after receiving it as a gift from a friend of mine to whom I had recommended the Millionaire Republican by the same author. This book was a lot of fun since good books on casino gambling are few and far between and I have to admit I like to partake on my trips to Vegas. This book is more than just a nuts and bolts "how to play". Wayne is a very colorful individual (if any of you have read the Millionaire Republican or heard Wayne on the radio can attest) who gives some interesting insights on what it takes to be a winner. I won't give away the material, but its more than just knowing when to stay and when to hit in blackjack or what numbers to avoid in craps. With this book, its more about the mindset or "Zen". If you've ever had a tuff streak at the poker or blackjack table, or playing those "office pools" (haha) on Football Sunday, then this book can teach you to ride out the tuff times and maximize the runs. Finally someone has written this book!!



2. I'm in awe. I'm amazed about just how much one person knows about life...risk...and winning. Thru Zen,Family or Spirituality I learned an entirely new perspective about life. Then he switches gears and tells me about risk....and how to have less risk thru Contrarian thinking and Value Investing. Now I'm ready to go the opposite way after I hear someone say "it can't miss"!
   And finally, there's betting rules and a betting clock to maximize my betting opportunities. I didn't know that!! But what I enjoyed the most is how he took me thru the World Series of Poker. I not only feel like I was there but I learned so much I'm have many successes on the internet.His writing style is second to none during this fast paced chapter. What an incredible piece of work. This is a smart read for all risk takers, sports gamblers and poker players. And a must read for everybody else even if you only want to see how one man can combine success with family and business. Thanks Wayne Root!



3. I've been a client of mr. Root for many years. When I heard about his new book I couldn't wait to read it! He did not let me down. The king of vegas guide to gambling is a book full of unique gambling wisdom.
   
   Wayne's honest, heartfelt story of his long journey from a butcher's son in a blue collar town...to king of vegas is a true testament to hard work, committment, tenacity and the end result- the american dream. You never find that kind of inspirational and motivational business wisdom in a
   gambling book. I give this book 5 stars!



4. Mr.Roots contrarian philosophy and unique application of gambling strategy to life and business is right on the mark,and something never before seen in a gambling book. This book could actually CHANGE PEOPLES LIVES FOR THE BETTER, IT HAS MINE.I commend Mr. Root and his message,and highly recommend this book to GAMBLERS AND NONGAMBLERS ALIKE.



5. Check out the other reviews on this book, and then check out all the reviews by that person. See the pattern? All of the reviewers have either only reviewed this one book or 2 books by Mr. Root. How credible are these reviews?

5 comments about Take Me to the River: A Wayward and Perilous Journey to the World Series of Poker.

1. I had a hard time getting thru this book for 2 reasons. First reason-peter Alston seems like a complete and total jerk to me. Taking a prostitute's phone number, jerking a girl around re: wedding plans (at the age of 50), etc. Second reason i did not like this book is that Peter managed to make the WSOP boring. I wish he described the players we've come to know and love (and hate) on Tv in more depth instead of going into such detail about his loser friend.



2. Peter is a terrific, comic, truthful writer. This most enjoyable book would make a wonderful Christmas gift for anyone from 12 to 100 who likes poker, Las Vegas, and romance. Peter has been writing about and attending the World Series of Poker for decades. I have played with him in the cash side games over the years. He is a fine poker player and knows what he is talking about. He knows everyone in the poker world, the main writers and players. I just loved this book and the one with Nolan Dalla about Stu Ungar.
   
   In about forty years, Peter and his bride will be sitting in rockers outside the Old Poker Player's Retirement Home. She will suddenly turn on him and bring up the time in Vegas he kept the whore's phone number while she was planning a wedding. He should have never been that honest, but honesty makes this a fantastic book. If Peter tells you a hen dips snuff, look under her wing and you will find a can.
   
   Johnny Hughes, author of the upcoming novel, Texas Poker Wisdom.Texas Poker Wisdom



3. At the beginning of this book, Peter Alson says he was hesitant on following in the footsteps of A. Alverez and James McManus. While Alson may have followed their lead, he definitely created his own trail. It is comletely unfair to call this a companion book to either "The Biggest game in Town" or "Positively Fifth Street", as I feel this is a book just about any adult could relate to. The non-poker content is well written and captivating, as Alson has a gift for not only describing personalities, but also his interpersonal relationships with people in his life.
   As a poker player, I loved the way Alson captured (and participated in!) the action. His ties to the Mayfair Club give him the strongest of credibility with any serious poker player. In one review, a reader was critical of Alson "being in the red" for his time at the WSOP. Obviously that person didn't read the book very well. Alson's terrorizing of the sit n go's ensured that he was in the black. I'd love to see Alson do a follow up to this book.



4. Awesome book.
   
   If someone is discouraged buy story splitting between Peter's life in WSOP and pre-marriage happenings between him and his future wife - do not. Both parts are well blended together and we get most exciting insight in one mans life during WSOP. The poker action is well presented and author becomes one of our long known friend, who says to us without nothing to hide. Book never gets boring and pages just fly away.



5. I love reading poker memoirs. It doesn't matter to me whether the author wins or loses - or even if the memoir is completely true - I just love reading about the gambler's life. And Alson's account is one of the better ones I've read. It doesn't hurt that Alson is coauthor of the Stu Unger biography One of a Kind - and knows his way around a poker book. He doesn't get so caught up in the actual game that the book is nothing but dissection of hand after hand, but includes enough information about what happens away from the table to make you feel that you're really getting to know him.

4 comments about Real Poker II: The Play of Hands.

1. In each chapter, Cooke focuses on one hand. He lays out the scene, how the hand played out, and what his thought process was on each hand.
   His goal is to make as much money as possible on his winners, and to lose as little as possible on his losers (a good goal).
   While sometimes he may come across as a bit of a know-it-all, this is an invaluable book that addresses many of the issues poker players face at the felt, including Pot Odds, Implied Odds, how to play in loose games v. tight games, short-handed v. full games, and more.
   Each chapter is about 3 pages, making this an ideal book for those who don't often have large chunks of time to devote to reading.
   If you play Limit Hold 'Em and want to make more money, buy this book, put it in your bathroom, and read one chapter a day. Your game will be better for it.



2. REAL POKER II: THE PLAY OF HANDS offers up a winning set of his Play of Hand columns from 1992-99. From right and wrong plays and misreading to deciding when to call, REAL POKER II: THE PLAY OF HANDS is for avid players who would be better.



3. I have added this book to my library and the book is very good and a fine addition to my current library.



4. the book is the reprint of a number of articles published by the author over time. It is well written, and the information is definitely of high calibre. It is however best used by limit holdem players; as no limit holdem strategy differs widely from limit strategy.
   With that proviso in mind, i think those interested will find their dollars recieve fair value from the author.

4 comments about Best Hand I Ever Played, The: 52 Winning Poker Lessons from the World's Greatest Players.

1. Each entry made me smile, made me feel good inside. This could very well have been titled Chicken Soup for the Poker Soul. The big bluffs, the great calls, the monster laydowns; even bad beats made the list (read the book to find out why). Not the best book for poker tutorial, but a great book for leisure reading as it reveals the human side of the poker pros.



2. Not alot in the plot. Just good ol' short stories on playing texas-hold'em. And players profile. Not a 1 sitting read not a novel.



3. Over fifty interviews with the best professional poker players in the world, from Doyle Brunson to Annie Duke, captures their memories of the greatest hands of their careers in a poker book players will find absorbing. Step-by-step action is recalled with analysis and advice added along the way for those who would learn by example. THE BEST HAND I EVER PLAYED: 52 WINNING POKER LESSONS FROM THE WORLD'S GREATEST PLAYERS is an exciting tribute and insider's guide for any who would learn where luck ends and talent begins at the poker table.
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch



4. Over fifty interviews with the best professional poker players in the world, from Doyle Brunson to Annie Duke, captures their memories of the greatest hands of their careers in a poker book players will find absorbing. Step-by-step action is recalled with analysis and advice added along the way for those who would learn by example. THE BEST HAND I EVER PLAYED: 52 WINNING POKER LESSONS FROM THE WORLD'S GREATEST PLAYERS is an exciting tribute and insider's guide for any who would learn where luck ends and talent begins at the poker table.
   
   Diane C. Donovan, Editor
   California Bookwatch