1 comments about Poker Night: Dealer's Choice A to Z.

1. I got this book hoping to add a little spice into our home game. Many of the people I play with (and me) stick to Texas Hold 'em for the most part, but fondly remember the days when "Chase the Queen" and "Iron Cross" built huge pots and made a home game really different from what you get in the Casino. I was really impressed with the coverage this book provides. Pretty much every aspect of the home game is there, and there are more varieties of poker outlined here than we'll ever get to in our game - there's just not enough time!
   
   The first sections of "Poker Night" discuss many of the things that need to be considered before hosting a game. What kind of atmosphere are you going for? What sort of house rules should you establish? How do you handle the player who wins a huge hand and then wants to leave right away? "Poker Night" helps you prepare a sound set of house rules to make sure the game runs smoothly.
   
   The real meat of the book covers every variation of poker I've ever heard of and many more. The publisher's outline above will give you an idea of what's there, and each is covered very well. Essentially the rules of each type of poker are covered in brief, and then they give a thorough breakdown of how each variety of them work. So, in the Stud section they cover the classic "Chase the Queen", and in the Community section they cover my favorite, "Iron Cross", but if you've wanted to know how to play "Baseball", "H-Bomb", or too many others to mention, chances are they're in here.
   
   The section on Hold'em provides a good overview of the game, and provides some good information about the value of the various starting hands, and the strategy included would be very helpful for people just getting into the game or who are interested in taking control of their current home game. The final section includes some interesting notes about how casino poker games like Let It Ride and Caribbean Stud can be adjusted for home game play.
   
   Overall, a really good overview of the wide variety of poker games played in living rooms around the world. "Poker Night" will definitely add something to anyone's game that's gotten a little too predictable.

4 comments about The Poker Aficionado: An All-In Compendium of Lore & Legend, Wit & Wisdom, Tips & Techniques.

1. Following in the footsteps of ADD-type books such as "Schott's Original Miscellany" and the "Bathroom Reader" comes this fun poker compendium. Coming in at about 6" tall with 200 pages, The Poker Aficiando contains an assortment of informative nuggets covering pretty much everything poker: strategy, rules, odds, percentages, history, lingo, tips, anecdotes, and trivia. Most of the strategy-related material is provided by Phil Gordon, John Vorhaus, and Robert Williamson.
   
   As the author states, a lot of the material comes from outside sources, so you may already be familiar with some of what this book has to offer. But having such a wide array of info in one pocket-sized collection makes this perfect for the novice and intermediate player, and it's a great time-killer. However, it's likely that you'll cover the bulk of it rather quickly, so here's hoping it won't be long until they come out with a second volume in the near future.



2. This book is just a little bit bigger than a pack of playing cards, and cracking it open is just as satisfying as shuffling a new deck. Great design, facts and tips presented in a friendly way, and some hilariously far-out trivia (Grateful Dead lyrics about poker) make this a complete (and cheap!) gift for poker-playing friends. The small size means you can carry it to all your games.



3. Finally, we have a book for all poker lovers, not just the hardcore folks who are betting the ranch every hand. Since poker has always been a tad shady, much of the culture of the game has been hidden from view. Here, Fornatale--a supremely talented and highly underrated writer, reporter, researcher, and editor--brings to light some highly fascinating material from the fringes and the depths. A succinct, good-time read that fits in your pocket and stays with you long after you're done reading it.



4. The size and feel of this book make for a nice gift. An inexpensive gift for someone you know who has a love for poker. As far as the book itself-I doubt I will ever spend more than five or ten minutes browsing it. It is very much a poker "trivia" book. Cute as a gift and for very light reading. Not much substance for diehard poker fans and actually a letdown after his "Winning Secrets of Poker" which I think very highly of.

2 comments about Gettin' Lucky (Simon Romantic Comedies).

1. The story here is not that shocking or remarkable. Cass's boyfriend, Jesse, cheats on her with her best friend, therefore ruining her entire life. However, predictably, she finds new friends, a new hobby (poker, of course--she lives in Las Vegas!), and maybe even a new guy.
   
   What makes GETTIN' LUCKY special is the awesome Las Vegas-poker twist on what is a fairly typical teen romance! That kept my attention througout the book, although there were occasional dull bits in this novel.
   
   Micol Ostow, however, is a good writer, who manages to make her characters realistic and interesting.
   
   GETTIN' LUCKY is definitely worth reading!
   
   Reviewed by: Jocelyn Pearce



2. The plotline was very predictable--some of that, of course, comes with the genre, but this one was more predictable than most. I knew what was going to happen from the second the male lead was introduced a few chapters in. This is not too atypical, but usually the fun comes in from watching how the characters end up together. I just didn't care about either of them, or their friends or their problems. I have absolutely no problem with soft silly rom coms but there are a lot of better ones out there. Try Major Crush by Jennifer Echols, The Boyfriend League by Rachael Hawthorne, or Tropical Kiss by Jan Coffey instead.

2 comments about Big Book of Slots.

1. The Big Book of Slots and Video Poker is a no-nonsense approach to setting a gambling budget and managing expectations. Explanations of the price of fun make it easy to make choices before you go to the casino.



2. I really don't think the book was helpful at all. The information was very repetitious and outdated. Would not recommend at all!

5 comments about Poker Aces.

1. If you are intrigued with poker, you're going to love reading "Poker Aces" by Ron Rose. This poker book is truly an original! I have several shelves full of excellent books on this popular American sport, but I have never read anything quite as fulfilling as this one.
   
   "Know your game, know your percentages, know yourself, and, know other players" seems to be the advice of nearly every good writer on this subject. The task of knowing other players, however, is the most daunting for me, because it defies good procedure. How do you organize complex poker behavior? Watching others' style, moods, eccentricities and poker "moves" is an endless fascination. The better the player, the more important it is to know all you can about him. There is a lot more to know than the occasional "tell." The person's background, education, attitude and life perspectives seem to creep into every session he plays, sometimes manifesting a much stronger influence on his actions than good tactics and game knowledge.
   
   Ron Rose has truly filled a void for poker enthusiasts worldwide. (Like me.) I really want to learn something in depth about the champions and how they got that way. How and when did they get hooked on this game, anyway? Was it something their parents loved, as for Jennifer Harmon and Annie Duke? Or did it begin as a relief from the responsibilities of college classes as for Phil Hellmuth, Chip Reese and me. It seems "the Hook" which starts a person into playing poker somehow affects his game thereafter. "That hook" is revealed in detail for most of the champions.
   
   But even if your hook does not affect your play in poker any more than it does in your golf game, other life situations certainly can. For example, several champions in Ron's book were refugees from troubling situations in other countries where their individualistic survival skills have made them strong tournament contenders: Amir Vahedi deserting a sure death situation in the Iranian Army; Men Nguyen, Tony Ma and Lieutenant An Tran fleeing the Communist takeover in Vietnam.
   
   Occupational backgrounds and health histories certainly influence play, but these factors affect poker players in different ways and seem to be only a part of overall profile. Ross Boatman is a professional British actor. "Miami" John Cernuti is a fired air traffic controller. T J Cloutier a former football pro. John Bonetti and Doyle Brunson are cancer survivors. Dan Harrington and Randy Holland are lawyers.
   
   Most of the great champions have college degrees or very accomplished backgrounds, such as Ron Rose himself, former USAF Captain, Masters degree in mathematics and successful computer entrepreneur.
   
   Ron has also identified the guiding philosophies of many living poker greats. This is one of the best parts of his book because every champion finds a different perspective to his winning path. Why does Humberto Brenes say, "Poker is like going to kindergarten." (p. 15) Is Mark Seif realistic when he says, "You have to become your opponent...to exploit the weakness of his hand." (p. 155) Why does Charlie Shoten claim, "Being a better poker player has to do with being a better person."? (p. 158) The author has loaded this book with great insights, not only from the philosophy of current champions but also from other famous personalities such as
   
   Lou Krieger
   
   "Poker is a microcosm of all we admire and disdain about capitalism and democracy.
   
   Somerset Maugham
   
   "Poker's the only game fit for a grown man. Then your hand is against every man's, and every man's against yours."
   
   And, General David Shoup
   
   "The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; happens at the poker table all the time."
   
   "Poker Aces" is one of the most satisfying poker read in years. Its layout and organization is excellent, and its pages are well written. The book is full of good photography showing 89 of today's international poker champions at play. I am looking forward to the Second and subsequent editions of this book in coming years.
   
   (...)



2. Poker Aces by Ron Rose is the most comprehensive and gorgeous books on professional pokers to date. I happened across the book when a friend recommened it to me. It is the ultimate resource on pro poker players - The pictures are great and it is extremely informative. What I like most is that I can use it as an autograph album. Just from walking around WPT events I can spot a player and s/he can sign his/her page in the book. So far I only have 12 signatures but I plan on filling it up.
   Thanks Ron for the goregeous tribute to poker players.



3. Card player magazine, a bi-weekly review for poker enthusiasts, likes what they see, obviously. It appears Card Player is interested enough to reprint the bio's in future issues of their magazine. I find it a bit of help as I work my way along the tournament trail where knowledge of your opponents is critical since these are the guys and gals you will have to face eventually. Clear and concise, making a good evenings read. Five Stars, Mr. Rose; Bravo.



4. This is a great book. It's not a how to play book but it gives me as a beginner an opportunity to see how my heros of the poker world got started and where they came from. Poker is a sport that gives me a chance to play at the same table with the poker greats. I've sat with Scotty Nguyen at the same table in Tunica. (It was worth the $500 buy in). Thank you Ron for this great insite to the world of poker. Read this book and now that no matter how old you are or whatever your financial status is at the time - poker tournaments give you the opportunity to live your dreams. Thanks again.



5. This is a very large book with excellent photography and well written articles on each player. After reading about a dozen pages, I realized that it really seemed like I was reading a lot of the same stuff. Most players started off doing this or that, then moved to poker. They won a tournament and became interested and became pro.
   
   Overall, I gave the book 4 stars. It provides information on many of today's poker superstars that would take a long time to search for ourselves. We get a unique look at the lives of these players and see that they are pretty much like all of us in a lot of ways...and very different.
   
   Ron Rose always seemed to be a nice guy and he made this book with members of his family helping him. You can really feel the love and respect he has for all of these players and the poker community. If you have always wanted to know more about some of the famous poker players, this is a great book for you.

5 comments about John Patrick's Advanced Blackjack.

1. Boy, is this Patrick guy bad. In fact, he is quite well-known now for his bad blackjack advice. The problem is, he writes in a style that sounds convincing and "common sense".

   People, you cannot use "common sense" in blackjack. Some of Patrick's plays are just plain wrong. These plays cannot be judged right or wrong because you happen to win some hands by playing that way. There are HUGE variances in blackjack, and any play or money management system can win in the short term. The only way to know if a play is correct, in terms of probability and long term winning percentage, is by mathematical proof or large computer simulations. Otherwise, you're just wishing it to be true. There's a very good reason casinos make billions of dollars every year. Patrick's book does 2 things
   1) makes him money
   2) ensures that the casinos stay in business so he can make more money selling more blackjack books.

   Is everything in this book wrong? No, most of it is right. But why buy a book like this when there are many more that get it ALL right? Read Wong, or Schlesinger, or Griffin, or Uston, or other proven authors. It really doesn't matter how easy this book is to read if it gives bad plays. And it doesn't matter that you went into the casino and won using Patrick's methods, because in this game your experience is too short to count as valid and meaningful in terms of probability. If you don't understand that, there's no hope for you anyway.

   Can you explain why you are more likely to get a blackjack with 1 deck than 6? Do you understand why preferential shuffling can hurt you? Do you understand why you should hit your 16 against the dealer's 7, even though you will probably lose the hand? If you understand all that, then you sure don't need this book. If you don't, then go find another book that explains the REAL fundamentals of blackjack. Anyone can win at blackjack - even total idiots - in the short term. Only a few actually play the game with a mathematical advantage though.




2. This is the first John Patrick book I have read and I think his system is great. I have read other books on blackjack and they make sense as well but they make it far too complicated to actually remember while you are sitting at a BJ table. Do you honestly think you can keep 3 or 4 different counts at a table? Not a chance! Yes, the more complicated systems claim that they are more accurate but how much more accurate can you get if you can't be perfect at what you are doing? In fact, you will be far less proficient than a regular perfect basic strategy player who isn't using a system or counting. He touches on the fact that some of us are more aggressive and some are less aggressive and he has different betting styles for each of these type of people.

   I highly recommend his book, practice his system (because you won't remember everything right off the bat and you will see that not nothing is 'EASY', even his system requires a lot of practice).

   The other thing I wanted to mention is about the mathematical aspect of BJ. John doesn't relay on mathematics but instead points out that any game you play, you will encounter a trend or streak. No matter how you look at it, it happens. You flip a coin and the odds are 50-50 that you will get heads or tails but does this mean you will always get heads, then tails, then heads, etc. NO! You might get 5 heads in a row, then all tails. These are the same type of streaks that occur in BJ and other casino games. John makes us capitalize on these streaks and it works! He answers all my questions in the book.




3. For all the people that gave this book a negative review, they definitely did not get his style of writing. Not once does he ever mention playing hunches which one reader wrote. Also, he never mentions "playing with the casinos money" as someone else wrote. Once you win that money it's your money. The casino doesn't say they're playing with your money when they win.

   I have been winning consistently for many years using John Patrick's methods. I have become an emotionless robot when I play. Every move I make is pre-determined (no hunches) and every bet I make is pre-determined. It may not be as much fun playing the game, but the three hour ride home is great knowing how much more money is in my pocket.

   He is the only author to say you don't always have to split Aces and Eights. I have read the other reviewers talking about computers and statistics. My degree in finance has me familiar with both, but it was only John Patrick's common sense explanations that stopped me from getting burnt anymore playing those hands. How many times have you split these hands only to get killed? But, it was the thing that you were "supposed to do". He makes you look at why you should be making moves in a logical sense, not because the computer said that you should and that's the way it has been handed down.

   In conclusion, I can only say that this book has totally changed the way I look at blackjack and has definitely made me a winner, sometimes in less than twenty minutes. If you are open to new methods and want to win consistently, then read this book. If you are closed minded, need computer print-outs and statistics, or just don't feel that you will ever have the dicipline to be a winner, then don't read this book.




4. You people that flame J Patrick don't get it. He's the FIRST to admit that he's deviating from mathematics. His premise is NOT about making you rich. and it is certainly not about mathematics. after YOU play 2 million hands of blackjack and report back how effective splitting 8's Vs 10 is, I will do it. If you play one hand of blackjack per minute 24 hours a day you'll get to the 2 millionth hand in about 4 years. Since I hit the tables about once a month- I'll just go ahead and play for short term gains. I'll hit the 8-8 Vs 10 and lose one bet instead of two and just move on to the next hand. I'll make this claim and stand by it until one of you mathematicians can provide solid evidence against it: "If you study patrick's blackjack books and do NOT deviate what-so-ever you WILL consistently come out ahead, or break even, or incur a small loss. you will never come up broke and demoralized." and THAT is the REAL premise behind patrick's writings. He's writing to the guys who have no money- but insist on going to the casino every so often. he's writing to the roofers, painters, cops, fireman and plumbers of northern NJ who insist on driving 3 hours to AC with a few hundred in their pocket whose wives would shoot them if they found out. ...



5. This book is obviously bad advice. General principles of probability are thrown out the window. I'm 90% sure that Patrick is employed by casino companies.
   
   He does show his readers a standard basic strategy chart, but then decides that part of it is wrong, and even explains that his reasoning is NOT backed up by computer analysis, but his own observation.
   
   For example, he deviates from a well-established play, doubling down on eleven versus a dealer's two: "I don't like laying out extra money, getting only one card and having that dealer pull to a two." That's ridiculous. The player would almost never WANT a second card in that situation, and would be in such a position of strength that laying out twice the bet is well worth the risk. Have no doubt Patrick knows this.
   
   In my card counting experience, bad players are of course superstitious, and they tend to play scared and thus conservatively. His table modifications feed right into a bad player's fears. All of which pad the casino's bottom line.

5 comments about How to Beat Low Limit 7 Card Stud Poker.

1. Even after placing in many, and winning a few Stud tournaments I knew that my game was weak when it came to this poker variant.

   I had read many books on other forms of poker, but had never really worked on developing my stud game. I purchased 2+2's Stud Poker for Advanced Player's but I was stuck somewhere between an introductory book and that more advanced book and what's more I was pretty sure that advanced tactics were all but worthless in a low-limit game or in an online environment where it seems as though all the stakes are played as if they are low.

   I heard about this book from a player online who recognized its author at our table and complimented him on the text.

   I thought maybe this was a good book for me and that turned out to be right. While it starts off getting total beginners up to speed, there is something in this book for everyone.

   Street by street, Paul Kammen advises you on the play of each type of playable hand with which you will be faced. At the end of each situation covered there is a Quick Guide that can be referenced in a flash. In addition, there is a nice collection of odds listed in tables in the appendix.

   This is relatively new book, having just been published in late 2003, but I believe it is an instant classic. It belongs alongside, Lee Jones' Low-Limit Holdem text in your poker library. If you have read Lee's book then you know that this is high praise and that Paul's book is required reading.

   If you are going to be playing low-limit stud you need to grab this book or lose money to those who did.




2. If you have been playing 7 card stud for any reasonable amount of time, do yourself a favor and skip buying this book. Go buy 7 Card Stud for Advanced Players by David Sklansky.



3. It's a must read. Paul Kammen takes a game that is often challenging and intimidating, puts the cards in your hands and gives you great book full of usable advice. Well-worded, thoughtful and coming from a gentlemen with obvious knowledge of the game.



4. He has an interesting idea for organizing his advice, though I'm not sure it matches my thought patterns. The book is not terribly technical - nothing like the Malmuth/Sklansky book. For my money I like to play tighter than he advises.



5. It is impossible to see who could learn anything useful by reading this book. No wonder that the author plays low stakes.

1 comments about Maran Illustrated Poker (Maran Illustrated).

1. Enhanced with the technical expertise of professional poker player Ken R. Auliffe (Editor of the "Canadian Poker Player" magazine), Maran Illustrated Poker from the Maran Family is an profusely illustrated introduction to the major varieties of poker card games including Seven Card Stud, Omaha, and the wildly popular "Texas Hold'em" in both limit and no-limit forms. Readers are taken through the psychology as well as mathematical aspects of poker whether in home games or tournament play. Providing a knowledgeable perspective and an illustrative pictorial representation of diverse hands and game play situations, Maran Illustrated Poker carries its readers through poker essentials, as well as offering tips for comfortable playing in a casino card room, an online poker room. The critically important subjects of tells, bluffing, table position, and so much more are covered in detail. Maran Illustrated Poker is very strongly recommended as a truly invaluable and "user friendly" reference for all poker players, be they novice or expert, amateur or professional.

1 comments about PokerFarce and PokerTruth.

1. Nothing to learn here, and not particularly entertaining. The writing is excruciating. If you want a "what's it like" book, get The Biggest Game in Town or Big Deal. If you want to learn to play, start with The Theory of Poker, Super/System, or the Harrington Holdem books.

3 comments about Low Vision Playing Cards: Poker Size.

1. These are perfect for individuals who have trouble seeing and want to play card games.



2. I volunteer at a nursing home where I have taught a group of residents how to play poker. The ones with poor vision have had trouble finding playing cards that they can read. They have said unanimously that these cards are the best. I highly recommend these for people with vision problems. The 6's and 9's are hard to tell apart at the beginning, but you get used to reading them.



3. I received my item very quickly!! I ordered on a Monday and received it on that Thursday. And it was regular shipping. I was very happy!!!