5 comments about Kill Phil: The Fast Track to Success in No-Limit Hold 'em Poker Tournaments.

1. I found this book very interesting. Not a bible, however, an interesting read that may well help me in future, I don't think it's the ultimate info, but another piece of artillary!
   
   Like all 'how to' books, no one, no one would give up 'the nuts' of a system. They would keep it too themselves!



2. The first time I used the strategy in this book, I won a 180 player tournament. Hard to argue with those results!



3. While reading this book, the reviews, online message boards, and playing constant online tourneys, it has occurred to me that there's a very important concept here. Namely, is there a mathematical basis for going all-in anytime you deside to play a hand?
   
   I can see how these ideas were derived. For instance, suppose I have AK, and you have QJ, well since the status quo is for me to win, if neither of us improve, I'll win. On the other hand, IF you pair Q or J and I don't pair A or K, then you'll win. The same is true whether or not you hold 8 5. Also, obviously, if either of us draw to a straight or a flush we'll win, but if we both do, I'll win. And so on.
   
   So, I can see how there might be some logic to going all-in with 8 5 as easy as one would go all-in with AJ. But here's where it comes back to reality. Even though it's true that if no one has a pair we both have the same odds of pairing something, that doesn't mean that the better hands won't win in the long run.
   
   It just throws a giant monkey wrench into the picture in the short run.
   
   So, what's the moral of my message? This book presents a legitimate point describing a way to try and win a tournament. Whether or not it works is debatable, so go ahead and try it if you like.
   
   I think the better players will come out on top anyway, and shouldn't be so quick to condemn this method.



4. I found the information contained in Kill Phil useful & productive.
   It can provide another weapon in the arsenal of a serious poker player.
   No system of play can substitute for hours of practice, lots of reading,
   and constantly striving for improvement in your game. I experimented with Kill Phil in the recent WSOP Ladies circuit event in Tunica and went from placing 27th last year to placing 18th this year. Aside from the basic Kill Phil system, the book contains advice & a tournament overview
   from two people who have been there. Of the many poker books I have read,
   I found this one very worthwhile!



5. It's a very good book for amauter players so they will start to learn how no limit texas holdem is been played. Also there are some advanced strategies later at the book. For advanced players I suggest Kill Everyone

No comments about Defense in the 21st Century, 2nd Edition: The Heart Series (Acbl Bridge Series).

5 comments about Deviant Moon Tarot: Premier Edition.

1. To say The Deviant Moon Tarot deck is just another deck in Rider Waite Smith tradition would be an understatement. The deck takes you into another world of ying/yang insectoid creatures populating a bleak industrial landscape. Patrick Valenza subliminally inserted images from cemataries and an abandonded insane asylum into the images. My first impression upon my receipt of the deck that it was too dark for me to do readings with for people I ordinarily would read for; but for those whose tastes lean to the unusual I'm sure it would work fine. The symbolism of the images maintain traditional interpretations in most cases, but give it a new twist. I think this is an excellent deck for collectors as well as those whose tastes and insights gravitate towards dark imaginings. Valenza is a talented surrealist, and more than just in a deck of cards, the images belong in a museum as each are a unique work of art, making the old new again and reinterpreting it for our times.



2. Valenza's highly stylized drawings are evocative, provocative, and fabulously unique. Each card is painstakingly illustrated but lacks the glitzy clutter of so many over-fluffed decks out there that lose themselves in dumbed-down beauty. This deck demands that you pay attention to the meaning of the card, not just how lovely the pictures are. As the author mentions in one of his interviews, there are no "filler" cards in this deck... and it shows.
   
   The physical cards themselves are rather slippery, making them a tad difficult to handle without spilling them. But this made me pay attention to how I shuffle them, and I'm sure with further use it will be easier-- but just something to note.
   
   So far, the readings I've done using these cards have been full of wry humour and straightforward truth. This deck has a crystal clear "personality" that refuses to compromise. Absolutely no fluff here, just an unabashed and incisive approach to "traditional" Tarot reading.



3. Not your typical tarot deck, and not a tarot deck for a beginner. This deck uses darker and more challanging images, and reaches deeper into the psyche than the standard decks. However, it is wonderful for the adventurous reader.



4. The Deviant Moon Tarot deck is easy to read, even for beginners. The cards are well-detailed. They seem very dark and urban at first glance, or even at a second, but the lightness and variations in expressions allows fuller meaning to each card. You'll want to try these cards just to see if these slightly insane pictures will add a little depth to your readings, and you'll love them if you are a tarot collector!



5. Well, if you're a tarot collector / lover like me, or just a reader with a sense of humor... be ready for a fun ride. This is indeed a unique deck, a piece of art, and a wonderful representation of the darker side f our nature. I just got this deck a few weeks ago and I still can't put it down. It's vibrant and full of character.
   I highly recommended it.
   
   
   Blessings,
   www.shakticonjure.com

5 comments about Winning Low-Limit Hold'em.

1. I'll cut to the part everyone needs to know (with a shocking piece of evidence contained below): this book is full of wishy-washy theoretical and contradictory advice. It's appalling how on a few occasions Jones nonchalantly explains how his view of such-and-such has reversed since the last edition (so, he was wrong then, but now he's right?) All editions have gotten rave reviews. So whenever he is right or wrong, most readers have been praising either way. Usually these jarring swings of his perspective are insultingly supported by almost nothing of substance (keeping well to the theme of his writing style).
   
   I'd like to point out that this is from the writer's THIRD "edition". It seems up until now (or maybe even until further editions), previous owners of the book have merely been paying for drafts, as Jones continues his research and learns poker well enough that he can write an edition with CORRECT advice. It feels like a beta version of a software, released too soon to the public, unjustified in it's retail price.
   
   Now for the shocking evidence, straight from the pages of the third edition.
   The context: Jones is explaining the situation where a pair comes in the flop, in this case 8s. He writes on page 99:
   "...many players are willing to play almost any two cards, so it's hard to figure out the probability of somebody having an 8."
   Only TWO PAGES LATER on 101 he has amnesia and contradicts himself:
   "in a nine-person game, if you see two eights on the flop...there is a 40% chance that nobody at the table was dealt an 8".
   
   How these oversights and contradictions weren't noticed by the hundreds of other praising reviewers, I don't know. Flaws like this make me question the source.
   I believe, as others have pointed out, that most of the (standard) advice in this book is good. The parts that are not good, or missing, may make a decent player into a losing one. You will learn WHAT to do (according to the author), but at the peril of not understanding WHY (as he never sees it important to explain most of it). Until Jones finishes his self-education on poker... and on writing, I will take his advice with a grain of salt.



2. One of the first poker books I ever bought, six years ago, was the first edition of this book. Now it has been updated a couple of times and has definitely improved. The preflop standards are pretty tight, and this will pay off under the proper conditions.
   It seems that limit Hold-em games are slowly dying out online. They seem to be tightening up little by little, as well. But if you take advantage of the best rakeback programs (where you get a piece of the rake, whether you put money into the pot on that hand or not), and if you play tight preflop as recommended in this book, you should make a solid income with very little risk. I originally built my bankroll using the advice in this book, but have switched to the no-limit sit and goes now because they are so juicy. Limit tables are tougher to find now, especially during non-peak hours. Still, if you are just starting out at poker, and want to build your bankroll with minimal risk, I suggest you buy this book. But buy the most recent edition! There have been substantial changes.



3. This is a solid book on poker. The book assumes that you know how to play poker - and focuses on teaching you the strategies to use to beat opponents. Everything you need to know is here - in an understable form. I recommend this book.
   --- Glenn G. Thater - Author of 'Harbinger of Doom'.



4. In a sea of poker books this stands tall as the best introduction and strategy to the most popular poker game of them all Holdem.
   
   This book is the first step on the journey to becoming a winning poker player.



5. I started playing Texas Hold 'em about a month ago. I consistently lost money until I started reading this book. Now I'm winning consistently, and I'm only halfway through it. I don't mind the term "low-limit" being considered synonymous with "beginner-level," because that is what I am. I play 10¢/20¢ tables online right now. I "graduated" from 1¢/2¢, then 2¢/4¢. Next month I hope to hit the 25¢/50¢ tables.
   
   The point is that I haven't deposited a penny from my bank account since I began reading and applying the words of Lee Jones.
   
   The two best pieces of advice I could possibly give to a new player are to read this book, and never sit at a table with more than 10% - 20% of your money. If you can't afford to lose and have another five or 10 chances to play again another day, you're giving your money away to people like me. This may mean playing for pennies (like I do). Don't feel low-class. Let the bad players build your bankroll to prepare you for the big tables -- not your paycheck.
   
   I guarantee I will re-read this book enough that I'll want another copy -- so I just placed one in my Amazon cart. I hesitated to write a review at all -- thinking that I could only help other people take my money. Then I realized that there are already a ton of positive reviews, and I'm still winning barely a month into the game. So if you're smart enough to actually read a book instead of watching tournament play for your poker education, good for you. I hope to see you winning at the next table over.

5 comments about Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities: Limit, No-Limit, and Tournament Strategies.

1. This book will boggle your mind in the beginning with terms and number crunching that probably will need a second or third reading to fully digest ... That is not necessarily a bad thing as long as you don't get frustrated trying to get the the 'meat' of the book. The book gets rolling with more 'advice' and good scenarios from the middle to the end ... although the author does favor certain types of hands. I would not recommend this as a first read for a novice player, but is a good addition to gain this author's prespective on the game.



2. Looks like a good book. I have not made it through the whole thing yet, but I can definitely recommend this vendor.



3. Unless you're a math genius or your name is Chris Ferguson, you need this book.
   
   Top-to-bottom odds and probabilities for limit and no-limit hold'em.
   
   Loaded with charts and explanations. I purchased this book after seeing the charts in the back of the book ... unlike any I've seen elsewhere. You can't go wrong with this book ... it's one of my top favorites.



4. If you had trouble with math in grade school, then this book may be just right for you. But I personally found it was too elementary. Come on--do you really need to explain how to add fractions and how to convert 1/3 to decimals? If you are THAT math-challenged, you probably can't count outs either! By spending so much time on remedial arithmetic, he doesn't cover a lot of ground.
   
   If you've never heard of implied odds and don't have a clue how to size your bets, then by all means buy this book. For anyone who has read one or two poker books, this stuff is too basic--and nothing is new.



5. I previewed this book before I bought it and it seemed like a good value and now that I have it, I still feel that way. The poor reviews from other customers must be from know it alls because unlike many poker titles, it delivers exactly what it says.
   
   If you already know the odds then you dont need this, but I already knew how to calculate with the 2-4 method but it expands on that to add implied odds, and douts. Thats how far I am into this book so far, and I expect the rest of it to be worth the time to read it and the cost.
   
   Do not be misled by the haters. If you are shopping for a book on the subject of texas holdem odds, I would say its worth it. Many poker books are convoluted and this one is perfectly readable. So the people who said it is too basic might be fans of the convoluted books that I dont fully understand, but I found this book useful to re-enforce what I already knew and to help me expand on that knowledge.
   
   Last comment, the book wasnt the holy grail that I couldnt live without, but it definitely gave me a deeper understanding of the subject and I would certainly reccomend it.

1 comments about Play of the Hand in the 21st Century, 3rd Edition: The Diamond Series (Acbl Bridge).

1. Together with the other books in this series, one can get a good starter education in bridge.

5 comments about The Poker Tournament Formula.

1. Being a avid poker player since 2003 I have experimented with differant types of tourney styles and recently put poker tournament formula to the test,against a variety of other styles including,gus hansen,dan harrington,a generic consertative aggressive approach,and my own hybrid style say to speak.
   I was not biased in any style as I have all the books on each player.I played 10 $5 multi table tourneys using each style on ultimate bet.I kept up with each win and loss on microsoft excel.Here are the results:
   All styles were in the negative except 3 styles which were positive they are Gus hansen positive $30.00 Dan Harrington positive $122.00 and poker tournament formula positve $243.00
   I know this is only a 10 tourney test and really about 100 games should be played out to get a more accurate account,but those were the short term results.To be honest with you my fellow poker players I started out as a Dan Harrington Disciple,but it always felt like something was missing no sizzle to the steak so to speak.Poker tournament formula definetely fills in that gap.Also I generally feel more comfortable playing the PTF system than harringtons due also to the fact that it is actually more simply to follow and laid out for you practically in the book as with harringtons you have to piece it all together.Only more test will tell but this style is definetely looking good for the small fast tournaments.



2. I call this book an 'underground' poker classic because it is deeply underappreciated in the poker world. I write a monthly column for one of the largest poker magazine, and in my opinion, it is the single best book for explaining winning tournament strategy...AGGRESSION. The reason aggression is the winning strategy is that a hold'em players greatest weapon at any time is Folding Equity. Meaning your ability to control your raises, and the probability your opponent will lay down their hand. The main problem I see is that the aggressive style does not fit everyone's personality, but if you want a crash course on tournament aggression, this is the book for you.



3. this author teaches some very interesting concepts that defy most the other advice you'll run across. My game has vastly improved due to his stratagies. Big Stuff... and a must read for all NL Holdem Tournament players, new or experienced!!!



4. Often people buy a poker book and feel that they must play in that style. My views are a little different. Read this book to understand your opponent as well. You may choose to not play in this style but understand that there will be people who will. Understand the ideas behind the book and you will be better prepared against someone who plays this style. I have used this style in low buy tmts and if you notice the style of your opponents you can amass alot of chips. Like Snyder says, I used to find myself quickly getting short stacked. I would wait for a premium hand and when I got one my chip stack wouldn't be large enough to scare anyone away and subsequently lose my stack to a much larger one (who could afford to play an inferior hand and suck out). But with a larger stack (from getting more chips in positional plays) players were less likely to play against me and therefore making my stack larger. It also allowed me to withstand a bad beat. One bad beat doesn't knock you out. This is a poker book that makes you think about your game and the game of poker in general and that is always a good thing. If you like reading about poker I highly recomend this book.



5. Ive bought and read many different poker stratagy guides, but this is the first one to pay off.. I was entering one $25.00 tourny a week, and never placing. After reading this, the first tourny i got 24th out of 223. Unfortunatly they only paid the top 20. Next i got 13th out of 67. Again just short as they paid top 9.
   
   The third tourny hit. Not only did i cash, i actually won. I took home $600 for first place after a final table split. Then 2 tournys later, 3rd for another $200. Dont even think, just get this book. His stratagies for Chip, Placement and Card play are invaluable.

5 comments about Elements of Poker.

1. A different point of view.
   Excellent complement of classical litterature about Poker.
   
   One of the best book on the metagame with "the poker mindset"



2. I don't know what the other readers searched in this book but I was looking forward an improvement in my game. Instead this book is all about words and discussion on poker world but NOT about poker strategy itself. I've recently bought about 15 poker books and this was by far the worst of them. Please save your money.



3. I actually went to the author's website before purchasing the book, and found many of his poker 'phrases' quite clever. I went into the book with the mindset of being entertained and I figured if I could glean a few nuggets of wisdom regarding playing poker, it would be worth the investment. Sadly it proved to be not entertaining at all. I have read over 50 poker books. I enjoy the topic and obtaining different perspectives is always enjoyable.
   
   When I was finished with this book, I just had a blank stare on my face. It neither entertained me, nor improved my game. About the only two things that stuck with me from the book were: 1) The author is a poker coach, and 2) don't tilt as much.



4. I helped edit the manuscript, am listed in the thank yous, am a friend of Tommy's, and was coached by him in 2001 before he started charging. So there's my conflict of interest but this is independent truth:
   
   Elements of Poker is the best-written poker book on the market by a wide margin. It is truly a delight to read.
   
   Many players with good A games go broke because they either rarely play their A game or their C game is so bad that their A game doesn't matter. Most people study poker to improve their A game, and most poker books are written towards improving A games. EOP is more about improving your C game, reducing tilt, and overcoming poker pain. If you're not into those things don't buy it. If you are, Elements of Poker is a fine read.
   
   Matt Flynn
   Co-author, Professional No-Limit Hold 'em.



5. There are some books about poker psychology, or, more specifically, controlling your own psychology when dealing with the tilt-inducing parts of poker.
   Tommy Angelo's book is different since it doesn't just tell you not to tilt (like, duh) but gives genuine ideas about what to do when you do (and you will). Also, the chapter on meditation is unique and still highly practical.
   
   Also, Tommy has a wonderfully creative writing style which makes the book just a joy to read.

5 comments about The Mathematics of Poker.

1. Got this on a recommendation. It's been a while since I've used my brain to this extent. I've read other reviews saying that you don't need much math to get through it - don't believe it. I'm only halfway thru the book - there are nuggets of information, and hopefully some very useful info later on...but it's the type of book one would likely have to read a few times to get the gist of it. Unless you've got a math brain like Jesus Ferguson. Recommended to a certain extent.



2. I bought this book thinking it was going to contain analyses of poker. It does not. Let me repeat that. IT DOES NOT. What it does contain are analyses of simple poker-like games, the optimal strategies of which are easily determinable by anyone with a rudimentary knowledge of game theory. The authors, after wasting your time with simple, near obvious results then proceed to draw no useful conclusions applicable to the real game of poker as played for real money in the real world. But if you think having it on your bookshelf will make your poker library complete, then buy one today.



3. As an engineer, I was very excited to start reading this book, then as I started to read, I realized I was in serious trouble. I am the type of player who loves to read strategy poker books, (i.e Harrington on Hold Em, Theory of Poker) but this book in my opinion cannot teach you much about strategy because most of the math presented in the book is very abstract. The authors tell you in the first few pages that if you want to question the material or better understand the material you should refer to a math text because they don't want to scare readers away. However, it is the fact that they cannot present each mathematical truth in detail which causes the book to fail most readers who do not have a mathematical background. If a book could show you how to make the right play in a 3 handed poker game with a simple calculator as opposed to setting up multiple equations using graphs with several variables to accomplish the same goal, a reader would probably go with the calculator.
   
   Overall, the book is very well written and presents great examples of mathematical proof of why a certain play is correct and why others are not correct. If you love mathematical proofs, poker, and working out equations, then you'll probably love this book. However, the book, in my opinion, uses very complicated equations to prove what many poker players probably already understand in a simpler, more straightforward context.



4. When it comes to the everyday poker player this book gets ZERO stars!!
   But - the title does say The Mathematics of Poker. and if you look at it as A complex math book with poker as it's subject then this book gets FIVE stars. unless you're working on, or have, A college Math degree then this book is not for you! The books you should read instead are "Texas Hold'em Odds and Probabilities" by Matthew Hilger - or "Killer Poker By The Numbers" by Tony Guerrera both of these books are way more practical!!!



5. I bought this book and that was a big mistake. The beginning of the book was fine to me. Because almost everything was explained well. but, the more I read into the rest of the book, the more headaches I got.

5 comments about Blackjack Blueprint: How to Play Like a Pro... Part-Time.

1. This book is without doubt the most well written and entertaining blackjack book around right now. I have read many many books on counting cards and the game of blackjack in general and this is by far the funniest read there is while actually giving really good information on counting cards and the game you must play to be a counter. Blackjack Blueprint doesn't bore you to death with super advanced systems that will cause you to sleep after read each single rule. Instead it's filled with many stories and useful information that are completely relevant to the situation that they accompany. If I were to have one blackjack book this would be the one without any doubt in my mind. I will also add that I don't read for fun at all, I only read books that will give me information and teach me how to do stuff. If all books were this good I would read more then I do.



2. Hey its about time a guy put a book together like this*****.
   
   I recommend BJ Blueprint as the first book to read when learning the game. Everything is clearly explained and the stories mixed in are fascinating. Five Star Rating from this reader!
   
   GOOO Train..
   
   Robert



3. If someone could only buy one book on blackjack, I would highly recommend this one. I have been playing & counting for 15 years. This covers everything you need to be a winning player and then some. It also has something for everyone from the first-time novice to the seasoned professional (including some things I'd rather not see in print).
   
   I have a hard time finding anything that was missed in this book, and it is written in straight-forward, easy-to-understand language. If anything is missing, it is the complex math that bogs down most of us anyway. Blaine instead offers up the best ways to make money, and that is what we are really after (at least me anyway).



4. I enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone interesting in learning how to play blackjack. Good for beginners, but also has good material
   for experienced players. Very easy to follow. Has interesting stories about how blackjack teams operate.



5. About as good a as you can find book on the fundamentals of blackjack and card counting. A book for beginners thru experienced players.