No comments about Tax Help for Gamblers: Poker & Other Casino Games.

5 comments about The Complete Book Of Hold 'Em Poker: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Winning.

1. I found this book while reading Matt Matros' "The Making of a Poker Player". Matros has this book as one of the seven he recommends unequivocally. Had it not been for Matros, I would not have known of Gary Carson's book.
   
   This treasure of a book seems to be hidden from the general poker public. I play online exclusively, and I've asked various tablemates about the book. Almost no one seems to know about it. This is an absolute hidden gem, so superior to anything else out there.
   
   The book is not for the complete beginner. In fact Carson himself recommends starting with Lee Jones' "Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em" or Ed Miller's "Getting Started in Hold 'Em". But, after having read and maybe reread one of those two, I'd suggest diving right into "The Complete Book of Hold 'Em" and staying with it for about a year or so. I don't see the need for any other book of poker instruction during that time, except perhaps Carson's own "Casino Poker" in which he introduces most of the different games of poker. (If you just have to read something else, I really like John Feeney's "Inside the Poker Mind" and Roy Cooke's "Real Poker II".)
   
   Well, what about Sklansky, Malmouth, Ciaffone, Hellmuth, Krieger et al? Nope, you don't need any of them. For at least a year, Carson's book is plenty. In fact I would recommend strongly against them, since they could confuse the rock solid foundation you are building with Carson.
   
   What makes this book so good? That is not easy to answer. Carson involves himself with the reality of playing poker; it's a situational approach. He does not fit the game into one single theory. He takes multipe perspectives. He admits it's not an easy, cookbook style (that's what Jones and Miller are for), but it is the only completely honest one. This is a new way of thinking that is levels above what the other poker authors are writing. Other reviewers who have liked the book say how it has changed their thinking, their approach to play; it does if the student puts in the time for study that is required. He will not be spoonfed. He will have to think. But what a difference it will make at the tables!
   
   The book is revolutionary. Why it is not better known, why I had to find it by such a roundabout route, is beyond me. But when you find out it exists, Matusow (my hero) would call you a donkey not to buy it. One other plus which I don't think is trivial in poker literature; Carson knows how to write.



2. The only thing I don't like about this book is the title. This is a great book for limit holdem cash games. It is applicable in online or live play and would be helpful if the game were tight or loose, passive or aggressive. In fact, one of the great strengths of the book is how it helps one evaluate the table and play according to who is actually there and not according to how some group of players were playing at a $40/80 table in Las Vegas in 1978.
   
   The emphasis on table selection and on flexibility in play makes this a valuable tool for increasing ones profits or even for the beginner. Rather than giving formulas (formulae?) Carson gives guidelines for thinking about situations. The tables of starting hands that he provides should be taken with a grain of salt, as he says himself.
   
   But enough of Mr. Nice Guy, why did I call it incomplete?
   
   1: He only touches on big-bet Holdem, No-Limit and Pot-Limit. The advice he gives on it big-bet is very good. In fact some of it is extremely valuable. However, it is only a splash in the very lage pond. This is understandable because the NL boom had not arrived at the time the book was released. NL tourneys were common but cash games all over the country were still overwhelmingly limit.
   
   While understandable, it is a shame becuase NL has become more important as the months go by and because Mr. Carson has been a succesful NL cash player and knows what he is talking aobut.
   
   2: His tournament advice is also brief, not inspired and not worth mentioning. If all you want to do is play tourneys, the book is worth the low price but that's about it.
   
   So why do I give it five *s?
   
   Because my hourly rate in the LHE games at Foxwoods, which was already good, doubled in the few months after I read this book and absorbed its ideas.



3. This is one of the best Texas Hold'em books out there. Gary has an interesting way of looking at the game that is thought provoking. His insights can make you a better player, but I suggest trying to digest the material here slowly. It is easy to misunderstand or misapply the concepts here. Like any other good poker book, this is a book that you should study, rather than just read.
   
   There is very little discussion of the specifics of pot-limit, no-limit, spread-limit, and tournament poker in this book. The book does discuss these topics, but those chapters are thin and seem to be added as an afterthought. Nonetheless, much of the material is applicable to any form of Texas Hold'em, once you understand it well. It does seem that Gary is primarily a limit Hold'em player, or that he was when he wrote this book.
   
   Also, Gary Carson is an active participant of the Usenet group rec.gambling.poker. Gary has clarified some of the concepts in his book on this public forum.



4. Having read and studied most of the more popular books available on the subject, I bought this book with a view to getting a different perspective, rather than any hope for new insights.
   
   Upon reading it I was more than pleasantly surprised by the content. It has to be one of the best books I've read on the subject.
   
   Like most of the reviewers, I wouldn't recommend it as a first book for someone wanting to learn hold `em. Some of the views expressed in the book are unconventional and not appropriate for beginners. However, barring the complete novice, I can wholeheartedly recommend this book as one of the top 5 most useful books I've read (and I've read quite a few). Not because of it's groundbreaking suggestions, but rather this book is genuinely aimed at getting the reader to think about why he should make a particular decision. It helps the reader to think like an experienced hold `em player, rather than providing a set of rules for play in specific circumstances.
   
   For instance, in his chapter on seat selection, when he recommends that you sit maniacs to your left (contrary to most authors who recommend the opposite), it comes after a discussion of the varying perspectives or `theories' of poker. According to Carson, most authors focus on the fact that `poker is a game of incomplete information'. In his view, however, the `poker is a game of strategy and deception' theory is more appropriate when making this particular decision. "You get very little extra information from having a maniac on your right, but having him on your left expands your tactical playing options tremendously".
   
   There is no false pretence that this is the only book you will ever need on hold `em. In fact the author provides frank reviews of the more popular hold `em books with honest opinions on their value.
   
   Whether you agree or not is irrelevant; rather it is the thought process that matters. This is a book that will definitely help develop your thought on the game of hold `em poker.



5. The book is a guide...
   U cant go wrong!Great for the green and the experianced player!
   Get it.

3 comments about No Limit.

1. I found No Limit to be disturbingly real. Hautman does a great job of showing a how a young man changes from earning money by mowing lawns to professional gambling.
   
   "This the part where you maybe think I'm going to tell you that I lost all my money. It could have happened that way. Sometimes I wish it had." That quote haunted me throughout my reading of the book. I could not put it down. I cheered when Doyle lost. I grieved when he won.
   
   A mature reader will recognize what gambling cost Doyle, an immature reader will not.
   
   The characters are realistic, the effort to alert Doyle to the consequences of his actions are superbly done. I felt I knew Doyle. I have live near gambling establishments of one sort or another most of my life and have seen first hand what can happen.
   
   This was a real story. I am looking forward to the sequel. Thanks Pete for a great book!



2. This book is about your average sixteen-year-old, who owns his own landscaping business, and isn't quite sure he wants to return to school for twelfth grade. His name is Dennis Doyle. When some buddies of his want to play poker, he half-heartedly says yes. Then, something really, really bad happens; he wins. After that, Dennis is hooked on this game, full of luck and strategy. Winning game after game after game, Dennis seems to have it all. But there are some surprises around the corner that even Dennis, with all his money, may not be able to face.



3. I'm a big fan of this author, but this book just didn't cut it for me. There is nothing in the material about the book that indicates it is written for the youth market, but it certainly seems as though that is the case. A rather simple story, quite briefly, but not badly told. It warns about addiction, which I belive the author has had to deal with in his life. In any event, I was disappointed. You will have to make your own judgment.

5 comments about Easy Dollars: At the Pick 3-Pick 4 Daily Lotto.

1. One often assumes that lotteries are random drawings. This is correct, but what if there were a way to accuratly predict the winning numbers? I have had 3 straight hits using the book and many box hits. 2 of my straight hits were back 2 back. This is the best of 3 lotto books that I've purchased and I will continue to use it daily. This book in no way predicts winning numbers, but it helps you to decide what numbers are most likly to hit and which are not. Keep in mind that lotteries are still random and the balls can pop any way they want. So while this book my not be right for everyone it is right for me. If you play daily lotto games this is a good book to have on the shelf.



2. This book is what helps seperate a serious lotto player from a gambler. I was cautious at first but.......You must do your homework for this book to help, but if you do, and follow the instructions carefuly you will INCREASE your odds of WINNING dramiticaly. I have hit the pick three three 3 times and the pick four straight/box once for over $2000.00 within a month since using this book. The book also helped me develop my own techniques for picking pairs and number trends. I would recommend this book to any person who wants to play smarter and win.



3. There is no way to ensure that you will win "easy money". The lottery is completely based upon luck. Calculating probabilities does not even necessarily increase your chances of winning since the lottery cannot be predicted.
   
   Of course, you chances in Pick 3 and Pick 4 games are certainly better than the bigger games, but the only way to ensure that you win is to buy a ticket with every number on it.
   
   This book is misleading and not informative. There is much more helpful information on the internet for free. Simply type in "how to win pick 3," "how to win pick 4," "lottery strategies", etc. in a search engine and you're bound to find tons of helpful information. If you don't know where to search, you can also check out [...] for lottery tips and strategies for free.



4. The title is not actually true as we all know; in this world it is not easy.
   
   But the methods are sound, this book is base on pick 3 and the examples used are base from the Texas Lottery Pick 3 of the year 1995. The wheeling system is good and how you use the number selection method is great, just read it carefully.
   
   If you're looking to make a fortune then you have wasted your money on purchasing this item.
   
   If you're looking to win a little here and there then this book is for you. It's written for daily players; it's very helpful for the new players and gives the experience players more change ups on number selection
   
   I used pencil and paper method along with excel to compare notes
   
   Remember this book was based on the Pick 3 in 1995; use your best judgment and the correct bankroll
   
   Good Luck
   



5. I purchased this book in 2007 and I have caught the cash 3 daily drawing thirty times. Before buying this item I had only won twice in seven years. This is a great book and will turn a poor player into a winner!
   this item is a great tool to be used in lottery pools to select daily numbers. If you are willing to be patient and follow the simple instructions you will be amazed at the results. I won the first week I used this system!! Thanks

5 comments about Alternity Player's Handbook (Alternity Sci-Fi Roleplaying, Core Book, 2800).

1. The alternity game was the forerunner to D20 it wasn't even supposed to be mainstream!



2. Alternity is easy to understand, the game system is realistic, but the possibilities are limitless.



3. Alternity is the still the best Role-playing system for 'realistic' role-playing, or 'gritty' campaign settings. This is due to two main reasons... It's skill-based system, and it's adaptability.
   
   Skill based systems mean that your character gets better at skills as he advances, but doesn't become super strong, or better at everything he does. This means that in Alternity, no longer can a player simply walk over and take the gun/sword/+5 earspoon away from the minor villain, because he'll only receive 6 points of damage, and he has 45 total for his character.
   
   What this means for players is that no longer do they have to await the eventual point where they are un-defeatable, except by demi-gods, demons and all that foolishness. They can remain the space-ship captain/FBI agent/whatever-the-campaign-is for the entire time they play. The challenge remains present, the setting remains beleivable, the suspense is retained. The story becomes the driving force of the adventure, not "leveling-up".
   
   The other part of the game that is superior to many other systems is just that adaptability. The system focuses on helping the Game-master to fit the rules to the setting... If you want to play an X-files FBI-agent, a dungeon-crawling adventurer, a Star Trek starship captain, a cop drama, Alternity rules can be adapted to the system with relatively little work. No extra feats or skills to invent, or weapons to design unless you want to. You are not limited to a particular medieval or future setting, as you are with most RPG products.
   
   Alternity was the last release made by TSR before it was acquired by Wizards of the Coast (WOTC). The acquisition of TSR was intended mostly to capitalize on the already established AD&D titles, and WOTC was un-interested in continuing the launch of a new product. Instead, they re-focused their brand onto D&D, resulting in a third release of that product and the design of the d20 system. d20 is not a bad system for heroic and action settings, but this one is better for retaining drama, grit, and suspense.
   
   And as for the comment that this system was not intended for public release... That person was probably in diapers in the early nineties, when TSR advertised it nationwide in their magazines and at conventions. I still have some TSR 'Dragon' Magazines with articles written for Alternity.



4. Fan of this old series and was tired of the old d20 rules. These rules seem more "realistic".



5. If you are tired of the d&d edition wars try alternity. It is as easy or complex as you want it. Has many 4e pros (same writers) and is VERY adaptable. I have run scifi,superheros,steampunk,hary potter and D&D (with only the 2 cor books and the fx guide). It plays a like d&d with a side of gurps and a dash of FUDG. I have played most rpgs and out of all of them this is IMO the best "all around". In the end if you want a cheaper simpler rpg than give alternity a shot. Search for "Alternity fast play rules" for a free trial.

5 comments about Blackbelt in Blackjack : Playing 21 as a Martial Art.

1. This book is so informative. I am learning the ins and outs of the game of blackjack. Also, the price was much less that going to the store to buy. It was shipped in a few days and I am very pleased overall.



2. good book written by a great person who had a lifelong experience in counting.



3. A must for any blackjack player book collection ,The Very "Instruction manual" like writing style is more tedious than learning the full indices for Zen count.
   Not enough shuffle tracking information, perhaps this is done purposefully.
   If your looking for a blackjack book , then do not even consider not getting this book.
   Definitely not a "fun" read but a somewhat necessary read.



4. This was a very good book that explains several techniques and has a lot of depth concerning how to use one's bankroll when playing blackjack, but most of the information provided is found in free internet websites, except for the management of bankroll, which I found very interesting and effective.



5. The book itself is full of information, but not as much as I was hoping. Snyder promotes his counting systems and doesn't go into as much detail on other topics as I had hoped. But it's still a good book.

5 comments about Slot Smarts: Winning Strategies at the Slot Machine.

1. As we say in the Old Country, this one's a "corker," a real pick-me-up and put-down "read". Good for browsing which is about all travelling slotters like me get to do en route to the next tournament. The author had won me over well before I got to his piece on slot tournaments. Beats me why others haven't woken up to that lure yet. Best of all worlds! Fun galore and somebody in the group is always guaranteed to take out the big money. Makes sense to me but then most of this book does, and for old pros like me too. After some of the junk put out by "experts" on one-armed bandits, this book sticks to reality. We all need a game plan before the money goes in AND we all need to stick to it. That makes real sense.



2. I read this short book in one night. The strategies for playing the machines are well documented and easy to follow. My only complaint is too much time repeating the basics of limiting your gambling to money you can afford to lose and limiting your expectations for profit--we all know that I hope. But I'm going to try the strategies on my next trip to the casinos and I'll let you know if they work then...



3. This book would have received higher "stars", however, the author is too moralistic in preaching on the perils of slot playing. There is too much information in this book that the average slot player is already aware of. The book was disappointing from this stand point. I did use the author's spreadsheet to enable better tracking for my future slot sessions. Frankly, the book is overpriced for the knowledge gleaned.



4. I'd like to start out by thanking the author. I've been a gambler for several years, but not a very smart one. I used the - Green Plan - on quarters and it worked for me. I made a profit late in the afternoon. Had I been playing 3 quarters all along, I would have run out of money hours earlier. I'm anxious to study up on the other work plans and put them to the test.

   It was a new feeling for me that I was in control of the outcome much more than ever before. I recommend it for the gambler that likes to go often, but can't afford it if they lose. This way, you win a little or lose a little, and can afford to keep visiting the casino.

   It sure beats some of my previous strategies, like rabbits feet, wearing red and walking around an oak tree during the full moon.

   Thank you, Claude.




5. There is good advice on how not to lose your money. I pretty much do what the man says anyways.I went to an Indian Casino and won a little like I always do,but am anxious to try out the machines he tells of in Atlantic City in April.I think the Indian Casino's aren't set up the same as the others.Like he says it is work to win and I always do,but only win between $100.00 and $400.00 which is good for me.Read the book if this is your first time at a Casino and playing slots.

1 comments about Caro's Secrets of Winning Poker.

1. The came of Poker, despite being perceived as simply a card game of gambling, is a matter more of skill than luck in the long run. "Caro's Secrets of Winning Poker" is written by Mike Caro, who is widely recognized as one of the poker's most talented mind's. In the pages of this instructional guide, Caro reveals secrets and explains strategies so that both casual and serious players alike can improve their game by substantial margins. With an introduction included for novice players, countless other tips for newbies and pros alike, "Caro's Secrets of Winning Poker" is very highly recommended reading for anyone seeking master the game of poker and wants advice from a master player.

5 comments about Championship No Limit & Pot Limit Hold 'Em (Championship Series).

1. there is some good stuff in this book and written in simple terms



2. As the title implies, the authors discuss every hand that [they] think is playable in a tourney and describe how to play them in limit, no-limit and pot-limit events. There's also a discussion of some important hands that were played in past WSOP championship events. However, I found the information and discussion to be a bit shallow.
   
   McEvoy and Cloutier seem to take a cookie cutter approach when describing how to play the hands. When you have hand X you do action Y. While they [somtimes] modify the action to be taken based on position, there is almost no discussion of the changes that your stack size would dictate. Nor is there much discussion of how hands play differently early in the tournament at full tables vs. late at short tables.
   
   Discussion of how to play various hands on the flop and later are seldom given much in-depth discussion.
   
   Anyone following the advice would be fairly predictable.
   
   Lastly it should be noted that the authors are two long-time successful players. While overall I was disappointed, there were a few points that struck me as very useful. Hence the two stars instead of one.



3. I must admit this is one essential poker book that should be in every poker player's library. Tj and Tom give you expert analysis on the proper way to play particular hands. I really value their experience given all the bracelets and tournaments they've both won. Tj Cloutier gives great advice on knowing your opponents and tendencies to make your decisions at the poker table. Even though much of the advice in this book at first look can be interpreted as conservative, its really the best book on tournament poker strategy. Tj stresses no limit holdem is all about survival and making smart decisions where you don't have to take too many chances will ensure you do survive. For example Tj states "In the first round of the World Series, as well as in the first round of the smaller buy-in events at the WSOP, a pair of kings is not a big enough hand to get broke with. The only hand that is big enough to get broke with before the flop is two aces." Who'd a thought that at first glance!



4. This book contains many stories and not that much poker-tips.
   
   The tips are pretty basic and many of them are told repeatedly throughout the book. The result of that is a book with 304 pages that contains a net total of maybe 100 pages of poker-lessons. Not good. Sure, the stories are very entertaining to read and the authors both have a LOT of experience, but I got this book to get better at tournaments. Not for entertainment reading.
   
   I regret that I bought this book. Recently I threw myself into Dan Harrington's vol.1 and vol.2 and they're great. I highly recommend them. Actually I can't even think of a single bad thing to say about them.
   
   Sorry T.J.!



5. I'm not sure who this book is intended for. The down home, folksy style of writing makes it easy and accessible, like a good beginners book. But some topics that beginners absolutely need to learn, like pot odds and implied odds, are skimmed over and barely touched on. Other times, they'll simply repeat the same thing over and over again, with different ways of phrasing it. I get that you need "iron balls" to play hold 'em; no need to word it 5 different ways in the span of two pages.
   
   The authors also like to make grand pronouncements and hold fast rules, as if they're reading from a stone tablet or something (this is not a direct quote from the book, but they do mention this "concept"): "Thou shalt not draw to a flush unless ye have the nut flush draw AND two overcards!" Ignore, for a second, the absurdity of that statement; I just hate it when poker players say things like that as if they're the gospel truth. There are going to be times where you should put money into the pot with a non-nut flush draw or even simply two overcards, let alone both of them. The overall strategy described in this book is uber-tight, to say the least. They're much more concerned with protecting their own chips then they are with taking them from others. That's not a bad strategy for a beginner to start with, but if that's as far as your poker skills get, you're going to leave a lot of money on the table.
   
   This book is not without it's highlights. The discussion on how to play small pocket pairs is refreshing, if only because two dissenting viewpoints are discussed. T.J. doesn't really like them, Tom will play any pair. Personally, I agree with Tom, especially if the stacks are deep. The implied odds you get from hitting a set make it a very profitable hand to play, as long as you can get some action when you hit it. If you're at a table full of nits who don't pay off (players like T.J., for example), you probably shouldn't waste your money with the small pairs unless you're simply trying to steal the pot pre-flop (basically playing it like a semi-bluff.)
   
   Overall, I was very disappointed with this book. I think the main problem is it's target audience. It seems like the authors wrote this with serious poker players in mind, but a lot of it reads more like a beginners book. If I had found this a few years back when I played ATC (any two cards) this would have been exactly what I needed. Now that I know how to play the good kind of loose, this book does nothing for me.
   
   If you're a real tight player, you may find this book comforting. Everyone else should move along, there's nothing to see here. If this is "the bible of poker", as the back cover claims, then call me an atheist, cause I ain't buying it.

5 comments about Unofficial Guide to Casino Gambling.

1. I originally bought a copy of "The Unofficial Guide to Casino Gambling" on impulse, at a book store, while researching a totally different topic. (I'm one those people who wander around bookstores for hours and always end up finding something interesting to buy.) The border notes hooked me into the purchase. I had to read more. The main text was even better... easy to read, often gently humorous, and very informative about odds, strategy, and the world of casinos. I am now ordering another copy to donate as a raffle prize. The more serious gambler can improve his odds, and will approach his next casino experience with a fresh perspective. The non-gambler will just have fun reading it, and gain some knowledge about what casinos are all about. Either one will come away having learned something. You write extemely well, Mr. Nestor!



2. Read this book if you are on a tight budget (like me). All casino games are covered, but my great challenge is video poker. My bankroll is only $100 these days. After reading, and chuckling, through the whole book, especially some of the margin notes, I decided to make my gambling sessions more methodical. (1) I learned to walk away early if I am ahead from when I started. I now take profits suitable to my investment and to my mood that day. You, too, will learn how to set your "investment goals". (2) The more hands I can play with my measly $100 bankroll, the more chances I have to win a Royal (it has happened!), so I learned to go for optimum play, not dollars. That has become my real goal. This book sets you on that course. (3) My "reward" when I lose (I do that, too!)is how much of my little bankroll I am able to hold on to during any 3 hour session. (4) I learned to really enjoy my casino visits and get better at my game at the same time. Players of other casino games will, too. They will be entertained by the whole book, and learn to play their favorite games better and with a better perspective. They may also be blessed with more money to play with. That helps to win more dollars, but the real goal is to have more fun doing it. Thanks for a great book!



3. This guide was what I was looking for -- a complete, easy to use (and easy to carry) book on the math and best methods of casino gambling plus information about casino operations and management (I would like to have had more in this area, but what is there is good). I would recommend this book to anyone who thinks the title fits what they're looking for...



4. As a layman, that is non-professional and occasional gambler, (after all, I live a stone's throw from Las Vegas!)my curiosity was piqued by the fact that some people seem to have some sort of psychic insight into gaming. How did they do it? Could I do it myself?
   I asked a woman, a "high-roller," how she always seemed to cash in on the jackpots. "Oh," she said, " you just go to the new machines." Wow! But how do you know which ones are new? "You just know." I'm sorry, I'm too pragmatic for such an airy answer.
   However, I did find what I was looking for in the "Unofficial Guide to Casino Gambling."
   I'm still not a millionaire, but I'll tell you I have a lot more fun knowing some of the insider information than I ever did just playing blindly and not knowing what I was really doing wrong.
   Read it. You'll love it.



5. I went through about 20 books at the mega book store and found this one. Although there are many different games, I wanted the fundamentals on SLOTS, VIDEO POKER, and CRAPS.

   This book examines far more games than what I wanted.

   The writing is easy to read, interesting, and helpful. My wife and I have visited casinos a few times. We went to Biloxi, MS last week to see The Eagles in concert (fabulous!) and went to some of the casinos. I got this book before going. My wife is really only interested in slots.

   The times we gambled before, we were completely ignorant. THAT is how the casinos make so much money! This time, we walked in with an entirely different understanding and attitude.

   Based on the slot machine fundamentals we learned, we played at 3 different casinos for about 6 hours. Each play was with $40-$60, at one machine playing together :). That is a little low, I'd prefer $100 bankroll. We played quarter slots only, one at a time. Although with $100+, I'd play max coins. Our purpose was totally entertainment, have fun together, and not be rushed.

   Because of the book, we knew how to evaluate and understand the different machines, and where to look for the looser machines. That is part of the fun.

   We left up $12, had quite a few drinks, did some people watching, and had a great time.

   Our favorite casinos in Biloxi were the Grand Casinos in both Biloxi and Gulfport, about 10 miles apart. Each has a HUGE non-smoking slot area. How nice!