Blonde Poker - Book Review

The Poker Encyclopedia

Wed, 19 Dec 2007 05:50:44 +0000

Do you know what the ‘argine’ is? How to play Heinz, Anaconda and Mexican Flip? What degree Isabelle Mercier has? No? Well, what kind of rounded, experienced, card enthusiast doesn’t at least harbour a curiosity as to the minutiae of table talk and the history of the game which has developed beyond all recognition in the last ten years. The Poker Encyclopedia, published by Portico, compiled by Elkan Allen and Hannah Mackay, does the job better than any other publication I have seen so far. There also lurks a preface by Anthony Holden within the perfectly marvellous green baize cover.

Ghosts At The Table - Des Wilson

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:31:23 +0100

With ‘Swimming with the Devilfish’, veteran author Des Wilson burst onto the poker literary scene quicker than a jet propelled whippet and could often be heard mumbled in the same sentences as Al Alvarez and Anthony Holden as one of the industry’s most intrepid observers.

Just one year on, and Des is back guns a blazing with his latest offering, ‘Ghosts at the Table’. Successfully melding together a historic and investigative approach, Des’ endless mission to unearth some of the game’s most intriguing secrets sees him travel to an array of legendary poker sites such as Deadwood, Tombstone and Mississippi before moving on to more modern locations like California, Texas and the home of poker, Las Vegas.

Commencing his journey in the gun-slinging town of Deadwood, Des wastes no time in searching for answers, his first foray into the mystical seas of poker ignorance seeing him pose questions such as who was Bill Hickok, what actually was the Dead Man’s hand, and did it even happen? It is this line of probing questioning that provides the spine for the entire book, Des not just trying to learn about the ‘Ghosts at the Table’, but also attempting to have a quick peak at the cards they held so close to their chest.

From here on in, Des has set the framework for his tale and travels to various locations across the United States armed with a dogged determination to explore every nook and cranny and challenge any supposed truths. Quickly luring you into the enviable romanticism of his adventure, you can’t help but share his enthusiastic gung ho attitude as he continues to question the very existence of some of these poker ‘facts’.

Although not the book’s largest chapter, the real meat of ‘Ghosts at the Table’ lies in the investigation of the Texas road gamblers, as it is here where Des’ true talent bobs to the surface, his ability to examine and evaluate the game’s characters being one of the alluring aspects that made ‘Swimming with the Devilfish’ such a hit. Still keeping one eye firmly fixed upon the historical progress of the game, what Des seems to revel in is breaking the surface of their legendary status and throwing yet more questions into the melting pot: What sort of man is Amarillo Slim, did Doyle Brunson cheat at poker, and why the heck does TJ Cloutier still play craps?

As Des effortlessly leads us from the rise of the Poker’s Godfathers, Benny Binion and Doyle Brunson, into the evolutionary surroundings of the World Series of Poker, the focus on characters and burrowing into their worlds still exists, Des utilising every text, contact and source at his disposal to learn more about some of poker’s greats. But still he maintains that relenting drive to re-evaluate the history books and blow dust off the pages that have yet to be examined thoroughly, his desire to learn more about what happened on certain occasions triggering a wealth of fascinating anecdotes, from the fixed main event in 1972, to Stu Ungar’s remarkable victory in 1997, right up to the triumph of Moneymaker in 2003 and the impending explosion of poker.

However, amid all these enlightening anecdotal jewels is a true gem, a chapter intent on finding a real WSOP mind-boggler in little known Hal Fowler. Momentarily spotlighted for winning the 1979 World Series Main Event in an epic heads up battle against Bobby Hoff, Hal seemingly vanished off the face of the Earth and was never seen again in the world of poker. Along with his knowledge of Hal as a drugged up amateur who didn’t seem to have a clue what he was doing, Des once again dons his long coat and trilby hat to hunt down the aforementioned enigma, this time even employing the help of a private detective!

After assessing some of poker’s biggest games (predominantly centred around the infamous Andy Beal), Des briefly covers the poker boom, thankfully keeping the section short so as not bore the reader with what they already know. However, this is all a prelude to the real treat that climaxes the book, Des providing his readers with a surprise delight and taking us through his own WSOP experience. Retelling his journey through the 2007 main event with the enthusiasm of a child on Christmas Day, Des describes his hands, emotions and progress through the World’s biggest poker tournament and ends the book in fitting mood: one that perfectly expresses both the growth and popularity of the game.

With such a broad canvas creating so many potential pitfalls, repeating the success of ‘Swimming with the Devilfish’ was always going to be a tough task, but it’s clear that Des’ extensive experience in the journalistic field has served him well as ‘Ghosts at the Table’ is an undoubted delight and will surely be read for years to come.

On many occasions I have heard Des himself describe ‘Ghosts at the Table’ as a “history of poker”, but to simplify it in such terms just doesn’t do the book justice. As well as the endless Poirot-esque investigations, there is a certain charm that arises from the book, not simply from his fluid, passionate, easy-to-relate-to writing style, but from the many entertaining anecdotes that are prised from the various character assessments.

I often feel like I know a lot about poker, but when I hear of how Amarillo hid his money in a bowel of soup, Puggy Pearson was physically attacked by a dealer and her stiletto and after being told a game was crooked, Canada Bill replied, “I know, but it’s the only game in town”, you realise that there is a lot more to poker than just a timeline. The game is about people, the players, the characters who make poker the fun recreational activity that it is, was, and always will be. It is this segment of the game that Des so successfully brings to the table.

‘Ghosts at the Table’ both educates and entertains and is a must have for any self-claiming poker fan.

At the risk of being slated by the naysayers, I give it 10 blonde stars out of 10.

The Making Of A Poker Player - Matt Matros

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 05:09:00 +0100

In recent years we have seen a steady supply of new poker books coming onto the market, with varying degrees of quality. One of the challenges for poker authors is how to appeal to an audience who have read the Super System and Harrington series many times over - after all, there really are only so many times you can be advised on how to play pocket Aces pre-flop! It was therefore a pleasure to read The Making Of A Poker Player as this book is far more than a simple strategy guide.

Little Green Book - Phil Gordon

Wed, 16 May 2007 20:04:51 +0100

A pre-poker internet multi-millionaire, philanthropist and adventurer, though he'd finished fourth in the 2001 WSOP Main Event, 3rd in the 2002 WSOP Pot-Limit Omaha Event, and won the 2004 Bay 101 Shooting Stars event, most new poker enthusiasts know Phil Gordon as the co-host of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown which is frankly a complete “donkfest” and was barely watchable except for Phil’s acerbic commentary and asides. Phil is a likeable television performer ( and sensibly has now left that particular programme ) and clearly a talented player and both aspects come out in his writing.

The Education of a Poker Player - Herbert O'Yardley

Thu, 03 May 2007 01:56:39 +0100

So the book I’m going to review was written over fifty years ago and is primarily instructive in games you have never played and are quite unlikely to ever play, there’s no mention of No Limit Hold’em and the internet was just a twinkle in some boffin's eye. You're thinking this is probably a bit of a waste of your time aren’t you? Well I hope to convince you otherwise because I found the book to be interesting and instructive and it has opened my eyes in aspects of the game that I had never considered before.

The reason this book is a useful tool today is because poker is about so much more than starting positions and hand ranking charts. I found the ‘folksy’ tales from the tables the author uses to underline specific poker lessons a fascinating insight into another time and shows that although many years have past since the author penned the book, poker players have changed very little and played the game as hard and fast as any internet wiz kid or high stakes player does today. Maybe more so, not sure Roland De Wolfe would attempt to scoop a pot up as one of the players Yardley describes does whilst local farmer ‘Bones Alverson’ still grips his cards from a fatal heart attack!

The early lessons from his rounder mentor and tutor ‘Monty’ give a fascinating insight into playing the situation and not the cards, a part of the game which is more prevalent today than ever before and translate beautifully to No Limit Hold’em. A personal favourite lesson is the importance of neither over or under estimating opponents and is beautifully demonstrated with a story about playing spoof for marbles.

As for actual playing instruction, well I have many seven card stud books and am a dedicated student of this variation of the game. Yardley’s section for seven card stud in this book is one of the finest I have ever read. I would go as far as saying that just reading the first two pages of this chapter would turn a losing low limits seven card stud player into a profitable player, that’s how highly I regard this chapter.

In summation, this book won’t help your No Limit Hold’em game to the extent of Harrington or Sklanksy but it will certainly help you understand your opponents a little better and some of the tales will make you chuckle.

Secrets Of Pot Limit Omaha - Rolf Slotboom

Thu, 03 May 2007 01:10:18 +0100

With every single pro now seeming to wet his beak in the poker book market and the Harrington volumes seemingly ubiquitous by their presence, other than Super System, there are very few books that cater for the non-hold 'em games. As someone who plays a fair deal of PLO (mostly at the 1/2 and 2/4 levels), I'm often left feeling like a Newcastle United fan, watching all the other fans from other clubs always get what they need and wondering when it'll be our turn... Oh hang on, that is me... But never fear! In to this void steps Rolf Slotboom's "Secrets of Professional Pot-Limit Omaha". Rolf works mainly in the media updating the big tournaments in Europe and writes for Cardplayer and is a regular high stakes PLO player with a very unique and sucessful style, the secrets of which he has all but given up in this complex, but interesting and rewarding book.

The Book Of Bluffs - Matt Lessinger

Wed, 26 Jul 2006 11:14:23 +0100

I had a bucketload of blonde Poker League Action Points to use and absentmindedly one day thought I would look in the Action Points store. After all, there are only so many 3,548 runner freerolls you can play to use your points up and retain your sanity.

In the store on a whim therefore, I came across this book. I was aware of Lessinger as a writer on CardPlayer but knew little else about him. Indeed this is Lessinger’s first book. I am also a fan of slightly quirky poker books, something a little different from the very familiar mathematics and theory so often found elsewhere. So, 17,000 points later, I was the owner of this book.

Kill Phil - Blair Rodman & Lee Nelson

Fri, 17 Feb 2006 01:52:23 +0000

Hellmuth may be the most nefarious Phil in poker, but to assume that 'Kill Phil' is centred around any wish to murder the poker brat would be excessively presumptuous. In fact, the name 'Phil' refers to all those sharks preying on the countless rookies who now swarm the major tournaments. This book is therefore predominantly designed for the up-and-comer, one who is merely aware of the basics and unable to match the skill possessed by the professional player.

Kill Phil's acclaimed authors are Blair Rodman and Lee Nelson, both of whom boast extensive tournament experience. Within 222 pages, the two experts suggest various strategies for taking on the Phils of poker, siting specific techniques that can be used to minimise the effect of the pro's superior skill level.

The Kill Phil strategy is divided into four main segments; Rookie, Basic, Basic Plus, and Expert. As we progress through each section, we learn more and more ways of counteracting the skill and experience advantage of the professionals. These can vary from limiting their post flop play, to feigning weakness through fake tells. The theory is that by making these plays, you can limit their choices, make them fear the luck factor, and generally show them that you aren't prepared to be bullied off pots.

After an ego-massaging foreword from Hellmuth and a rather unnecessarily lengthy introduction, we stumble upon Kill Phil Rookie. Here, the premise is simple. If you find a hand, you move in, no frills, no messing around, just pure stack shoving. The idea is to limit the Phil's options by overbetting and pushing big hands as early as possible. This approach is really only for those who have little or no confidence in their ability to outplay an opponent. If you are brave enough to confess to such a lack of know-how, then this technique is probably your best chance of survival.

After what many poker veterans will see as a somewhat tedious chapter, we eventually move on to Kill Phil Basic. Although the basis of play still revolves around a reluctance to play flops, we are now encouraged to consider aspects such as position, the cost to play a round, and bet size. We are also introduced to our first trap play, the check raise, but we are still asked to adhere to the all-in policy. The message is that, whenever we make our move, we must put the Phil to a decision for all his chips. This is a situation that they would rather avoid, and so gives the amateur his best chance of staying alive.

The next step, Kill Phil Basic Plus, requires us to take on board even more skills. Stack sizes, table image, and avoiding traps are all accounted for with table composition and player image also being thrown into the melting pot. It is within this section that we really start to modify the black and white playing style preached in earlier sections. Rodman and Lee hint that if you have reached this far, then you're capable of playing a more intelligent game, perhaps thinking more about why you are making your decision, rather than just acting habitually.

The final approach is that of Kill Phil Expert. Within this section it is assumed that you have accrued all the skills preached in previous chapters and are able to develop a more advanced understanding of the game. For some, the jump from Basic Plus to Expert may be too large too comprehend. Whilst the former remains focused on a tight patient style, the latter discusses complex strategies that are shared by many of the Phils. Tactical plays such as pushing rags with multiple limpers, defending against mini-raises, and when to steal the blinds are heavily emphasised. The authors still acknowledge inferiority to the Phils, but they make you aware of some of the ploys that they utilise so frequently. We therefore finally start to think about our opponents hand, rather than just our own.

The Expert section is also where we learn of the psychological side of poker. Conveying strength, feigning weakness and reverse tells are all highlighted. The readers are not only urged to be aware of these tendencies, but also encouraged to put them into practice themselves. For example, as it is noted that an inexperienced sigh equates to weakness, Rodman and Lee advocate sighing when bluffing, so as to induce the Phil into passing. This is one of the rare occasions where the authors' advice is designed to outwit the Phil, using to the reader's advantage his or her seemingly rookie status. The book on a whole is very much concerned with accepting inferiority and looking for ways to nullify the skill advantage of the Phils.

After taking on board the information incorporated into the Kill Phil strategy, chapter 11 puts it all into practice, showing the reader how each lesson can be implemented within a specific tournament scenario. It is here that the usefulness of what can sometimes seem like an overly simplistic method, suddenly becomes apparent. This turns out to be a very enjoyable segment and one which may help the advanced reader acknowledge the effectiveness of the techniques being used.

Finally, but previous to the standard drivel of appendices, is a section called 'Attitudes and Latitudes'. This chapter is accessible to rookies and experts alike and highlights controversial topics such as luck, poker ethics and penalties. Of particular interest are the discussions on the rules of poker and the potential manipulation of what is identified as a vulnerable part of the game. Whether it's stalling, under-raising, or playing out of turn, they're all frowned upon by the authors, who condemn those who employ such underhand tactics.

Overall, Kill Phil is a very intriguing read. Whether you're a complete rookie or an experienced veteran, this book should be of vast interest. Whilst amateurs will be handed a tool for combating the Phils, the expert will be made aware of some of the dynamic and aggressive styles being adopted by the young guns of poker. Grumbling at their overbets and criticising the overuse of an all-in manoeuvre has always been self-defeating. This book, however, attempts to explain the motivation behind such seemingly reckless play.

What is highly beneficial is the ability to commence your reading from the chapter that runs parallel with your own individual skill level. With most books, the advanced player has to search for sprinklings of information, whilst being forced to plough through regurgitated teachings. Here however, if you don't wish to struggle through the early Kill Phil chapters, you can move straight into Kill Phil Expert.

What initially worried me about the book was that it could be advertising a negative way of playing and may ultimately hinder people's ambitions to ever reach the levels of the Phils. To simply accept inferiority is perhaps worthwhile at first, but, in the long-run, could eventually prevent you from developing into a top class player.

Another gripe I had was the authors' constant repetition of 'Avoid complicated situations' and 'Phils hate preflop all-ins'. Two perfectly acceptable statements, but echoed on too numerous an occasion. Reading the same comment over and over again can become immensely tedious and may turn you off from what is otherwise a fluent and vibrant read.

To conclude, Kill Phil offers an original and refreshing angle on poker literature. Few books advocate such simplistic tactics, but in favouring all-ins and overbets, Kill Phil establishes feasible techniques in toppling those players whose skills are superior. The problem is that whilst the amateur is able to lessen the effect of the chasm in skill levels, he in turn will pick up bad habits and be too eager to accept his inferiority. Therefore, the book needs to be used as a point of reference, rather than a way of honing your skills. It can teach you how to best take on the pros, but it will never allow you to play at their level.

I give it 6 blonde stars out of 10.

Making The Final Table - Erick Lindgren

Fri, 30 Dec 2005 00:50:50 +0000

'I play to win, not to survive' is Erick Lindgren's message. Over and over again, he pushes the view that chip accumulation is the key to tournament success, not the protection of your stack. If this means risking your whole comp on marginal situations, then so be it. This 'young gun' approach is shared by a new breed of players who, in recent years, have been taking the poker world by storm. Young, confident, and aggressive, the emergence of this style has turned poker on its head, and left the veterans questioning their increasingly vulnerable strategy.

Making The Final Table - Erick Lindgren

Wed, 28 Dec 2005 02:17:02 +0000

Jessica was a very sweet girl. She was the older sister of my younger brother's best mate. We met on a night out at the pub and got chatting about Marx Brothers films. I'd never met a girl who was into Groucho's brethren before. In an all too short time, we had discussion of Duck Soup, Horse Feathers and Animal Crackers. Fortunately, my female interaction skills had already advanced to a stage where, by the end of the evening, I had secured a phone number. A proper date followed a few days later.

Play Poker Like The Pros - Phil Hellmuth

Sat, 03 Dec 2005 12:15:21 +0000

Phil Hellmuth is the self proclaimed 'Poker Brat'. Loud, whiney, and juvenile, he has swiftly built up a reputation as an immature crybaby, in which the bar of petulance has been raised to an insurmountable new level. Having said this, however, he still remains one of poker's greatest and most successful players. As the all-time leading money winner in 2001 and holding nine World Series bracelets, he is undoubtedly one of poker's most dangerous forces. The question is, however, can he write a good book? On this evidence, the answer has to be 'no'.

The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King - Michael Craig

Sat, 26 Nov 2005 12:12:22 +0000

A businessman, wanting to kill an evening during his business trip, pops downstairs to the poker room and finds a seat in a $15/30 game. He's only ever played casino poker once before but he has some luck, and an unusually aggressive style for a beginner, and wins a few hundred dollars. Buoyed by this, he heads for an $80/160 game in the high limit area of the room.

Hold'Em Poker - David Sklansky

Tue, 15 Nov 2005 12:23:13 +0000

So you've seen some poker on TV and boy does it look interesting! There are people bluffing with hands that are certain to lose if they get called, but wait, the other guy mucks two pair which must have been good enough to win, why on earth did he fold you think? The commentators go crazy and you absolutely know you have to start playing this game as soon as possible. Sure you played a bit of Draw Poker years ago, but Hold 'Em, I mean where do you start? You could Google the phrase, but someone will only try to sell you something you don't want or need. Far better to follow the advice of this reviewer and start where nearly all great players have started - David Sklansky's HOLD 'EM POKER.

Getting Started In Hold'Em - Ed Miller

Thu, 10 Nov 2005 12:09:20 +0000

Ed Miller is unlikely to be a familiar name to most readers of this review. He is not a big name pro and he does not have any significant tournament results to his name. Instead, his career as a poker author arose from his contributions to the 2+2 forums, where he had developed a reputation as one of the site's most respected members. Getting Started In Hold 'Em ("GSIH") is his second book and, as the title suggests, is squarely aimed at the beginners' market.

Mastering No-Limit Hold'Em - Russel Fox & Scott Harker

Wed, 09 Nov 2005 12:20:02 +0000

As students of the game, we tend to be enticed by books written by known names who have found unadulterated success. However, as Hellmuth's offerings have proved, this trail doesn't always lead us in the right direction. So, as I picked up 'Mastering No-Limit Hold'Em' by Russell Fox and Scott T. Harker I maintained an open mind and reminded myself that you don't have to be a 'poker celebrity' to write a good book on the game we love.