For someone who has never played casino poker before, this CD is an excellent prepatory guide. Playing in a casino card room can be very intimidating for the first time, and by listening to this CD, a begining player can learn what to expect in less than an hour. As an experienced player, there wasn't very much in terms of new information and strategy for me, but I loaned the CD to a friend of mine who wanted to give casino poker a try, and he was able to walk in knowing what to expect and feeling far more comfortable than he would have otherwise.

While the strategy on the CD isn't as intensive and detailed as a good book on the subject, there's enough to help you get by for your first outing. What is extremely helpful for the novice is all the tips and pointers on the simple logistics of playing in a casino -- from buying chips to making your bets to handling your cards. I sincerely wish I had this CD before stepping into a casino for the first time. I would have definately been a lot more at ease.

A great compilation of Frome's works. I found myself engrossed in it as if reading a new Grisham novel. This book contains everything from the basics on Video Poker to humorous anecdotes to quizzes to test what you have learned.

It was a good tutor type book, I read it some time ago, decided to review it to see what I forgot. I was hoping to get another book by him or a similar book. I am not a big winner, but the book helped me to at least hold my own while playing.
If you are going to play, get this book!

I agree with the other reviewers that this book is for poker players only! The author uses lots of poker terms and jargon that is familiar mostly to poker players. And it's hard for a non-"rounder" to understand what's truly going on in the authors mind.adrenaline, excitement, bluffs, and that one critical decision that separates winners from losers! Personally, as a poker player, I enjoyed the book all the way to the end, got my adrenaline pumped up several times from just reading some of the action and decision making in the story.

Like I said, this book can be really entertaining if you are a rounder, however, the storyline lacks a progressive organized story plot, not terribly bad for a person who doesn't write for a living but the story and character development could've used some refining. It's more of a personal daily diary than a true novel...just keep that in mind while reading the book and you'll enjoy it.

Considering that Jesse May is not really a novelist, Shut Up and Deal is quite good. Even though the book suffers severely from a lack of plot, but there are so many intriguing vignettes and characters that you tend to forget this.

The story revolves around a self-referential professional poker player and the moves he makes as poker relocates itself across the nation and gains acceptance. However, the characters are the true charm of this novel. They each have their own kind of persona and can even move around in the story, appearing in certain locations and stealing the entire show, so to speak.

Another great aspect of the book is how May shows the absense of time while playing poker. Having accidentally sat at a nine hour straight poker game, I can truly relate to the elapsation of time in this story. Days, weeks, and months pass as the same people buck the table and play again and again without break, except to get up and literally run to the bathroom so they won't lose their seat. Sometimes it's told in an extremely funny way and others the prose seems to create a sense of urgency that anyone who has played poker in a casino before can relate to.

The entire novel is set at a breakneck speed with only a few breaks in the tension to resolve some character issues. Overall, this is very good novel that will please just about everyone. The subject matter might not appeal to everyone, but if you're looking for a very charming story with extremely well-written characters, then Shut Up and Deal could possibly be that book.

Shut up and deal is a unique book that provides players of all skill levels a constant reminder that the philosophy of luck is as important to learn and understand as all of the "how to and statistical calculation" books ever written about poker. It does so in one book that also stands out as entertaining poker fiction. The underlying truths provide what it takes to win at playing poker at the highest levels and the pitfalls that are there everyday to test any player that has chosen to make poker their profession, or who have chosen to play semi-pro. I understand that to a literary critic, this book rambles, but to players who have been there it is a must read.

This book has a wealth of information on low stakes poker variations, but little on how to win. The rules are a little subjective for "according to Hoyle", especially if you've been playing a while. If you need something to spice up your low stakes game or are constantly being confused about the variations your partners are springing on you, this book is fine. But I would steer clear, and buy "Thurs. Night Poker" by Steiner instead. It will help your game infinitely more. "The Rules of Neighborhood Poker" is basic enough that I would give it as a gift to a poker buddy, knowing that it would add nothing to his game except his readiness to play.

This is a great book for recreational players who are more interested in comraderie and smoking cigars than winning money. It provides good advice for hosting and setting up games and it provides a lot of good games and variations to help spice up the weekly game. I've always had problems coming up with new games and learned a lot from this book. This is also a good book for new player who wants to get into a regular group and is intimidated by regular players who seem to know everything about the game . There's a lot to learn.

If you regularly play with the likes of Teddy KGB or that dude in the blue eyeglasses in Vegas, then this book isn't for you. But if you're just starting out and want to learn, this is a good source of valuable information.

I am not exactly new to home poker, but even I got a LOT from this book. First and foremost, are the many different versions of draw, stud, and community card games in the book. We play many, many different games, but there were at least a dozen new games I got out of this book. The great thing is, for a lot of games he describes, he also "plays" sample hands and describes strategy for each of the "players." He also shares some stories of playing these games. Standing out in my memory is an entertaining story of a game of "night baseball" he once played with two monster hands going for a huge pot. Other great features of the book are a poker dictionary, poker etiquette, and other things you need to know to play or host a game. And the whole book is fun--you can tell the writer has a lot of love for the game. You will have fun reading the book, you will probably have more fun playing, and you will probably play better too!

How often do we get to read a writer who's not afraid of his own shadow? How often do we get to look inside our own minds when we read another's work? Well Rob Singer has made these things happen. The Undeniable Truth wastes no time in telling all video poker players why they continually lose. I lose, you lose, everybody loses! Otherwise, as Singer says, the game would not be so very popular among local players in cities across America as it is today. So how does this author beat the odds and win? I had to read his web site to find that out, but then again, he clearly tells us in his book that he did not write it as a magical cure for anything but countering the spoon-fed download we've had to endure non-stop from the long-term gurus for years. Thank God for that!
One point he makes very well in his book is about short-term play. He says we all play only short-term sessions that do not add up into any sort of long-term whatsoever. My college math professor couldn't have said it better--and this is gambling! Godspeed to this bold and fearless writer!

Having read all books on video poker that I can get my hands on, I really have to say that I was extremely surprised such a book existed. What's this? An author who doesn't simply copy others words down into a different format and publish a book? An author with a mind of his own?

This work has changed my whole attitude towards the game. I haven't a problem any longer telling anyone that I'm an expert play-follower but a loser. No longer do I believe the "Gurus" as Singer calls them, because how is it they win and I don't? My education in the field of mathematics is extensive too, but i lose even with the most dedicated of efforts. I believe Mr. Singer when he says the famous people only tell us they win all the time and that they know "hundreds" of others who win all the time, because they have a stake in their sales of products to players that is directly tied to their reputations. I know thousands of players, and no one wins. This book is so very right on that it hurts. I want more!

When I purchased this book a year ago after reading much of that which Mr. Singer has had to say, I was confused. Not only does this book identify his play as not being according to the mathematics of what the game has been based on, he argues of how the game's well-known experts are pushing a flawed method when they sell their products that are indeed based solely on the math! I was skeptical at best, and I put the book aside.

Recently however I re-read The Undeniable Truth About Video Poker. I have also belonged to several of the chat boards on the game. I now find that Mr. Singer has in his book seemingly successfully attacked the game's biggest names and is winning the battle. I honestly figured he would disappear off the scene after his book hit the streets, but he has become stronger with each passing year. This great book was the predecessor to his rise in power among the top players, if there really are any others besides he himself. While I haven't the funds to play the game according to how the author describes in his book, I and many have certainly learned how NOT to play. I've saved a lot of money thanks to Rob Singer and this wonderful book.

I can't believe all of the glowing praises that make up the blurbs in the front of this book-- two pages worth! I'm guessing most of them are out of context. I also can't believe the positive reviews here on Amazon. Did I read a different book or something?

The Poker Club is awful in every way a book can possibly be-- I don't know where to begin. The tremendously bad dialogue? The offensive sterotypical characters who refuse to display any kind of development? The annoyingly predictable plot? The startlingly bland writing style? Joe Lansdale has more engaging prose in one paragaph than I could find in this whole novel.

Gorman also has this irritating habit. Habit? No, it's a part of his "style", I guess. He writes one-sentence paragraphs that are meant to give a dramatic pause to the flow of the, and I use the term loosely here, narrative.

But he does it at least three times on every page.

And it quickly becomes irritating.

You'll want to throw the book against the wall.

I'm at a loss to say anything positive about this near 400-page paperweight. Well, I can't use it for that-- then I'd have to look at it. The thing's not even good enough for a doorstop-- it's too light. I think I'll use it to weigh down the trash.

I have to admit, I stuck with this book to the end. Not because I was enjoying it, mind you. I was fascinated with its complete badness. It's a lesson in how to *not* write a book.

Please, steer clear of this pathetic excuse for a book.

I beg of you.

To call "The Poker Club" a horror title is a grand misnomer. I totally agree with another reviewer that this really should have been listed as a crime title.

To it's credit "The Poker Club" is a very fast and easy read. What a pity that there was no real payoff by the novel's conclusion.

What suprised me most was Mr. Gorman's use of every ethnic and racial sterotype imaginable. Our hero, Aaron Tyler tells us himself through his clumsy first person narrative that he is the token WASP, Curtis is the token black, Neil is the token Jew and Bill is the token Catholic. Or that's what he'll have you believe that's what they call themselves to one another. Do you know of anyone who would actually talk like that?

The sterotypes don't stop there. We read them when describing the residents of "rough" neighborhoods in Aaron's small Midwestern town and in describing the carnies working at the fair. If as much thought went into the plot as the racial profiling, there might have been a nub of a tale worth telling.

Detective Patterson apparently knows what went down with the men, yet does no real police work to get them to talk. "When you're ready to tell the truth..." "Stop lying to me..." make up a major portion of her speaking lines. Any police officer out there reading this novel would be insulted by her poor procedural tactics.

Aaron and his friends are supposed neighborhood saints turned sinners. There is nothing redeeming or memorable about any of these men. I half-expected these dreaded six words after the final sentence . . . "And we lived happily ever after." That's the sort of feel the novel has by the end.

There are plenty of other good novels out there that will, no doubt, entertain you more. Leave this one on the shelf.

It doesn't matter whether or not you've ever read the short story that formed the basis for this novel -- Ed Gorman's "Out There in the Darkness." No matter what, this novel is totally chilling. Is it horror or crime? Doesn't matter -- it's both. In fact, people who enjoyed Sam Raimi's flick "A Simple Plan" or the book it's based on will enjoy "The Poker Club." Put simply, it's a fast-moving disturbing tale that shows how easily supposedly every-day "normal" people can see their lives shredded by making a couple of bad judgments in a short timespan. Gorman's one of the finest writers out there, and "The Poker Club" proves it. By the way, the original short story is considerably different from the novel, so if you've read the story, pick up the novel as well.

This is my first book on poker I have ever read. However, my copy is physically flawed. My copy goes up to page 176 and then repeats itself back to pp. 129-176! So, one-fifth of my book is duplicated. (This is the sixth printing dated May 2003) I bought this from the "used" section and by all appearances, it looked "like new". Oh well. Mistakes happen.

Of all the books written about Texas Hold'em this is the one to own. The language is strait foward, easy to follow, and with enough repetition that the ideas are forever burned onto you brain. This is an excellent read for beginners and intermediate players that should give you that edge that you need at the table. I have seen my game improve tremendously after reading this book.

Warren also packs the book full of charts and tables that are of use to all. There are charts with odds and percentages for any hand that you hold. Warren also breaks down how you should play based on your position at the table and what is in you hand and what has been bet so far. This is enough to help for a begginer sitting at a casino table.

Texas Hold'em is by far the best poker game and with this book you develope strategy and game play that is all your own.

One of the above reviewers gave the book a single star, stating that KW gives advice that encourages people to play low cards. In the edition I have (I believe it to be the 5th edition, 2002), KW states on pg. 51 "A Hold 'Em player who consistently plays low cards cannot be a big winner in this game". I respectfully disagree with that reviewer, who seems to have taken something out of context.

As I mentioned above, this book has something for just about everyone. KW starts with simple concepts general to poker and then specific to hold'em, ruminates on the all important nature of position, includes plenty of strategy advice, and covers advanced ideas such as pot odds, the art of the check raise, and bluffing/semi-bluffing. He also gives tips on how to play specific hands, although I'm sure he is by no means unique among poker authors with this one.

He backs up his advice with a number of different charts showing percentages, ratios, etc. He also includes a good section on playing short-handed.

To summarize, although you'd probably get mostly the same stuff if you picked other poker books at random, KW provides a comprehensive and very readable guide to hold 'em. It's not perfect, but in a literary genre in which authors try to outdo one another to give the best advice and the secret tips no one else does, this book stands out.

Having said all this, in an otherwise excellent book, the "stereotype" section (e.g., you want to play against beautiful women and people with tattoos, as these folks are never good at poker) is silly and superficial. Additionally, his advice that off-duty poker DEALERS are preferable to play against is just plain dangerous. Unless you are an expert, if you know your opponents to be dealers you should avoid that particular game altogether.

There is nothing new here in this book. Mostly play tight and raise often. Spends more time telling us about how great he is and less time giving any real insite into how to "PLAY LIKE THE PROS". He jumps back and forth too much and even forgets what situation he is refering to on occasions. In one part of his examples, Phil has you playing poker on the internet with a pair of jacks in the hole. His opponent, Jerry,checks. But, if Jerry does bet, then you must,"look for body language that might show confidence or fear". How can I check for body language when I`m playing over the net? Phil spends too much time having you develop your instincts rather than giving sound poker advice. You`re better off reading any of Lou Krieger`s books, "Hold`em Excellence or More Hold`em Excellence" or any of Ken Warrens Texas Holdem book instead of this book which tells you very little other than how you can never be as good as Phil is. Come on Phil. You haven`t discovered the cure for cancer here. You`re just a poker player.

Look, Phil is an annoying guy and some of that comes across in this book. But Phil is a great tournament poker player and that also comes across. And the reason I bought this book was to get an insight into how Phil plays and why he plays that way and to maybe find things I could use myself. In the two months since I've finished the book I've tinkered with using different strategies Phil suggests with good success. And on top of anything else I have now finished 1st in a 20 player tournament and 7th in a 30 player tournament at Luxors and 5th in a 300 player tournament at an online site. I honestly feel that my tournament play has gotten a lot stronger and I'm still improving. Thanks in large part to things I either read in this book or things that this book made me think about.

Hellmuth, a seven time world champion, and all around smart guy, provides a book that assumes the reader knows nothing about poker. The basics are explained with clarity. Then Phil discusses the math, game theory, and strategy in various poker games with an emphasis on Hold 'Em, the most complex (most interesting) and most popular form of tournament and casino poker. If you're already an Eagle (Phil classifies players according to type, such as the Mouse, the Elephant, the Jackal, etc. Eagles are birds capable of feathering their nests with millions of dollars from poker) this would be an interesting book for the insight it provides into the mind of another certified Eagle. If you're a beginner or intermediate with Eaglelike aspirations, this is the best primer around. It's not the only book you'll need to read, but it will teach you the language and strategies of poker. Then the manuals written for advanced players will make sense and you'll gain much more from them than if you just jumped in to one of them. One caveat: before you jump into a game for real money, finish the book. Don't get fired up after a chapter or two and hit the poker room at the Bellagio expecting to clean up. In poker, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. FINISH THE BOOK before you open your wallet.

Andy Nelson's books are always well-written, clear and informative. This book is no different. What makes this book special, though, is how it stimulates the reader to think about poker (even when not playing). The result is an immediate improvement in one's game. Furthermore, after you've read this book (and maybe re-read a couple of sections) your game will improve over the next several months because you'll be able to learn from your mistakes. Buy this book if you are a fairly good player who wants to be very good.

I have made my living by playing Texas Hold 'em for over ten years. I have read every book I can find on any game of poker. This is the fourth book I have read that Mr. Nelson has written. I am impressed. The first book I read was POKER: 101 Ways To Win. That book convinced me that Mr. Nelson has a unique understanding of what poker is REALLY all about.

The Advanced book on Hold 'Em builds on the foundatation started in Book One and Intermediate. Now Mr. Nelson gets real specific about what it takes to become a winner at this very complicated game. He stresses emotional control, how to play the players and what the tools of the sophisticated player should be. These are extraordinary insights.

I have seen players with many years of playing poker that do not have a clue on how Texas Hold 'em should be played.

This book is excellent, well-written and brief. Its sections on emotional control and playing players are the best I've read. The chapter on playing players actually gives you a step by step process through which you can categorize players quite easily. Other books give a few tips on this cocnept; Nelson's book gives you an entire laundry list of things to look for. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is serious about improving his or her hold'em game.