"Joker Poker", by Richard Helms is an entertaining and interesting romp through the dumber side of hard-boiled private eye fiction.

It's obvious that Helms has done his homework and that he loves the genre; there are elements of the tough-guy spareness of Hammett, the purple poetry of Chandler and even the cool violence of James Lee Burke tucked throughout this freshman outing. But his adherence to the genre's rules may have been the book's eventual downfall - there's no room for hardboiled writers who simply rehash the classics anymore.

Does anyone buy the femme fatale a la' Brigid O'Shaughnessy anymore? Or mush-mouthed Italian gangsters? Wise-cracking tough guys? There may be some people who still want this out there, but to the rest of us, this kind of thing is way past its freshness date. If you can't do anything new with the genre, as Burke tried, or Vachss or Parker, then why try?

"Joker Poker" is the story of Pat Gallegher, a legbreaker for the mob who plays jazz horn, reads the classics, and is generally as nice a burnout as you can find. In addition to his collection duties, Gallegher does favors for friends, like finding lost people, despite the fact that he has no experience, no money, no PI license, no credibility and no purpose. Just about the only thing he has going for him is his massive, bear-like size. Author Helms would have us believe that people in trouble shop for help the way others shop for toilet paper - go for the large, economy size and all will be well.

So why does this sweet, sensitive soul smack people around for a living? Well, because he's into a local loan shark for twenty large and the guy is letting him work off the debt by doing collections. But when Clancey Vincouer shows up and asks him to locate her missing lover, Gallagher demands paymnent in rare jazz recordings rather than in cash that would help resolve his predicament. Gallagher also owns a stereo system that he could sell for a buck or two. It's hard to have sympathy for a main character who is a complete ninny, or who is lying to you. Which is it? Is he forced to do a distasteful job by his lack of funds, or does he just use that as an excuse because he likes to hit people?

Gallagher also gets involved with Vincouer's girlfriend, Meg, a woman who telegraphs the fact that she is bad news like some people breathe in and out. Helms paints her with such broad brushstrokes, it's almost hard not to picture her as Tom Sawyer's whitewashed fence.

Other clumsy characters include a pair of silent Cajun bodyguards, a Viet Nam vet Soldier of Fortune who is "about a hundred and twenty percent around the bend, with both diesels chuggung", a long-suffering attorney friend who apparently does nothing but pro bono work and a sad-faced cop who gives suspects an even break so they can clear their name. Jeez Louise, did Helms just call down to central casting, or what?

The New Orleans location here is incidental and doesn't really add to or detract from the story.

Helms has the potential to be a fine storyteller, but needs a firm editor and some chops before he will be a fine novelist. "Joker Poker" is humorous and entertaining, but not much more than that.

Joker Poker
By Richard Helms

The first thing I liked was the literary sleight of hand Mr. Helms pulled off in the first chapter. The second thing I liked was the rest of the book. Mr. Helms may have been a student of Chandler, Spillane, MacDonald and others, but this is a case where the student takes rightful place next to the masters. This is polished, professional prose with all the elements right on target.

The main character, Pat Gallegher, has no illusions about his middle-aged body, his abilities to enforce the 'favors' he does for people as a quasi-P.I., or his very understated personal weaknesses. He's a man with feet firmly planted in reality without the whining, and yet is vulnerable enough to not only feel the softer side of emotions, but allows them to dwell in him unconflicted with the tough guy he has to be when necessary. It's a remarkable balance that Mr. Helms pulls off so smoothly, one reaches the end of the book before realizing you've got Pat Gallegher under your skin and you like it.

This cornet-playing unlikely hero, as a favor, agrees to find a lover/con man who's disappeared. The wealthy, obversely puritan woman who wants the guy back is afraid her husband has discovered her leisure activity and has had her lover killed. So let the games begin.

Professional thugs, a crime boss, a red-headed Siren, the local constabulary, the owner of the bar where Gallegher performs nightly, and others, all want a piece of him in one way or another. Whether one of those pieces of him is of a size to fill a coffin, either through legal means or otherwise, we know won't happen, but watching him dodge that is fun. His own protection backup is long-term memorable, and I hope Mr. Helms continues to let him out to play in the other Pat Gallegher books.

One of the bellwethers of the quality of Mr. Helms' writing is how he has Pat Gallegher sum up previous cases (that haven't been published yet) in a few sentences which tell the complete stories. It's easy to make the leap to mentally riffle through unprinted pages as fast as a deck of cards and end up feeling as if you'd read the books about them.

Richard Helms has an easy style of writing and a protagonist with all the qualities required for strong stories and further interesting character development. There's layers to Pat Gallegher we probably won't ever have explored, but we don't need it; he's a complete package as-is. Nice job, Mr. Helms. Keep doing it.

Admirable, smooth, funny, intelligent writing. Helms is a terific story-teller, reminiscent of his idols Chandler, Hammett, Spillane; hard-boiled, but with his own,unique brand of sharp, clever humor, a terrific way with words and a deeper understanding of the human condition. His tough, but sensitive, multi-faceted protagonist is someone I would want for a buddy. Joker Poker is well worth a read.

I read the other reviews before I wrote this, and I couldn't help but notice that NOT ONE of the "reviewers" said anything about the recipes. Why? Because they are terrible! Let me explain: I am a cookbook reader, collector, cook and baker. I read/review and try cookbooks ALL THE TIME. This cookbook is terrible! The recipes just do not work - and I've tried a lot of them.
As far as ideas go, if you want to get really chummy with your neighbors, then buy this book - that's where it gets 2 stars from me.

My family recently moved into our first home in the suburbs. We're on a very busy street without sidewalks so none of the kids on the block knew each other. This book has really helped us learn how to connect to our new neighbors. We started throwing neighborhood parties for all occassions, and the kids on the block finally know each other.
This book has so many fun and inventive ideas, adorable drawings, and easy recipes that work well for crowds. Three new families have moved in this year and the book has given us wonderful ideas to welcome them! (We now bring welcome baskets that include a list of important places in the area.) I wish someone in the neighoborhood had read this book before we had moved in!

Not only am I a new neighbor, but I am a terrible cook, and Peggy Allen's book is full of fun and super-simple recipes that I cannot wait to try out on the folks next door! It's also well laid-out and enjoyable to glance through. Flip through it, you'll see what I mean.

A nice book that covers games that Sklansky thinks the smart player can win, poker, blackjack among others. Most valuable for the teachings of odds versus probability and other math equations that help the player know whether he has the best of it.

A visionary text exploring the mechanics and profitability of gambling. Essential for any serious gambler. Sklansky's prototype work on card-counting at baccarat was an invaluable research tool in the development of my own work on practical methods for money-making at the game. The one caveat I have is that the key-card concept may well be dangerous to players not already well versed in the theory of blackjack. John May, Author of "Baccarat for the clueless"

Mr.Sklansky has written a phenomenal book. I am an 11 year veteran of the futures and commodities market. I have been a broker, investor, and I have written three books on the subject. Mr.Sklansky sheds that necessary light into the probability of gaming success. These thoughts are easily applied to my industry. Whether you are investing in commodity futures or options on commoditity futures, you have to be able to assses how successful the trade can possibly be and understand money management. This book covers it all.

Mr. Sklansky is a very astute gambling mathematician and he paints a broad swathe across the entire gaming industry and shows you what games can be worked and what games will work you. I would like to see him apply some of his knowledge to the investment arena and see what assessments he can come up with. I recommend all of my brokers read this book. For any gambler this book is a necessity for your success. Good luck and put this on your shelf.

This great paperback gives you a thorough study of the 'ins and outs' of Video Poker. If you play Video Poker this book is a must.

Having played the game and read several books on the subject, this is the best. The author shows the best play for all situations in a way that is easy to remember. bd

His characters are hilarious and not uncommon in my experience in the bond business in the 70's and 80's. There is a lot of color in the bond side which is lacking on the equity sude and the author did a good job of bring this out. Good job.

The novel is one of the best that I have read in quite sometime. McConnell's Gsrnish speaks with a clarity that I have actually seen in some alcoholics. I'm not trying to be funny, but this novel does use a lot of adjectives but somehow it works. Ray Carver once wrote that once he saw Gimmicks he would run for cover, but it just somw how works; similarly to a Charles Bukowski story. Keep on writing Brother because this novel rules!

This is a classic of poker literature, it's true, but I think it's overrated and ranks way down the list of essentials. There are at least 20 other poker books I would recommend before it. The problem is that applying the book's concepts is really a very nebulous business.

Caro's Book of Tells is essential to cracking a tough game.

Mike Caro gives the reader an excellent insight into the psychology of poker and explains the meaning of opponents' actions and verbals. He unlocks the secrets to reading opponents perfectly and helps the reader understand how to remain "tell-less" when he/she is the one in the hot-seat.

If you sit in an easy game, this book will transform you from being a consciencious winner to being a consistantly massive winner. This is no exaggeration!
Also, if you sit in a tough game, Caro will give you a huge edge over those who haven't read the Book of Tells, and hence your profits will soar.

One reviewer has claimed that the book is too expensive for its merits...rubbish: Anyone who reads the Book of Tells will earn back the cost price in their first hour at the tables after reading it: I certainly did.

Caro's Book of Tells is essential reading for anyone attempting to achieve poker supremacy.
It is a literary Goldmine that no player should be without.

I use this book when I teach body language--kinesics. Any people watcher will love it and it is so true. Read it to keep from flashing your own tells.....johnnyhughes.com

The writer is obviously a serious poker player, but the book is not well-organized. The result isn't very reader-friendly. I'd be very eager to see a reworked second edition, though.

I have read "Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players", "The Theory of Poker", "Winner's Guide to Hold'em Poker", and "Ken Warren Teaches Texas Hold'em" in addition to this book. After reading all those, I was consistantly making profit, and placing in the top 4 or 5 in tournaments. After reading this one on a flim (because of another review here, actually), I won my first tournament.

He teaches you how to think in Hold'em poker. The other books touch on that subject, especially "Ken Warren Teaches...", but its just not done in a way I was able to "get". I learn from books, not from being taught in a classroom, and this book is icredible in my opinion. At one point the author recommends reading some of the other books, but says you should finish his first: He couldn't have said it any better.

I highly recommend this book for anybody who wants to learn how to play Texas Hold'em. To put in perspective, he only lightly touches no limit/pot limit games, or tournaments for that matter (although more than some of the other books), but yet the tournament I won was a no-limit. I think that speaks volumes!

I purchased this book when it was published and have read it several times. I have many other books in my poker library but this one has done the most to turn my game around. Carson gives another side of how to look at Holdem' poker. He doesn't give hard and fast rules to follow, instead he trys to get you to think. There is so much here to think about, I still go back to individual chapters and re-read them. When I run into trouble, or have the time to study poker, instead of play it that is. This book will pay for itself many times over.

I have read everything poker-related I can get my hands on, and this is *the* great poker novel.

I wasn't expecting much when I got this book. I am a big reader and a relatively new and still small wager..... poker player. I have been reading every poker book both instructional and literary I can find. The poker in this was great and very realistic to me though I have never played at the larger bet levels of the characters. The game is the same and losing still hurts. I was most surprised and pleased by the writing. It's not Shakespeare or Tolstoy, but it isn't too bad. It is a good read with real people for characters and true feelings. While there is action it is not nor does it try to be Hollywood. It will sit on my poker shelf next to the Cincinati kid, Shut up and Deal, The Biggest Game in Town, Big Deal, and The Education of a Poker Player.

An excellent grasp of the poker world and how it relates to life. Rick Bennet is a great poker player that I first met in early 1996. I played WITH him and then later dealt TO him. This is the first time in print, film, or television that I wasn't forced to watch some incredible Hollywood poker hand where one player has four Aces and the other player says "no good, read 'em and weep". As a poker dealer that has played for a living, I am thrilled to finally find someone that undertands my world well enough and can also translate it so that others can see it. This novel IS what all of us in the poker industry HOPED the movie Rounders would be but fell so short. King of a Small World is the most accurate account of poker life from the many different aspects; professionals that grind out a living, dealers that blow all there tips, and recreational players that are there to enjoy themselves because they rarely win and are where we all make our money. Poker is a game of skill with short term luck. There has to be some luck or people wouldn't "gamble". I never heard of chess being played for big money. Finally an accurate portrayal of the life of a person that plays for a living. It is done by reading people and playing the odds, not by someone in a tuxedo betting $100,000 per hand on a table game where the house has the edge. Through the eyes of a professional poker player, the reader learns how poker gives us the tools to perceive the rest of life. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, the characters are very realistic; I know people like this. At the same time, I learned about the charity and underground games in Maryland that I have always heard about from the many poker players that have moved from the D.C. area to California, the new poker capitol of the world. I highly recommend King of a Small World.

This book outlines the basic concepts behind WHY people play the way they do, which is essential to understanding how to play against different types of players. The playing characteristics of looseness and tightness are rated on one dimension, passiveness and aggressiveness are rated on another. These dimensions outline the four basic types of players: loose-passive, loose-aggressive, tight-passive, and tight-aggressive. Each player type is described in detail, their strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and strategies for playing against them are discussed as well. The reader is given opportunities to assess their own play according to the principles outlined in the text. This book is especially good for the beginning poker player to whom these ideas may be completely new. Advanced players who have not read this book will still undoubtedly learn much from it as well. One of the books listed on the *required reading* list for the San Diego Poker Discussion Group.

I should mention that I played a role in editing this book, and that I am good friends with Dr. Schoonmaker, and the readers of this review should know of my potential bias. However, I still stand by the book, if it wasn't good I would simply refrain from saying anything.

This book outlines the basic concepts behind WHY people play the way they do, which is essential to understanding how to play against different types of players. The playing characteristics of looseness and tightness are rated on one dimension, passiveness and aggressiveness are rated on another. These dimensions outline the four basic types of players, loose-passive, loose-aggressive, tight-passive, and tight-aggressive. Each player type is described in detail, their strengths and weaknesses are outlined, and strategies for playing against them are discussed as well. The reader is given opportunities to assess their own play according to the principles outlined in the text. This book is especially good for the beginning poker player to whom these ideas may be completely new. Advanced players who have not read this book will still undoubtedly learn much from it as well. One of the books listed on the *required reading* list for the San Diego Poker Discussion Group.

Most people think poker is a card game played by people. Those who advance to expert status eventually realize that poker is a people game that happens to be played with cards.

I have probably read every poker book that has ever been written, in part because I want to improve my own game, in part because I want to know what the competition is saying and/or thinking, and in part because I believe it to be the height of "penny-wise and pound-foolishness" not to spend a few bucks on a poker book when ONE good idea or notion in a poker book will probably earn the buyer many times the price of the book.

All that said, when I ranked poker books written in the year 2000, Alan Schoonmaker's "The Psychology of Poker" was an easy choice for me as "Poker Book of the Year" for 2000. Over time, the cards tend to even out. What does not even out over time is our ability to understand our opponents' emotions, and our own.

The only think I don't like about TPOP, as I call it, is that it will probably cut down on my profits when I play, because even though it has helped me--and I was already very good--it figured to help my opponents even more, because I had already focused the majority of my poker study energy into the psychological aspects of poker.

For a completely raw beginner, i.e., someone who has never played or who has rarely played and when playing has played for very low stakes, TPOP probably shouldn't be the FIRST book you buy. You need to understand more basic card and strategy elements. If you aspire to ever being more than a mediocre player who can hold his own against other mediocre players, and you're not some sort of poker savant or expert who has been winning heavily for 30 years, you should read TPOP at your earliest opportunity, and even if you are already quite good and have read it, you should probably re-read it anytime you find yourself in the midst of a losing streak.

The author is a former rocket scientist and the book contains many charts that the "average" person may find difficult to fathom. There are very few explanations for the terms used in the charts and minimal examples. The beginning player wants to know why video poker is so popular; the difference between normal slots and video poker; what are full-pay machines. If you are just starting out - don't start with this book.

A wonderful, comprehensive, easy to read book on video poker. It makes it easy and fun to play the game and to know you are making the right play. Lenny Frome deserves his title as master of video poker. I started out not really knowing how to play the game but now I love playing and feel confident that I am using the winning strategy! The EV tables make are easy to use. I also suggest reading VP Americas National Game of Chance by the same author.

I am a regular video poker player. I had heard many positive things about Mr. Frome's book, though I do not generally anjoy reading. The book was very enjoyable to read and immediately improved my play and that was very rewarding, if you know what I mean. I highly recomend the book for players at any level.