Book Reviews

Biggest Game in Town

Probably the most famous book about big-time poker, A. Alvarez's Biggest Game takes you back into the first years of tournament poker. Set around the World Series Of Poker in the early '80s, Alvarez wrote at length about the people and places that make up the poker world back then.

Probably the best part about the book is that it's not quite as 'linear' as most other books. Alvarez doesn't go from chapter-to-chapter describing the rounds of the tournament, nor does he even go through in an real discernable order. This is a collection of stories and events throughout the early part of the poker days that have become legend today.

When I read this book, I wanted to actually see these poker events take place. I have since seen videos of the old World Series tapes you could by in the Horseshoe gift shop, but none of them do the job that this book does in depicting the glory days of Doyle Brunson and the gang. If you really want to 'see' what it was like back then, this book is as close as you will get.

Alvarez writes on a level that is perceivable by the novice poker player, and also writes from a fairly independent viewpoint. That is, Alvarez was a poker player himself, but unlike players like Phil Hellmuth and the likes, he has no vested interest in the business of poker, therefore, he writes very openly and honestly and the people and places around him.

His observations of the opening events of the 1981 World Series Of Poker, leading up to the conclusion of Stu Ungar's championship, are definitely the best passages ever written about poker. The entire time, I felt like I was immersed in the smoke-filled poker rooms of the early '80s, and that I was actually watching Ungar take down his second title in a row.

I've read a lot of books that have tried to emulate this book, but no one has come close. If you're looking for a true classic about the game of poker, then Alvarez wrote this one just for you. Any true poker fan should try and pick up a copy of this and read it at one point.

Review by Jon Eaton

Super System 2

Super System 2 was the most anticipated book in the history of poker. Heck, it says so right on the cover. So when Doyle Brunson's super sequel finally reached my local bookseller, I bought one as quickly as I could, scarcely stopping at the adjacent coffee shop to claim a free sample of fudge.

Super System 2 was delayed for both production and distribution, a rare achievement for a book in the now-oversaturated gambling paperback market. Still, I was happy to fork over my $34.95 (plus tax, minus free dessert sample) to find out what, exactly, reading an update of the Bible would actually be like.

At 667 pages, SS2 exceeds in length even its behemoth of a predecessor, which sported 602 pages of text and oddly drawn, yet surprisingly endearing cartoons. The caricatures are back for the sequel, along with updated chapters on high-low seven-stud, limit holdem, and no-limit holdem, still the Cadillac of poker according to Doyle.

Super System 2 also adds chapters on pot-limit Omaha, Omaha eight-or-better, triple draw, and online poker. Gone are the chapters on seven-stud high-low (no qualifier), five-card draw, and even plain old vanilla seven-card stud from Super/System. Also thankfully missing from the original edition are its often-incoherent grammatical aberrations; the editors at Cardoza Publishing seem to have the arbitrary capitalization of the first edition drawing dead.

Doyle's latest 'course in power poker' like the original sports a scintillating lineup of poker celebrities as chapter authors. Joining Brunson for the sequel are Mike Caro, Bobby Baldwin, Todd Brunson, Daniel Negreanu, Jennifer Harman, and Lyle Berman.

While Brunson's chapter on no-limit holdem is superb, not much is new from the original Super System. Doyle does, however, pen a decent chapter on online poker, albeit with a few-too-many plugs for his also-ran DoylesRoom.com room.

Lyle Berman's pot-limit Omaha primer is a good introduction to the game, with intermediate and beginning concepts clearly explained.

The same is true for Baldwin's Omaha-eight chapter, though the Bellagio CEO delves a little deeper into the depths of his game.

The real value of SS/2, however, is found in the chapters by its two youngest section authors, Daniel Negreanu and Jennifer Harman. These two sensations, long daily fixtures in the highest cash games in the world, stop at nothing to reveal the secrets of their assigned games.

Negreanu's chapter on Triple Draw is a joy to read and should enable even a novice to jump into a game. Scenarios are succinctly and accurately categorized, and the chapter retains an excellent sense of structure unseen in the other sections. The only problem with the section is not Daniel's fault; the chapter would only be better of Triple Draw were more widely played at the sub-stratospheric limits.

That leaves Harman's tutorial on limit holdem as the book's true gem. Harman, widely considered the poker world's best female player, patiently holds the reader's hand as she teaches a winning course in poker's most common game. Beginners can jump right into her section, while advanced players also stand to benefit from the tips within. Harmon accomplishes this impressive feat while avoiding bone-dry style of other limit holdem texts in the image and likeness of the standard Sklasnky and Malmuth fare.

Though a more significantly updated no-limit section would have sealed the deal, Negreanu and Harman's sections are alone worth the price of purchase of Super System 2. Though it may never enjoy the sacred-text status of its predecessor, Super System 2 should find its way on most players' bookshelves.

Review by Pete Cilento

High Low Split

High-Low Split Poker For Advanced Players by Ray Zee is the classic book on hi-lo split. An important read for beginners and anyone preparing to play either online or live. The two games are very similar in approach and the insights and strategies into one game can often be applied to the other. Understanding the winning principles will also give your overall poker game a boost, especially in holdem, lowball, Omaha high, and seven card stud.

Both of the sections are especially well structured and organized. The keys to these games are in two areas that Zee addresses quite well. The first concept being the relative hand strengths. This reading provides the basics for playing split games in ring games and shorthanded tables.

Understanding starting hand strength relative to that of your opponents is extremely important, especially when trying to raise for value in a multi-way pot and when trying to isolate another player. Ray Zee offers solid strategy approaches to playing low style drawing hands and big pairs, key hands in these games.

He also clearly defines the hands in which you should avoid, since their win rate is negative. He also discusses hands that will separate you from your competition.

The other key to success Zee stresses in both this game and Omaha high-low split is the importance of playing tight. The tighter you play in choosing both the hands you play and in deciding the course of action to take after the flop in Omaha high-low (and on fourth street in 7 card stud hi-lo) are essential to understanding the poor expectation of chasing in these games.

For the most part this book can clearly get you headed in the right direction in these very profitable forms of poker. However, to master these games you may have to supplement your reading after this book on these games to get a more complete understanding of aggressive plays and tournament strategy.

Review by Bo Jungblut

The Theory of Poker

If it seems like I keep reviewing books that are all excellent, it's because there are literally dozens of top-notch literature available today on poker. Theory is by far the one that should be at the top of the list. This classic by David Sklansky is definitely the one book that every poker player should have on their shelf.

In fact, I feel The Theory Of Poker one is so important, that it should be declared the true Bible of poker. Super System might have this label now, but I truly feel that this is the most important book a player can read on the subject.

Theory covers aspects of poker that are universal; that is, they can be used in any form of poker. It spells out in fairly plain English what every specific play and tool that there is available to you. While the actual writing itself is a little off (Sklansky and Malmuth admit in their 2+2 Publishing books that they aren't professional writers), it's not bad enough that anyone will have a hard time reading.

The topics covered in the book range from the fight for the ante, slow-playing, the free card, and the psychology behind poker. It's very well organized and each section includes a simple summary to review what you just read.

The important thing to realize about Theory isn't that it's a good book about poker, it's that your opponents have read it, too. Therefore, I feel anyone serious about poker is required to read this to get ahead of the curve. The more you know about what your opponent knows, the better off you are.

In short, if you have just one book to buy to learn about poker in general, this is definitely it. Be forewarned-this book reads like a textbook. It's not exactly fun to read, but then again, poker isn't about having fun, it's about making money.

Review by Jon Eaton