Poker for Dummies - IDG Books

...impression I was an ok poker player. Sure I've never played for money and I often left the games I played with far less plastic tokens than I started with but I saw the games I took part in more as a social event and the opportunity to hone my skill than a win at all costs exercise. So I was a touch surprised and ever so slightly insulted when one of the wags I usually play poker with bought me a 'Poker for Dummies' book as a Christmas present - ...
...and far from slighting my poker talent my joking friend had inadvertently supplied me with a guide full of helpful tips, witty anecdotes and priceless insights. With this book in hand it will be me who gets the last laugh when I take him to the cleaners and leave him token free at our next poker night.

Since late 1991 the 'for dummies' guides have revolutionised the world of the reference book, a brand that started by addressing the ... more

I was always under the seemingly misguided impression I was an ok poker player. Sure I've never played for money and I often left the games I played with far less plastic tokens than I started with but I saw the games I took part in more as a social event and the opportunity to hone my skill than a win at all costs exercise. So I was a touch surprised and ever so slightly insulted when one of the wags I usually play poker with bought me a 'Poker for Dummies' book as a Christmas present - it's not as if he's any great shakes with a pack of cards himself! Nevertheless, after getting over the initial exasperation I realised I had in this particular 'For Dummies' book a rather handy and helpful guide, and far from slighting my poker talent my joking friend had inadvertently supplied me with a guide full of helpful tips, witty anecdotes and priceless insights. With this book in hand it will be me who gets the last laugh when I take him to the cleaners and leave him token free at our next poker night.

Since late 1991 the 'for dummies' guides have revolutionised the world of the reference book, a brand that started by addressing the complexities of the DOS operating system soon spread to encompass all manner of computer programs, utilities and the internet. Once it was discovered consumers were snapping up the books in large quantities the brand was extended still further, so that virtually all of life's trials and tribulations can be better prepared for with a distinctive yellow and black guide which the publishers like to call "a reference for the rest of us!" That said it would be a brave man or woman who whips out the latest edition to the series - 'Sex for Dummies' - at that most intimate of moments! What makes the 'for dummies' books interesting is that experts in the field the book covers are the ones who write them, so you have the famous Dr Ruth imparting her knowledge of carnal matters for the sex book. In the case of the 'Poker for Dummies' edition two eminent Poker players give their collective expertise on the game, Lou Krieger is the author of two previous Poker books while Richard Harroch is a fervent player when his attorney work allows.

● Key features of 'Poker for Dummies' ●

● Cheat sheet: - This double sided feature is a yardstick in all 'for dummies' guides. Printed on yellow card and designed to be pulled out and carried as an extremely brief précis of the books contents. Of course it would be impossible to condense 298 pages into 2 but it gives the fundamental rules, ideas and suggestions that are given in fuller detail in the book and is well worth sticking in your pocket when you next hit the card tables.

● How to play the games: - This section is very much the engine room of the book, and starts with a brief look at the game of poker and its history. The whole setup of a poker game is examined and explained including gambling chips, the deck and the various hands that can win or lose a game. The beauty of this guide is that there are no assumptions made in relation to previous poker knowledge, this means that the novice will find the guide as accessible as those who have a smattering of poker know-how. With this in mind there are sections on 'the object of the game' and 'the basics of play' before fuller details of the rules are explained, examined and explained a bit more. Also detailed in this section are chapters for the various types of poker; so those wishing to learn about 'Texas hold'em' (the most popular style of poker) can skip to the relevant section while those inclined to play 'Seven card stud' or 'Omaha' can also enjoy dedicated and concise chapters.

● Advanced Strategy: - Once a basic grasp of the rules and regulations is gained it's time to skip to the Advanced Strategy. Here the player can learn about bluffing (pretending you have a good hand when you don't to try to make other players throw in their hand). Also covered is money management, a vital few pages if and when you decide to take a step up from a friendly home game to visiting a casino or online poker game.

● Computers, Casinos and Card-rooms: - Following on from the money management section in the 'advanced strategy' chapter this section is dedicated to playing poker against unknown or new opponents, usually for money. One of the major hurdles players find when they step up from a friendly game at home to a game in a casino or card-room is the speed of games, there is little time to dilly dally! Luckily this section deals thoroughly with the pitfalls and pleasures pitting your wits against players that will almost certainly be better than your usual opponents. The growing phenomenon of online game rooms is also adequately explored, with hard and fast rules listed and myths about computer poker games being rigged dispelled.

● Poker fun: - Poker fun relieves a little of the tension of poker and reminds the reader that above all else it is meant to be an enjoyable past-time. Sayings, terms and myths are described, explained and debunked if necessary. Soon you'll know your 'fish' from a 'flop' from a 'sandbag'. (A fish is a clueless player; a flop is the first three cards turned over while playing Texas hold'em and a sandbag is the art of pretending a good hand is bad to draw other players in!)

● The part of tens: - This section can be found in most 'For Dummies' books and gives ten part lists or paragraphs in an easy and punchy way. 'Ten ways to read your opponent' gives an insight into the cadence of other players and what it could mean. Other sections list 'ten keys to success' and 'ten ways to improve your poker today'.

● My Opinion ●

Despite the perusal of a few 'for dummies' guides in libraries and bookshops this poker edition was the first time I'd read one in any great detail, and it seems I have been missing out on an informative and easily digestible treat. My initial chagrin at receiving the book was quickly replaced by an enthusiasm for the way in which the book was presented. With many other guide books I've seen the game of poker is analysed to death so that each potential hand looks more like a formula for splitting the atom, and in so doing the majority of the fun is removed. With the 'for dummies' guide the paragraphs are short and punchy and are smattered with cartoons, witty quotes from poker players and useful bite-size hints that can be ingested in a simple way at will. Intuitive information is interspersed with advice for new poker players and also tips for seasoned players to further improve their game, a rare feat that the book pulls off and is therefore useful reading to all of the poker playing demographic.

Chapters - which are already short and info packed - are further split into groups of a few pages and are well indexed, thus making any particular subject easily accessible without having to trawl through pages of unrelated information. The traditional icons that have become a staple of the 'for dummies' books are at hand so that warnings, tips or reminders are seldom missed. Another joy I found within the book were the witty and sometimes self deprecating introductions to the two authors, this immediately put me at ease and made it more apparent that I was reading a book by poker fans for poker fans. Diagrams are used to further explain a tricky rule or hand while five cartoons by Rich Tennant add to the light relief. All in all a good well written and solid book that doesn't patronise or boggle, this is preciously rare in poker books nowadays!

Of course the question has to be - "has it improved my poker game at all?" Well not noticeably as yet, but then I've only had it six weeks. And at least now if I lose I know exactly where I went wrong!

www.dummies.com
ISBN:- 0-7645-5232-5
Soft-back 298 Pages
RRP £14.99 - typically can be found for half that price.
 

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