Ghosts at the Table by Des Wilson

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Editor's pick

Poker Lore from Deadwood to Vegas

Product

Ghosts at the Table by Des Wilson

Hits

Well-written, entertaining book
Excellent research into the history of poker
A good overall read for the poker enthusiast

Misses

Not a strategy book

Review

To sum up this book in just a few words, it's an exploration of the history of poker, and an in-depth look at some of poker's most revered legends.

If you're even remotely geeky, a book about the history of poker and the details surrounding its defining and legendary moments is an exciting prospect. And this book delivers on that promise.

Starting with the earliest legends of poker and working his way up to the most recent, Des Wilson fills the pages with all the facts he can conjure, in a light and entertaining tone. The book explores poker from the dirt of Deadwood to the vanity of Vegas.

A Warning to All

Some people don't want to hear the truth, and the truth is what Wilson is going for with this book. Some of the most legendary poker stories have been blown out of proportion over time; some may even have been fabricated out of nothing.

The biggest surprise for me was Wilson's detailed look into the legendary heads-up match between Johnny Moss and Nick "The Greek" Dandalos. What Wilson discovers about one of the most fabled matches of all time is guaranteed to surprise you.

Interviewing as many key figures still alive at the time of writing as possible, Wilson does a great job of getting an accurate look into the game. As accurate as anyone can, that is.

Unfortunately, due to the backroom, largely illegal nature of poker, there are few records or evidence of any kind to aid in putting all the pieces back together.

Perhaps the most blatant example of this is the legendary "dead man's hand." As most poker players know, Wild Bill Hickok was shot in the back of the head while reportedly holding a two pair, aces and eights. That hand has become known as the dead man's hand.

Except: even in the small town of Deadwood, S.D., the good people can't agree on exactly which cards Wild Bill was holding. The saloon in which Wild Bill was reportedly shot, the city museum, the Stardust in Las Vegas and the TV series Deadwood all list his fifth card differently.

Some sources claim that Bill had only four cards, having discarded the fifth, and being dealt eternal judgment in place of his final card.

Even one of the earliest references to "dead man's hand" is from 1886, by the Grand Forks Daily Herald (July 3), where it was described as "three jacks and a pair of tens. "

Wilson's recounting of this convoluted legend is an example of how well he writes. He examines all the evidence in an entertaining and concise style, not allowing his own opinion to cloud the text.

If the history of poker and all of poker's greatest legends intrigues you, by all means pick up Ghosts at the Table - you won't be disappointed.

Nolan Dalla also agreed with that sentiment. Check out his review of the book in his blog.