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Insider Tips from the Co-host of Celebrity Poker Showdown
Product
Poker - The Real Deal by Phil Gordon and Jonathan Grotenstein. Foreword by Jon Favreau.
Hits
- A well written introduction to poker and Limit Hold'em in particular
- Interesting and entertaining insider stories and gossip from the high stakes and tournament circuit
- Hands-on beginner advice on poker play, life and money management
Misses
- More entertaining than useful for experienced poker players
- Deals very little with No-Limit poker
Review
Phil Gordon, possibly the most recognized member of the "Tiltboys" poker crew, is known primarily as a pro poker player and co-host of the popular television show Celebrity Poker Showdown. He is also the author of a number of poker books, the latest being Poker - The Real Deal, a project he put together with poker writer Jonathan Grotenstein.
An exceptionally easy read for the poker-book genre, Poker - The Real Deal is a smooth and entertaining book that mixes hands-on advice with tales and gossip from the pro poker circuit. For the average Joe wanting to learn the basics of Texas Hold'em, it doesn't get much better than this. Most advanced players, on the other hand, will find it has very little to offer aside from anecdotes and fun facts, although some may rediscover overlooked basics when browsing the pages. With this book, Gordon showcases his talents as a compelling writer; however, he accomplishes this by sacrificing the kind of hardcore situation advice and hand analysis that is normally found in poker literature.
The book consists of 12 main chapters. It begins with a brief history of poker and continues on to discuss Texas Hold'em, money management, tournament play, and the life of a poker pro, among other things. It concludes with a chapter that aims to familiarize the reader with the World Series of Poker.
This book reads 284 pages in total, including acknowledgements, glossary and foreword.
Details:
- Hardcover $19.95
Simon and Schuster Publishing
