Product Description
There’s an easier way to win at poker than memorizing all the mathematical possibilities of every hand you draw. It’s called “playing smart.” While most people concentrate on deciding what to do with the hand they’ve been dealt, playing smart means paying more attention to what the other players are doing—the choices they make and their personal reactions. Take control of every hand by using these tactics of intimidation and concealment to master the total situation at the table. Learn the subtle clues leaked by even the most poker-faced opponents, as over time they reveal how they develop their strategies, hands, maximize their strengths, and hide their weaknesses. It’s easy to perfect these proven bluffing techniques, and start winning more than you ever thought possible. You even get advice on how to apply your newfound bluff-and-bluster to demand a raise or face down a troublemaker! The author lives in Ithaca, NY.
The book took a week to get to me, but it was in good shape — 5 star service, if not for the shipping time. I would buy from them again!
Rating: 4 / 5
I play poker with a local group of gals and we all loved this book. I’m sorry I shared it with them, actually, because I was winning a lot more before I did. Being a bridge player, I’ve always had card smarts, but this book shows that you need a lot more than that to win at poker, and tells you how to do it.
Rating: 5 / 5
I found this book helpful in many ways. First, it explained clearly with lots of examples. Second, it wasn’t just about using statistics to figure out whether to bet or not. It covered the psychological aspects of playing poker, which is another dimension to consider when playing serious poker. I recommend this book to anyone who plays regularly or wants to.
Rating: 5 / 5
Since I am a professional poker player, I actually hope that lots of players read this book and take its advice.
In the introduction, the author starts off by saying:
“I played for years in a weekly game in a university town”.
This book shows it. Doubtful if he has ever played in Vegas or any other large cardroom for significant money. He actually recommends bluffing frequently. Hope he manages to sit in my game some time…
All the examples are for Stud or Stud hi/lo split. The latest book in his bibliography is 1975 and the earliest is from 1940.
Fortunately, I did not buy this book but checked it out from the library and skimmed through it in about 30 minutes. This book is a waste of time and money.
Rating: 1 / 5
Lots of people picking up cards for the first time just push bets in to keep things going, because it’s what everyone else at the table is doing and they want action. Lynne Taetzsch gives helpful pointers about why every bet, check, call and fold you make has a purpose as well as when and how you make them. She also gives simple lessons on how playing the man or woman opposite you at the table is just as important as playing your cards correctly.
Rating: 4 / 5