- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Harper Perennial; Reprint edition (Jan 23 2003)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0060958472
- ISBN-13: 978-0060958473
- Product Dimensions: 20.1 x 13.2 x 1.5 cm
- Shipping Weight: 204 g
- Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #471,061 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
From Amazon
Readers who enjoy poker will love Poker Nation, an energetic and obsessive account of America's favorite card game, told with intelligence and panache. Andy Bellin writes in the first person and from the gut, recounting stories about poker fanatics (himself among them) and dispensing advice on how to play the game: "You have to maximize profits through guile and savvy, eke out every last dollar that your competition is willing to lose to you--and, when you don't have the winning cards, flee as fast as possible." Aphorisms leap off the pages: "The worst hand in poker is the second-best one at the table" and "People say the mark of a con is in the details." Whether readers prefer the anecdotes about double-bluffing and illegal poker clubs or the tips on when to hold and when to fold (there's even a table showing the "Chances of Drawing Helpful Cards from a Deck of Forty-Seven Unknown Cards"), anybody interested in its subject matter will find Poker Nation engrossing. --John Miller
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Library Journal
In a partially autobiographical account of his unusual life, journalist Bellin, a lapsed astrophysics student who left science for his true calling of professional poker, introduces us to the world of legal and illegal poker games and the cast of strange characters who can be found therein. Along the way, he offers some very good advice on how to play "Texas-Hold 'Em," today's game of choice for big-money players. His breezy, easy-to-read style allows one to enjoy the thrill of the game vicariously (in clubs from New York to Las Vegas) as well as the company of some vivid if not entirely trustworthy companions. However, he does not glamorize this high-stakes game, and his accounts of the psychological toll it takes on addicts would hardly encourage one to want to try the life of a professional poker player. Recommended for public libraries. Harold D. Shane, CUNY, Baruch Coll.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Inside This Book
(Learn More)
First Sentence
I am an excellent poker player. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
I am an excellent poker player. Read the first page
Explore More
Concordance
Browse Sample PagesConcordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
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Most helpful customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Life in the eyes of semi-professional poker player,
By Vahania63 (Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Poker Nation: A High-Stakes, Low-Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country (Paperback)
I've read quite a few books about poker and this one is one of the best. You will not find many very valuable insights into the theory of poker (although there are a few that could be useful depending on the reader experience and familiarity with the game). But it really shows in unadorned way a life in semi-professional poker or of somebody in second echelon of professional players. The style of writing with self deprecating irony makes for an easy fun reading on quite serious subject. Every chapter touches a very different aspect of playing serious poker: tells, cheating, poker and realtionships, poker as a game of statictical probabilities, etc. It's difficult to tie such different subjects together but somehow it all provides for logically complete picture. Even the book is not written to be a complete introduction to the game of poker, it gives a very useful overview, including a poker lexicon, so that somebody will not be completely lost while playing for the first time in casino.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Very Enjoyable BookNow Get To Playin!!!,
By
This review is from: Poker Nation: A High-Stakes, Low-Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country (Paperback)
This was a very Enjoyable Book. It provided important and useful concepts about the game of Poker. I learned new concepts, which identified some leaks in my game. Leaks in your game can come from anywhere!!! Leaks can originate from lack of aggression, overcalling raises, misreading opponents and any other number of ways. So this book helps. Many people look at poker the wrong way. They think to win they need to do all of this super fancy plays and mindblowing stunts. Well folks...there are not that many options in poker...you fold, call or raise. So its really hard to do thinks that will just fool your opponents all the time. To win at poker it is mostly limiting your mistakes and getting all that you can from winning hands and minimizing losses on losing hands...that's it Ive been playing for about 5 years now and love the game. Ive read many poker books and found this one to be very good. So I would suggest you buy this book and maybe a couple others and get to playing. There's really no excuse anymore - since anyone can access the internet.
If you are a new poker player and would like to start playing poker online at www.partypoker.com - make sure you use the bonus code: "AMAZON25" and you will receive $25 free on your first purchase at www.PartyPoker.com. You can also use the Bonus Code "AMAZON100" and you will receive a 20% bonus up to $100! If you already play at PartyPoker, you can also play at www.Pokerroom.com. Use the promotion code "100BONUS" and you will receive 20% up to $100.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Highly enjoyable,
By
This review is from: Poker Nation: A High-Stakes, Low-Life Adventure into the Heart of a Gambling Country (Paperback)
I read Andy Bellin's inside look at the work of poker in only a few sittings, and enjoyed it thoroughly. The structure is a little odd -- a chapter on poker strategy followed by an anecdotal history, followed by another strategy chapter -- but somehow it works. Bellin is at his best when he shares the lurid history of poker, especially Binion's story. Bellin shares several embarrassing moments from his life and is always humble. An excellent book.
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