- Paperback
- Publisher: Orloff Pr; Reprint edition (Jan 1998)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0964294915
- ISBN-13: 978-0964294912
- Product Dimensions: 21.1 x 13.7 x 1.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,505,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
The Education of a Poker Player
and over one million other books are available for Amazon Kindle .
Learn more
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Did you know you can trade in your old books for an Amazon.co.uk Gift Card to spend on the things you want? Plus, get an extra £5 Gift Certificate when you trade in books worth £10 or more before June 30, 2012. Visit the Books Trade-In Store for more details. |
Product details |
More About the Author
Product Description
Product Description
This classic book is out on its own, not only as a poker playing manual but also as an exposure of the cynical reality behind the American dream. A marvellous autobiography about countless poker games and countless characters, about the railroad men, travelling salesmen, speculators, drunks, no hopers - even secret agents - whom Yardley saw through a tobacco haze across the green baize tables of the world. First published in 1957 the poker tutelage is of the cautious/tight play variety that still works well in the Friday night games. The book is also a fascinating insight into Yardley's work as a code-breaker in WW1 and WW2.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
About the Author
Yardley (1889-1958) began his career as a code clerk in the State Department rising to chief of MI-8, the first U.S. peacetime cryptanalytic organization in the 1920's. MI-8 was disbanded in 1929 and Yardley caused a sensation in 1931 with the publication of his memoirs of MI-8, The American Black Chamber. Unsurprisingly the Army were not amused and although Yardley did some cryptologic work for Canada and China during World War II, he was never again given a position of trust in the U.S. government
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have two copies of this book. I did not have access to my first copy so I bought another one from Amazon. I said to my wife that the second copy would pay for itself over a year. I was wrong; it paid for itself within a week.
First of all, for anyone looking only for in-depth no-limit and limit holdem strategy should forget this book. The Education of a Poker Player was first published in 1957 long before holdem exsited and there are already dozens of excellent, detailed strategy guides available for anyone interested in holdem.
Yardley's book, though, is an entertaining autobiography that charts his rise from his first experiences as a 16-year-old learning 5 card draw poker to his poker playing life while working as a codebreaker for the Chinese later in life. Along the way, he does give easy to learn tips and advice gained from his poker life on draw, 5 card stud, 7 card stud high and 7 card hi-lo.
Many of today's players would say that this advice is to play too tightly (cautiously) but many of today's online players are, in Monty's words 'simpletons' and you do not need fancy play to beat them just good cards and patience. This is exactly what Yardley tries to impart on the reader.
One criticism I have seen of this book is that these games are no longer played but many - 5 card draw and 5 card stud - are making a comeback and few other books of any kind published in the last 15 years have any advice for these games, never mind one so well written.
I remember being slightly disappointed at the shortness of the book and the quickness with which I zoomed through it but I have now read it about 5 or 6 times and although the cosy feeling of settling down with it is starting to fade, just a little, I am now able to play in .50c/$1 5 card stud games and expect to win at every session with Yardley's help.
Overall, this is a well-written, but shortish, book which would make a good present for any poker playing friends or relatives. It has extremely common-sensical concepts which an understanding of, and ability to implement, will improve any poker player's game.
I strongly recommend it as an easy introduction to a sound basis for winning poker.
Mark Simpson
First of all, for anyone looking only for in-depth no-limit and limit holdem strategy should forget this book. The Education of a Poker Player was first published in 1957 long before holdem exsited and there are already dozens of excellent, detailed strategy guides available for anyone interested in holdem.
Yardley's book, though, is an entertaining autobiography that charts his rise from his first experiences as a 16-year-old learning 5 card draw poker to his poker playing life while working as a codebreaker for the Chinese later in life. Along the way, he does give easy to learn tips and advice gained from his poker life on draw, 5 card stud, 7 card stud high and 7 card hi-lo.
Many of today's players would say that this advice is to play too tightly (cautiously) but many of today's online players are, in Monty's words 'simpletons' and you do not need fancy play to beat them just good cards and patience. This is exactly what Yardley tries to impart on the reader.
One criticism I have seen of this book is that these games are no longer played but many - 5 card draw and 5 card stud - are making a comeback and few other books of any kind published in the last 15 years have any advice for these games, never mind one so well written.
I remember being slightly disappointed at the shortness of the book and the quickness with which I zoomed through it but I have now read it about 5 or 6 times and although the cosy feeling of settling down with it is starting to fade, just a little, I am now able to play in .50c/$1 5 card stud games and expect to win at every session with Yardley's help.
Overall, this is a well-written, but shortish, book which would make a good present for any poker playing friends or relatives. It has extremely common-sensical concepts which an understanding of, and ability to implement, will improve any poker player's game.
I strongly recommend it as an easy introduction to a sound basis for winning poker.
Mark Simpson
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a brilliant book. It will be a treat to anyone who is a poker fan already, as the best amalgam of poker and narrative that I have come across. I think it will also be enjoyable for anyone who is new to poker. It will serve as a lesson and introduction.
It is a book that I will always go back to, as I know that i will each time learn something new - about poker, and about life.
It is a book that I will always go back to, as I know that i will each time learn something new - about poker, and about life.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is no better training than Herbert Yardley's. As relevant today as when written. Yardley has had a remarkable life. Valid for poker players and non-players alike. Don't miss this if you do play!
Would you like to see more reviews about this item?
Were these reviews helpful?
Let us know
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Fantastic! Why didn't I know about this book before now?
I play poker. I used to play with the boys when I lived in Liberec in the Czech Republic. We played for tiny bits of money as we got drunker and drunker. Goodness it was fun! Read more
Published 1 month ago by Auntie Lizzie
One of the greats
This is one of the greatest books ever written.
I've read it a dozen times and will keep going back to it. Read more
I've read it a dozen times and will keep going back to it. Read more
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by jelly 1960
Well worth a read
Really enjoyed this book, great stories, characters etc, a bit on the short side though and a pity the strategy parts refer to games not really played much any more.
Published on 3 Feb 2009 by William K
An old school grounding in Poker
For me personally this is one of the finest books on poker ever written.
It has everything we use today, albiet in a non scientifically distilled manner. Read more
It has everything we use today, albiet in a non scientifically distilled manner. Read more
Published on 10 April 2005 by Mr. J. Holroyd
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
- I am the Author, and I want to comment on my book.
- I am the Publisher, and I want to comment on this book.
