6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Education of a Poker Player, 22 Mar 2007
This review is from: The Education of a Poker Player (High Stakes classic) (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
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The classic poker novel, 28 Aug 2003
By A Customer
This review is from: The Education of a Poker Player (High Stakes classic) (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.
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