Poker for Dummies

Poker for Dummies, Richard D. Harroch and Lou Krieger. IDG Books Worldwide. ISBN-0-7645-5232-5. $14.99.

Note: This review is written from a pre-print of this book which should have been published by the time you read this review.

Up until now there have been few quality introductory books to the world of poker, particularly casino poker. The Fundamentals of Poker by Malmuth and Loomis was about the only solid choice available (other introductory books such as Thursday Night Poker concentrated more on home games.) The Fundamentals of Poker is a great introduction. It is now joined by Poker for Dummies.

As with other books in the for Dummies series, PFD is is a thorough introduction to the subject. It is written by two poker experts, one of whom happens to be the author of two of ConJelCo's best-selling Hold'em Excellence and More Hold'em Excellence...Lou Krieger. The book starts with the fundamentals...how to play the game. The games covered are Seven-Card Stud, Texas Hold'em, Seven-Card Stud High-Low Split (eight or better), and Omaha High-Low Split (eight or better). (There is also a brief discussion about home poker.)

The discussions of the individual games are good beginning discussions...enough to get the reader started playing any of the games. (There are "in depth" sections on Seven-Card Stud and Hold'em that only last a few pages...hardly in depth.) But there are good references to other books for those who want to learn more about the particular games.

In addition to discussions about specific games, there is a good discussion of casino play, as well as key concepts such as hand selection, table selection, aggressiveness, position, etc. All of the above takes up 127 pages of the 282 page (approx) book.

Part two of the book covers Advanced Strategy such as bluffing, bankroll considerations, record keeping, when to quit, etc.

Part three, entitled Computers, Casinos, and Cardrooms covers tournaments. ConJelCo's own Dan Paymar provides a chapter on Video Poker (which I believe is out of place in a book on poker.) There is also a chapter on the World Series of Poker, using a computer to practice, and Internet poker. Some of this, too, seems out of place in this book, but it is all interesting and perhaps even useful at some level.

The last section of the book is a set of lists:
. Ten ways to read your opponent
. Ten poker legends
. Ten keys to success
. (Almost) Ten things to consider before going pro
. Ten ways to improve your poker today
. Ten real life poker lessons

As those of you who've read Lou's previous books, or his articles in Card Player could guess, PFD is well written and enjoyable to read. As with all "for Dummies" books, it is a clear exposition of its subject. While it sometimes covers subjects at a superficial level, anyone looking to begin playing poker will get a lot of out this book. Even experts are likely to learn a thing or two...and if they don't at least they'll have fun reading it.