Book Description
Nearly two million players go online each day to test their poker skills at virtual tables with real money. Few have made the transition from Internet poker to live tournament play as successfully as two-time World Series of Poker champion Scott Fischman, and in Online King he shares his expert insight, money-making wisdom, and priceless strategies for playing the game well. The first instructional book written by a renowned poker champion for Internet players (as well as those hoping to make the transition from computer games to live play) Online King gives readers invaluable instruction that can be put into practice immediately on his popular website, thefishtank.com. No matter what skill level you have now, Online King will raise your game.
Customer Reviews:
OUTSTANDING.......2007-10-03
WOW DICK COOK... do you even know what you are talking about? I thought this book was insighful and well thought out. It covered several different angles for beginers. This is who the book is aimed for. This book is not directed toward the more experienced players. Well done Mr. Fischman, well done.
Worthless.......2007-08-21
Not one worthwhile idea in this book. For beginners try Lee Jones..Intermediate..Mat Hilger and advanced Harrington. They are worthwhile books. Tis one is not!
Not bad, not great.......2007-07-09
Not a bad book, it does have a lot of useful tid bits inside the pages, but the book will not really challenge your thinking and insight to the game. If you're a beginner this book may be a useful read, but if you've been playing for a while and past the beginner stage, you might want to look at some other more in depth material.
Improved my INSIGHT and MIND!.......2007-06-15
****1/2
This was my second poker book and first online book. I have been playing off and on for about 7 years now and this book has helped my game tremendously, specifically online, but not exclusively either. Scott gives you a lot to think about during the game and also helps you to think on different levels and how your emotions and mind come into play whether playing online or live games. There were many excellent tips and anecdotes from well know pros as well, both online and brick and mortar. There is a great pace to the book - it is a very quick and easy read. Lastly, another nice feature is the multitude of pointers for sit-n-go's, tournaments, and cash/ring games!
The only drawback might be the lack of mention of odds in general, which do play a large part in poker, but that should be a given anyway. This can be learned from many other books anyway. I highly recommend this book to just about anyone, beginners and advanced players alike. You will certainly become a better player with all of the great strategies and insights provided. And, in turn, hopefully you can make much more money! Best of luck always!
Good book for both experienced and inexperienced players.......2007-03-16
Scott Fischman is a guy who was once a dealer who went on to win a couple of World Series of Poker bracelets including one for the HORSE event. This interested me. (Yes, I used to play basketball and remember Bob McAdoo of the Lakers who was a deadly shot at HORSE, about whom it was said--by Michael Cooper--"You do, McAdoo.") But I digress.
HORSE in poker stands for Hold'em, Omaha hilo, Razz, Stud, and stud Eight or better. It's spread in some clubs, but you can almost always find some limit games at PokerStars and other places on the Internet. A round is played of hold'em and then a round of Omaha eight or better, then a round of razz, which is stud lowball, and then a round of regular stud and then stud hilo, and the cycle is repeated. You have to be a pretty good all-around player to be successful at HORSE, and anybody who can beat that game regularly earns my respect.
This book, like many others published in the wake of the TV- and Internet-turboed rise of poker, is directed at beginners or near beginners. The "Mastering Internet Poker" in the subtitle is justified however because Fischman reveals a lot about his overall approach to the game of poker, especially his psychological approach. For Fischman the most important psychology in the game is self-psychology.
There is plenty of strategy presented throughout the book and some explanations given on how to play various hands in various situations; but mainly Fischman concentrates on his overall approach to the games. In a sense this is a hybrid book: part "how-to" and part "how-I-did-it."
Fischman is not a deep strategic master of the game or a mathematical whiz. He is a "by the seat of your pants" player with a wealth of experience both online and in the brick and mortar clubs. His advice on tournament strategy, especially online Sit-N-Go's is excellent. He divides the tournament, one-table or otherwise, into three "seasons," the beginning when blinds are small relative to stacks; the middle, when the size of your stack begins to dictate decisions; and the endgame, when many or most decisions will involve all your chips and your tournament life.
In the "beginning" he likes to "look for spots where I can safely--or as close to safely as poker allows--double my stack. Otherwise, I've got no business being in the hand." (p. 71) In the middle he likes to start making small raises often with the idea of picking up the blinds from his now very careful opponents. In the endgame, Fischman becomes super-aggressive. One excellent idea of his is that near the bubble when many players start to play very carefully you can steal a lot of pots. He believes that in Sit-N-Gos you should aim to finish first, not just in the money because of the big difference between first place money (usually 50% of the prize fund) and third place (usually 20%). So he advises, don't be afraid of finishing fourth and out of the money. A first and a fourth are better than two third-place finishes.
Also interesting is Fischman's take on "multi-tabling" online. He believes that playing several tables at once not only allows the expert to win more money, it allows the expert to get into the zone and become "the Robot," as he calls himself when he is just one with the decisions, one after another in front of him on his computer screen. His idea is that because multi-tabling is so demanding on your attention it forces you to focus. You don't have time to worry about bad beats or time to over-analyze. You are a Robot, focused, decisive and unemotional. Yes, you miss subtleties and some opportunities, but you don't try to do too much and you go with your first instinct which is often right.
Fischman tends to the superstitious, which of course is NOT recommended. However he justifies it from a psychological point of view by noting that if something makes you feel confident that will help you win. So it's okay to depend a little on that lucky shirt, and yes it may very well be the case as you drive into the club and see all those license plates with the poker hands on them, "KAA 555," etc., that yes you ARE going to be lucky today!
Some of Fischman's recommendations on how to play specific hands in specific situations go against the grain of the conventional wisdom. But here again I found his ideas interesting. Sometimes he seems clearly "wrong" or maybe just doesn't make himself clear. For example on page 125 he writes about tables being broken down later in a tournament as players are eliminated. He notes that he doesn't like being moved to a new table after having made some rebuys because "I want to have the chance to win back the chips I have lost. I can't do that if the players I've been kind enough to 'loan' my chips to are suddenly scattered throughout the tournament. There's nothing worse that rebuying 10 times, having your table broken down, then finding yourself at a new table where no one has purchased a rebuy."
Unless I'm missing something, this seems plainly illogical because it doesn't matter from whom he wins chips. He still has the same number of chips and the same relative chance of winning the tournament. I think what he must mean is that while losing those chips he picked up some valuable information about those players and now can't use that information.
What is obvious from reading this very readable book is that Scott Fischman is one heck of a good poker player and that his strength is in his overall approach to the game, some of which comes shining forth from these pages. I think both experienced players and beginners will find something of value here.
Book Description
A fast and powerful way to win money online or play for free. Ten compelling chapters show you how to get started, explain the safety features which lets you play worry-free, and lets you in on the strategies that Doyle himself uses to beat players in cyberspace. Poker is poker, as Doyle explains, but there are also strategies that only apply to the online version, where the players are weaker!-and Doyle reveals them all in this book.
Customer Reviews:
Horrendous!.......2007-02-25
I was browsing through Borders books the other day and I saw this book on the shelf. I thought to myself "Wow, I have never seen or heard of this book." I picked it up to have a quick look through and I ended up reading the whole book in about half an hour. (There isn't much to it). This book is just a total disgrace. It is the worst poker book I have ever seen- even worse than John Vorhaus's book "Killer poker online" (At least he probably spent quite some time actually writing that book ignoring the fact that the book sucks). There is no strategy whatsoever, it's basically about how to deposit money, how to download the software etc. The strategic advice is basically "Play very straightforwardly online because your opponents aren't paying attention anyway." Brunson ought to hang his head in shame, he is just trying to use his name to capitalize on the poker boom and dupe beginners into buying a product that will do nothing to help develop their game. I have lost any respect I ever had for Brunson.
shocking!.......2007-01-05
I am shocked, stunned and appalled that a lifetime professional poker player would take advantage of poker newcomers simply for money! People, a few years ago you parents would have warned you to stay away from people like Doyle Brunsen! Now everyone thinks he is this kind old grandfater type! Get real!
save your money.......2006-09-20
I cant believe that Doyle Brunson feels he needs money so bad that he should put his name on this book. This book is aimed at someone who has never used the internet before. If you have managed to play online poker for real money then you are already too sophisticated for this book. Yet another book that is simply cashing in on the poker boom and doesnt offer anything of value.
Buy Harrington on Hold'em if you want to win money at poker.
Blatant Ad for Doyle's Room.......2006-05-18
This book reads more like an advertisement and FAQ for Doyle's online poker room. There is very little of value here for the money. Do yourself a favor and buy "Super System" or another title that has worthwhile advice.
Well, I don't think its target audience has been buying and reviewing it.......2006-05-15
This book seems to have been a disappointment to many who read it, though it is mostly because these people were not the intended readers.
This book is really written for people just getting started or thinking about getting started with online poker, or poker in general. It has several chapters that cover the very basics of online poker, including something as seemingly simple as how to download and install the software. If you already play poker online, this book will not improve your game much. It is, unfortunately for many of us, really designed for BEGINNERS. I would have found its information much more useful if I'd read it within the first month I started playing. After playing for over a year, much of its information was already commonplace to me. Picking up this book at any experience level will probably improve your game SOME, just not nearly as much as some other books out there.
While Doyle Brunson is an authority on poker, his expertise just doesn't really come through in this style of book. Again, this is a decent book for those just getting started. However, if you are already an OK player or have been playing for a few months, you will probably want to skip about half of the chapters. There are some decent tips and strategies revealed, but just not enough to warrant a reading of the entire book by any kind of intermediate player.
Book Description
You've watched celebrity poker on TV; you've witnessed an accountant come from nowhere to win the World Series of Poker; now you're ready to cash in on the online action yourself!
But before you do, you'll want to invest in a copy of
Beat the Odds: The Smart Player's Guide to Online Poker for clear, no-nonsense instructions to savvy online poker playing. Learn the difference between online and real poker, how to set up an account and join a table, and where to go to find the most popular games--5-Card Draw, 5-Card Stud, 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold 'Em, and Omaha, as well as how to choose the right casino for you.
Step-by-step instructions, plenty of pictures, and real world tips will show you the ropes and help you quickly develop online expertise.. You’ll learn how to put on your best poker face with strategies (understanding the differences between poker sites and choosing the right casino, avoiding getting cheated, and software programs to track competitors) and your know-how of online poker legal issues, tournament play, and more!
Download Description
"You've watched celebrity poker on TV; you've witnessed an accountant come from nowhere to win the World Series of Poker; now you're ready to cash in on the online action yourself! But before you do, you'll want to invest in a copy of Beat the Odds: The Smart Player's Guide to Online Poker for clear, no-nonsense instructions to savvy online poker playing. Learn the difference between online and real poker, how to set up an account and join a table, and where to go to find the most popular games--5-Card Draw, 5-Card Stud, 7-Card Stud, Texas Hold 'Em, and Omaha, as well as how to choose the right casino for you. Step-by-step instructions, plenty of pictures, and real world tips will show you the ropes and help you quickly develop online expertise.. You'll learn how to put on your best poker face with strategies (understanding the differences between poker sites and choosing the right casino, avoiding getting cheated, and software programs to track competitors) and your know-how of online poker legal issues, tournament play, and more!"
Customer Reviews:
From recognizing and avoiding online cheats to understanding the quicker environment of the online play.......2006-05-27
Millions play poker online monthly: while it's similar to playing in person, there are some important differences. BEAT THE ODDS: THE SMART PLAYER'S GUIDE TO ONLINE POKER explores these differences - and tells how to overcome obstacles by choosing the best online casinos, playing for virtual or real money, and interacting with other players. From recognizing and avoiding online cheats to understanding the quicker environment of the online play, BEAT THE ODDS is for any poker player seeking entry to a whole new online gaming world.
Diane C. Donovan, Editor
California Bookwatch
Very narrow target market-- and it's probably not you........2006-05-18
Marty Cortinas, Beat the Odds: The Smart Player's Guide to Online Poker (Peachpit Press, 2006)
This is, perhaps, a worthwhile book for the complete novice to online poker; if you don't know where the sites are, and are still learning your way around a computer, there's likely a lot to be gotten out of this. If you're already registered at a poker website, however, there's very little you're likely to find here that will be new. (I did learn about PokerTracker from the book, though, so I can't call it a total wash.)
If you think a more advanced book would be right for you, it probably would. Flip through this one before putting out your hard-earned cash; you may already know everything to be found in it. **
Useless.......2006-03-14
Except for a very brief list of on-line poker sites (and their structure differences) and a warning about cheaters that you can't do anything about, this book offers nothing that even a brand new player doesn't already know about poker. There is nothing about how to play poker, nothing about how to play poker on-line, nothing about on-line strategy, on-line players, no tips, no hints, nothing about odds or how to beat them - nothing!
I never write reviews but I had to warn others about this book.
I felt very ripped off.
What a Manual Should Be.......2006-02-02
"The Smart Player's Guide..." is, happily, what's rarely made available these days; a smartly written, intelligently illustrated, concise instruction manual. In this case, for the evolving world of online poker. Those interested in anteing up to online gaming will find find the author's mixture of gaming knowledge, descriptive analysis, and personal experience with several popular sites a godsend. Those looking for the great american novel will probably want to wait for the first published effort of one of the other reviewers contributing here.
Not worth the time nor money.......2006-01-12
This is just a superficial book about online poker. It is neither worth the time nor money to buy. I have been playing online poker for a little over one month and I could write a better book than this.
I was disappointed in the book.
Book Description
Playing Internet poker in real time against real opponents might just represent poker's brave new world. Whether for play-money or real money, it's an environment consisting of virtual tables, player icons representing you and your opponents, and specialized computer algorithms that randomly shuffle the "cards." It's a world where you can find a game day or night. Though it may be the wee hours of the morning in California, it's prime time in Europe, and someone, somewhere, is looking to play a little poker. But it's poker with a difference. The game is the same, to be sure, but technology does kick in -- sometimes in strange and unexpected ways. A reference as well as a tutorial, this book includes a CD with free poker software, and a special bonus chapter with 125 interactive hands to help you prepare to play the Internet games for fun or for profit.
Customer Reviews:
Reconsider..........2006-08-04
....will the reading of this book improve your game, personally as a semi Professional player that has participated in the WSOP, I would urge all new players to start off just playing for play money. To improve your tournament play you should play freerolls. If you find yourself, hitting a place, then it is time to play for real money online, not before.
truly Disappointed!.......2006-03-04
if you are a Mac comuter user or do not have access to a PC, don't get this book!
75% of this book requires that you have a Windows PC to follow the disk and makes the book completely useless it you have a MAC.
I bought this book online, and no where does it have a disclaimer saying this book is worthless if you don't have a PC.
This book is more of an info-mercial for Wilsons Turbo Poker.
I wasted my money on this book.
It would have been nice if the author had at least framed the Q&A so you didn't need the Disk to follow what he was talking about.
I'd give it a zero if I could!
For Rank Beginners Only.......2005-09-29
This book may be useful for someone that has absolutely no experience with online poker but in no way does the book seriously address how to "beat online poker games." It briefly discusses the rules of the most popular poker games and the mechanics of online play. The book is more concerned with discussing table etiquette than poker strategy. The title is very misleading.
Great beginners guide for online play!.......2004-12-03
Although the author is a well known, don't expect an advanced treatise on onlie play. What this is, however, is a good nuts & bolts guide for online play. Great for beginners and intermediate players who have want to transition from live to online play. Also servers as a good beginner's guide to limit Texas holdem. This is the most popular game being played online, at casinos, and in local card rooms. Learn this game and you can make a living anywhere in the world, online or live!
Save your money.......2004-10-12
I've purchased 5 poker books in the past few months and this is by far the poorest. It's Texas Holdem section doesnt go beyond pre-flop play - literally! No advice on what to do after flop, on turn, at river. It comes with a free CD which, from what I gathered, promotes an online poker site. My guess is that they are marketing the site. No real content in book.
(...)
Customer Reviews:
A good resource for online players, with a couple shortcomings.......2007-05-30
I received this book as a Christmas gift from my brother who knows that I like to play online; my first impression was "Oh no, not another poker book...and worst of all, this one looks like a gimmicky attempt to address online poker rather than live casino play." I wondered whether it would teach me anything new, or whether it was simply going to be one of the dozens of books out there that have a simple preflop chart, and advocate a no-frills tight and aggressive playing style. I must say I was pleasantly surprised -- Vorhaus has clearly done his homework and understands that online play requires a markedly different approach than playing live. I (like many others) used to place too much emphasis on "reading people", which is of course impossible when playing online. Not having that tool at my disposal made me delve deeper into the mathematics and probability of poker, and I think ultimately has made me a much better player, both live and online. I think truly appreciating this book requires enough humility to "unlearn" the strategies that you've become accustomed to while playing live -- Vorhaus discusses a lot of sit-and-go and multi-table tournament play (maybe because that's what you see most on TV) but I wish he had devoted a little more space to cash games.
Now for my constructive criticism: I can empathize somewhat with Vorhaus, because it's admittedly hard to write a book about online poker with a long life-span because the state of online poker changes so rapidly...for example, online play today looks substantially different than in 2004 (what some would consider to be its "glory-days"). The average online player today is better-educated, tighter preflop, and trickier post-flop. I think a lot of poker authors a few years ago got away with writing books advocating a simple tight and aggressive strategy, which was good enough to beat the average player back then, but at present might only be enough to turn you into a break-even player. But what I think Vorhaus COULD have included in his book -- or at least what I'd like to see published in SOME contemporary poker book -- is a description of the add-on software programs that have become more or less essential to optimize your online play. PokerTracker, PokerAce HUD, datamining tools...all of these I would consider to be a "must" for anyone wanting to get serious about their online game. Would it have been so hard for Vorhaus to at least pay lip service to these tools...? Sure, they may be outdated 3 or 4 years from now, but they've been the "gold standard" for the past few years, and I think any book about online poker wanting to present a complete picture of the online game requires a section explaining these tools and how to optimize their use. I guess one thing Vorhaus couldn't have foreseen was how the U.S. legislation in the Fall of 2006 would change the online poker scene forever...I think a lot of American players erroneously came to believe that the law made playing poker online illegal...when NOTHING could be further from the truth. It simply made it more difficult to deposit from the U.S., but there are still plenty of ways to fund accounts at the US-friendly poker sites. THe PokerSavior website has an oft-updated list of sites that continue to serve the U.S. market and the most frequently-used deposit methods at each. I think a book about online poker written today would look very different than Vorhaus' offering, although I will admit that his is one of the few to specifically address some aspects unique to online play...I've seen a few other books for sale that purport to discuss online poker, but they're simply poorly-written attempts to cash in on the online poker boom, and don't really offer anything new. Vorhaus' book doesn't fall into that trap, and I think it's a worthwhile investment for any online player.
More of the same mostly useless advice.......2007-01-19
Killer Poker Online Vol. 2 was to be the redeeming value of this two part series. Most would expect that since the original book, "Killer Poker Online" left a lot to be desired, and focused on just about everything but actually playing, that this latest endeavor would expand upon the apparent foundation that Vorhaus was attempting to define previously. Unfortunately, we just get mostly more of the same useless information.
The major flaw with this book is that it provides little insight into how to actually win big pots, lose small ones, and "crush the internet game". To make matters worse, some of the advice about actual play which is given has been routinely dis-proven via real life examples. For instance, Vorhaus mentions that Sit-n-go tournaments should be utilized for entertainment only, in that trying to build a bankroll via this method is hazardous. He further mentions that Sit-n-go tournaments require more luck than skill.
The problem here is that many online regulars play only Sit-n-go games, and many famous, world renowned players found their way to stardom by focusing on Sit-n-go style games. But then to contradict himself, Vorhaus mentions that regular, multitable tournaments are your best bet. Any poker regular understands that multitable tournaments require luck as a prominent variable in your play. I don't understand how Vorhaus would consider luck to be too big of a factor in sit-n-go play, but not one in multitable tournament play. On top of that, at the final table in a multitable tournament the play is almost identical to sit-n-go games with the exception that not all players will begin the final table with the same amount of chips. Where are we to get this final table experience if we don't play sit-n-go games, especially considering that one position apart at the final table can be thousands, or even millions of dollars in payout differences?
His advice on cash game playing is limited, and mostly focuses on the philosophy of getting a big pot when you have a big hand, or folding your cards before you commit too much of your money with a losing hand. This is common sense stuff.
But sadly, most of the book involves the same type of "advice" given in the first; which is to talk about things outside of the game. Telling readers things like, "don't play tired", "don't play distracted", or "don't play with the TV on" all make sense and are worthy of mention, but I fail to see why they should be reiterated to the point of consuming a large percentage of the book.
Advice on booking is reiterated here as well, which is keeping track of other players' habits. This is good advice and should be stressed because most players will not do this, even those that agree that it would give their play an edge. With online poker however, unless you are playing very high limits where you regularly (on a daily basis) play the same people over and over, you rarely see the same person twice. This becomes especially true when considering that a single poker site may have tens of thousands of players in your limit range, and you play at 3 or 4 different sites on top of that. Not to mention, it doesn't serve much purpose to keep track of play styles if you don't know which strategies to use against such playstyles. Vorhaus successfully convinces the reader of the advantages of booking, while simultaneously failing to teach the reader what to do with his findings.
Something quite disturbing to me is that Vorhaus does spend quite a bit of time explaining what you shouldn't do, rather than what you should. He presents problems without solutions, and quite honestly gives more advice on how you can lose money than how you can make money. Any fool can go to a poker table and lose money, we don't need to learn that. While some may point out that examining mistakes is important in learning to avoid them (something I do not disagree with), it serves no purpose if a lesson isn't learned from it. For example, let's say I'm faced with a situation where big money could go either way on a big hand. Rather than simply understanding how I could lose big, it would be nice if a potential error was followed up with a practical solution or approach. So I know how not to lose big money on a hand, but do I know how to win big money on a hand? It seems to me a more productive approach to teach me the right way to do things, rather than teach me the wrong way to do things and then expect me to figure out an alternative.
To be honest there is no substitute for experience, and I think we know that holds true with just about anything. Getting experience in online poker is expensive though, so books are a good way to offset that cost by giving insight and helping to develop your game faster. Unfortunately, this book won't do that for you, unless of course you didn't know that distractions can make you lose focus. If you have absolutely no clue as to what online poker is, then this book comes highly recommended, otherwise you'll get a better return on your money elsewhere.
Solid Book.......2006-11-10
I read a lot of poker books and a lot of the information in these books is repetitive. This is not the case with Killer Poker Online 2 by John Vorhaus. Vorhaus takes a more cerebral look than some other books that focus on technical analysis. This book is more about the philosophy and psychology of the online poker table than the other books I have read. Some of the concepts and information in the book I already subconsiously knew, but Vorhaus fleshed them out and made me think on a deeper contextual level.
This book will stay part of my poker library for years to come, along side the Harrington On Hold'em Volumes, Phil Gordon's Little Green and Little Blue Books, Brunson's Super System 1 & 2, and Caro's Book of Poker Tells. I am also planning to read Vorhaus's other poker books.
Book Description
In Play Poker Like the Pros, poker master Phil Hellmuth, Jr., demonstrates exactly how to play and win—even if you have never picked up a deck of cards—the modern games of poker, including: Texas Hold'em, Omaha, Seven-Card Stud, and Razz.
Phil Hellmuth, Jr., a ten-time World Champion of Poker, presents his tournament-tested strategies to beat any type of player, including:
The Jackal (crazy and unpredictable)
The Elephant (plays too many hands)
The Mouse (plays very conservatively)
The Lion (skilled and tough to beat)
Play Poker Like the Pros begins by laying out the rules and set-up of each game and then moves on to easy-to-follow basic and advanced strategies. Hellmuth teaches exactly which hands to play, when to bluff, when to raise, and when to fold. In addition Hellmuth provides techniques for reading other players and staying cool under pressure. There are also special chapters on how to beat online poker games and an inside look at tournament play.
Written and read by Phil Hellmuth, Jr.
Customer Reviews:
Rivered by Phil.......2007-01-27
This CD set was just a re-hash of his other books...Great Bluff Phil
Customer Reviews:
Worst poker book of all time........2006-12-08
This book is a JOKE. It is BY FAR the worst poker book I have ever read. In fact, I don't even think it's fair to call this book a "poker book" as the book does not contain one sentence about poker strategy- not one! It basically consists of such useless advice as: "Concentrate when you're playing in a game," "Don't play drunk," "Pick a good user name," "Don't play tired," "Keep notes on your opponents,"If you get bored then do something else while you play but don't get too distracted" etc etc etc. Vorhaus also attempts to be funny throughout the book and his sense of humor is really annoying and very corny. I had a great deal of difficulty forcing myself to finish reading this book but I figured since I paid for it, I might as well force myself to complete it.
How this atrocious book found a publisher is beyond me and how it has enjoyed any level of success is just mystifying. Vorhaus has actually written a sequel to this book so I have to assume that there is a market for his awful work which I just cannot understand.
Do not spend one cent purchasing this book as you will be sorely disappointed. Invest your money in Matthew Hilgers excellent book if you want a solid manual for playing Texas Hold 'em on the internet- that book will give you the information you need to "crush the internet game." With Vorhaus's pathetic rag you won't be crushing anything; you'll just be kicking yourself for wasting your money.
I would like to give this book zero stars but unfortunately Amazons rating system doesn't go that low.
Take it for what it's worth.......2006-08-20
This book is intended for the amateur poker player that is new to the online poker world. You should know the basics of poker, and have some experience playing for money first.
If you are a decent table player and seem to be consistenly losing in the online game, this is what you need to read. He covers online pitfalls that the table player may be unaware of, covers great online tells, and how to exploit them. What to watch for when analyzing a new poker site, and so on.
He does over analyze a few concepts, but I believe that is intended to burn it into your brain.
Pretty weak.......2006-05-10
Lots of the information I consider true but obvious or not actionable. Other parts I don't agree with. For instance, he's pretty negative about playing multiple tables and those that do. He never tries to back this conjecture up with any statistics or experiments.
It's clear that the author considers on-line play to be a lesser from of poker, an imperfect simulation of Brick & Mortar play rather than a game of itself. Having really started on the internet myself, I find this perspective (while not exactly wrong) jarring. I don't, for instance, consider the lack of physical tells to be a defect.
There's much discussion about tracking your opponents through notes. Vorhaus wrote this edition in 2003. In 2006 there should be some coverage of software tools (pokertracker, etc.) to help in this process.
The section about preselect buttons is good, though not news to experienced players.
If you're an experienced player making a first foray into online poker, there are a *few* helpful hints. As an alternative, I'd suggest reading rec.gambling.poker, fullcontactpoker, or 2+2 forums. They're more informative and up-to-date.
Worth 9 bucks? Tough call.......2006-05-07
I believe if you learn one thing from a poker book, then its worth it. Here its not very clear that I can learn one useful thing from the book. Mostly because the hours you spend reading it, a seriously player woudl've made money instead of wasting time reading this book. Most of the stuff in this book isn't wrong, its just useless. The most important concepts lie somewhere in the zone of "online, tilt hurts you more because if you go on tilt for half an hour you play about 12 hands at a casino but online you play 50 or more hands, so it's much more harmful." If you dont know things like this or haven't thought about it (by the way the reverse is true, if you're running good and on your A game you also get more hands in online while in your optimal zone), then this book may well be useful to you, but it wont be the book it's made itself out to be.
what the others have said is true........2006-03-05
the guy ought to be taken out and whipped, publishing this kind of detrimental manure. if he's played 20k hands in his life, i'd be much surprised.
Book Description
Get ready to develop and refine your online poker skills with these winning secrets! Effectively use the various tools at your disposal to examine your play and gain valuable insights about yourself and your opponents. Recognize cheating when it occurs and take action. Examine the decisions you need to make from the first round of cards to the last round of betting. Learn how to evaluate your play using poker-specific packages such as the Poker Odds Calculator, PokerTracker, and the Wilson Software product line. If you're a beginner, you'll get up to speed on all the basics. If you're more experienced, you'll benefit from new techniques and tips to improve your game. Regardless of your methods-whether you're a risk-taker or more conservative player-"Winning Secrets of Online Poker" provides you with the knowledge to improve your online poker game so your losses get smaller and your wins get bigger.
Customer Reviews:
Good Read.......2006-11-03
This book had some intersting concepts and for the most part i am glad i read it. At times the author should have livened the book up with some humor, there are some dry portions that are a struggle to get through.
Just another advertiser for a major online poker website.......2006-05-04
Book has little relavent information on poker, let alone online poker. The "cut and paste" of screen prints is a tell tale sign of an author trying to fill up pages to make the book longer and "worth the money". Don't waste your money.
A poker book written by a DOCTOR? Now I've seen everything!.......2005-08-22
Let's be honest here...I'm not the sharpest lightbulb in the toolshed. I decided I wanted to jump on the poker bandwagon and just see what all the fuss was about, but I only had cursory knowledge of how the game of pirates and cowboys actually worked. So one day I was browsing the 'Zon and came across this book. Looked interesting, a great review provided by Jonathan Roth, and the price is right...if I'm going to start gambling, I might as well start here!
It's written by two brothers: Curt and Dr. Doug Frye (I call them the "two aces"...LOL!) Yup, that's right...DOCTOR! And a COMPUTER EXPERT!
This book covers a lot of stuff. I never knew there were so many different versions of poker out there! PINEAPPLE?!? It's not just for cocktails anymore! LOL! I'm glad all of this is included....who knows what would've happened if I signed on and logged into some game I had no idea about. I wouldn't have even known the difference!
What I also found interesting was how in depth it gets with all these crazy situations you can get yourself into and how to handle them. I thought I was just going to get an overview of what hand beats what and things like that, but they managed to cram a lot of juiciness into this book. I like how they weave all of the normal poker stuff into playing online and all of the different program possibilities there are. This is very nice because right now, online is the only way I can play as I'm bedridden!
And not only will this book help sharpen your poker skills, it will sharpen your LAUGHING SKILLS! I'm so glad this book isn't some boring technical manual. The boys really know how to make a girl laugh!
Overall, if your someone slightly familiar with the game of poker but really want to approach it seriously, this is a great book to have! It covers all the basics, and I found it indispensible for getting started online and actually HOLDING ON TO my money. It also feels like a book I can grow into. I haven't been able to use all of the information in it yet, and I don't think I will outgrow it soon. Plus, it covers a lot of different games, so you don't have to buy allthese different books...it's all there in one handy guide! I keep it handy whenever I'm online.
Useful for Novices. .......2005-08-21
Perhaps a better title for this book would be, "A Thorough Introduction to Online Poker," as it excels in instructing readers about the basics of the game, but does not reveal many unknown secrets. It was published with neophytes in mind. Some of the topics, such as when the authors thoroughly discuss the legalities of online poker, are quite valuable; particularly when they quote from the federal court case illustrating the vagueness of the law in regards to contests. Further, there is a unique emphasis on the technological aspects of poker which is evident from the three chapters devoted to poker spreadsheets and software. The best of these programs are the ones which fit over the poker website like a template and record information automatically. The worst of them are the ones that make you record, with individual keystrokes, the results of your hands. It takes unusual dedication for the average player to do this, but I can see how it would immediately improve one's game.
Overall, with its stylish presentation and excellent organization, the manual is excellent for beginners, but I can't say that it offers much for those of us with a great deal of experience. Again, with few "secrets" shared, the title is rather misleading.
Book Review for WSOP.......2005-05-27
This book has all the good qualities of a beginning poker book and then goes farther, introducing the reader to ways of analyzing their game never covered before, as far as I've seen.
The authors begin with a quick primer on the history and legality of online poker and then move on to the basics of how to set up an online account and get money into it so you can play away. (Go to a place like rec.gambling.poker for more in-depth discussions on how the rewards programs work.) After that, they go into a lot of detail about the games themselves, which makes this book not only an internet poker book but also a general poker book. A very strong point is that they talk about several different games: Hold `Em, Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, Omaha, Omaha Hi-Lo and Pineapple (a little). So many books concentrate on only one game. They get into the statistics a lot, noting that their statistical analyses showed you'll win a certain percentage of the money when you're in a given situation. They also go through the different ways the hands can win or lose depending on how the cards fall the rest of the way. In Omaha Hi-Lo, for example, they'll give you three a scenario in which three different hands are competing for the money. They describe how the best highs and lows can be made and how the situations change on the flop and the turn. Rest assured, though, they do cover Hold `Em extensively! This book does NOT cover pot-limit and no-limit poker, though.
The analysis section talks about how to use Excel and the Wilson Software packages to analyze your play. If you're serious about improving your game or are curious about how big a favorite or an underdog you are in a given situation or if you want to be able to play poker for free after buying the packages this seems like a good idea (I've never used the Wilson Software, I have to admit). But it would be interesting to see how a simulation would come out and by using something as simple as the chart wizard in Excel to cast an objective and unblinking eye on how well I play at certain times.
This book is really good and should be part of your poker library!
Book Description
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Online Gambling is a tutorial and a reference for anyone wanting to play games of chance for real money prizes via the Internet. It brings you up to speed on how the industry came about and where it's heading, what types of wagering are available, how to find a reliable site for wagering, how to register, deposit money, play the games and collect winnings, and what is happening from a technical standpoint when the games are being played. Learn about the different types of gambling software available-including Java games, Shockwave games, server-based games, and downloadable applications--and the advantages and disadvantages of each. They'll also learn about e-commerce, online security, legal issues and consumer protection.
Customer Reviews:
Very basic.......2000-08-09
This book has basic information of the sort you quickly find on your own. Like other _Idiot_ books, pages get filled with elaboration of the obvious. The book also has a very rah-rah cheerleading tone for the gambling industry -- a highly complimentary reviewer above is in Belize, a major host of gambling servers. There is a short, common sense section on how to avoid problems, but no mention of any of the actual URLs who've been ripping people off. For that, go to the free portals like winneronline, gamemasteronline, gambling.com. However, I think the book still would be quite useful to someone new to both gambling and the web.
Idiot's Guide is a MUST for the novice and pro alike!.......2000-03-02
mark balestra has done a wonderful job in putting together what potential players will need to know before playing offshore. it is simple to write a book that explains how the different games are played online but the big concern here is safety factors when fronting your money offshore. mark makes these things crytal clear and tells you what to avoid and where to go for advice. i highly recommend this fine book for anyone who is considering internet wagering!
brian georgia partner in bettorsworld.com
Extremely comprehensive.......2000-02-03
After reading this book almost cover to cover, I can easily say this is the most comprehensive book regarding online gambling written to date. From software providers to sites to avoide, Mark Balestra has included it all. I have found it to be an excellent choice for reading as well as a good reference tool. Thank you Mark Balestra.
Book Description
Learn how to win at online poker from a pro! Whether you're a beginner or an intermediate player who wants to move from live games to playing online, The Everything Online Poker Book is your user-friendly guide to the fundamentals of the game, along with tips and techniques that are specific to online play.
This insider's guide offers step-by-step instructions and real-world tips on:
- Setting up an account and making secure bets
- Finding the right site, joining a table, and navigating an online game
- Online poker etiquette
- Figuring out the stakes and other player expenses
- Avoiding cheaters
- Finding poker resources on the Internet
The popularity of online poker is exploding, with some 2 million people playing on more than 300 sites every day! Whether you're a risk-taker or a more conservative player, The Everything Online Poker Book gives you everything you need to devise a winning strategy and cash in on the online action!
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- Oriental Adventures: The Rulebook for Ad & D Game Adventures in the Mystical World of the Orient (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons)
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- Pokemon Diamond & Pearl: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)
- Product Innovation Strategy, Pure and Simple: How Winning Companies Outpace Their Competitors
- Professional Poker: The Essential Guide to Playing for a Living
- Psychic Circle
- Relationships for Dummies
- Roger von Oech's Ball of Whacks: A Creativity Tool for Innovators
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Books Index
Books Home
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General
| Strategy Guides
| Games & Strategy Guides
| Computers & Internet
| Subjects
| Books
Harrington on Hold 'em: Expert Strategies for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. III--The Workbook (Harrington on Hold'em)
Phil Hellmuth Presents Read 'Em and Reap: A Career FBI Agent's Guide to Decoding Poker Tells
No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice
Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play
Phil Gordon's Little Blue Book: More Lessons and Hand Analysis in No Limit Texas Hold'em
