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Depending on
the source of your information, about 60 million Americans play
poker-some very badly, most recreationally, many with some hope
they'll get lucky on a particular night. And out there somewhere
are those uncommon humans who are "professionals" and
who win more than half the time and earn a living from the game.
New York author Andy Bellin estimates that 135 million people on
earth play the game. Either number is impressive.
 Gambling
is fortunate to have a writer like Bellin. He know the game and
can write about it intelligently, with an awareness of the flavor,
the language and the characters, as well as the reason many play
several nights a week and come back for more-win or lose. Perhaps
it's the phrase "hope springs eternal" that fits perfectly
here because that's a big part of the underlying feeling of Bellin's
new book, POKER NATION.
Bellin has
created a beauty of a work devoted to the game. This is not a "how-to"
book as much as a "why" and "how" people love
the game. The 258-page hardbound ($23.95) covers much territory,
including an explanation of the basics plus some advanced concepts
on the most popular form of poker-hold'em-- illustrating examples
of why it has gained such interest in the past decade or so. Bellin
says it's become such an addictive game for some it could be labeled
"seven-card crack" because hands come "rapid-fire"
and it takes just a few minutes to play a game.
A decade or
more ago, five-card stud and seven-card stud reigned as the most
popular games along with draw and lowball. But now the world has
a new generation seeking faster action, higher stakes and pots exceeding
$100,000--especially in tournament situations where one card can
be worth more than a million.
Bellin write
as if he's actively in a game during the process and as a result
you can experience the "rush" of a hot hand or a bad beat
in this work. Each word tells you he's met the people as he captures
the "flutter" (of excitement) we all get when a winning
hand seems imminent.
If you ever
believed that poker was similar to war or being successful in business,
because of moves like bluffing, feints, false advertising, being
deceptive to throw your opposition off, you'll understand those
concepts even better after reading Poker Nation.
Bellin describes
playing in "underground" poker rooms and on the Internet.
He moves quickly to an even more addictive form of poker-Omaha,
and what you're supposed to do to adjust in this game to make a
profit. (Ah, the importance of position and acting first or last-what
standards must we maintain to survive? If you've never understood
the concepts of "slow-playing" or check-raise, it might
now become a bit clearer. )
There's just
enough information on odds and probability to satisfy the beginner
to advanced player and it's mixed in nicely, like a well-balanced
salad of information, numbers and conclusions.
The book includes
an importance and fascinating chapter on Benny Binion, his life
and philosophy about gambling and how he helped stimulate world
class table action with his famous World Series of Poker where the
buy-in is $10,000, the format is freeze-out where you do not leave
the table unless you lose every chip or gain everyone else's chips
to be declared winner.
As for "tells"
(the ability to read seemingly invisible, but subconscious moves
by opponents who "tell" you if they've improved on a hand
or are bluffing)? Bellin explains their importance to those who
learn how to profit by these subtle but identifiable twitches, voice
changes and head tilts. How people cheat at poker is discussed in
one chapter, with examples of how it's done and how to avoid being
victimized if you remain alert to the moves.
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