I just bought "The Professor, The Banker, And The Suicide King" and "Omaha Poker" by Ken Warren. I am in the middle of reading the Full Tilt Strategy Guide which is taking forever because I have had it up to my ears with reading about hold em, so I might have "mini reviews" out on these first. Has anyone read either of these? What do you think?

Looking forward to your reviews. I've read some excerpts from the Professor, The Banker, and The Suicide King, and heard nothing but good things about the book.

The book is thought to be based on the first match between Andy Beal, a Billionairre Banker and a group of the High Stakes Players known as "The Corporation".

Although, I believe the book is listed as fiction, It's widely believed the following characters from the title of the book are:

The Professor: Howard Lederer

The Banker: Andy Beal

The Suicide King: Ted Forrest

There was a second big match between Andy Beal and the Corporation roughly a year later (Feb 2006) I wrote a recap of the Andy Beal vs. The Corporation match about two years ago on one of my other poker related websites.

It's definitely an intersting story, it was fun to follow.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !

Yeah so far I am buried in this book. It is interesting to read about Forrest and Todd Brunson as I played for hours and hours with Forrest and partied my ass off with Todd. I didn't know these two would have parts in this book before I got it! Very interesting considering I have played and hungout with the charactors!

I was just wondering, why would you buy a book when most of the information is free online? Is it because you follow certain writers that don't publish their work for free?

It is easier for me to read a book in bed or at the gym on the bike in book form. The book information is also a lot more accurate than your average person posting a comment. I say develop your own style but start off by basing that style off a player you like.

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Kickboyswoop

Good question.

For one I enjoy the "complete" information a book presents. I like a full explaination on one players feel for the game and it really helps you to understand how others play. I feel that if a book has one usefull piece of new knowledge in it that will help me profit at poker than it will surely pay for itself. I don't think I have read a book yet that did not have at least one good point or two in it, although some do have less than others. Also if you havn't read a piece of information you can be sure someone else has, why not fill some spare time growing your knowledge?

Two might be a little wierd and has more to do with why I own the books than anything but I like to have a good solid archive. Books to refrence when I have stumbled upon some epiphany at the table and remember that "that guy mentioned that in that book." I can look it up and get differing views and possibly solidify a theory or idea I had at the table, or away from the table.

The main reason is that I just enjoy reading and there is little replacement for sitting down, getting comfortable, and reading a good book. Since I am into poker I like to read poker books. If I was into race cars I would read race car books and if I were into fighter jets I would read fighter jet books. I like to read and I work at a computer screen all day. I figure I kill two birds with one stone this way; I get to enjoy the relaxation of a book and at the same time hopefully improve my game!

This is the way I have always looked at poker books also. If you only learned one thing from the book, how much is that piece of knowledge worth over a year, 10 years, a lifetime?

Books are by far the cheapest and best ways to learn the fundamentals of poker.

Jason

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I'm Not Lucky, I Have Good Karma !

Warren emphasizes the differences between Omaha and Holdem in his book "OMAHA POKER"- an important step, considering that most new Omaha players have played plenty of Holdem, which can be good and bad. There are dozens of board reading examples that take hands and teach the reader how to interpret them in relation to the community cards. According to Warren, Omaha takes away some of the edge that better players may have, encouraging new players to take up Omaha. Warren's book will help a rank beginner become more of a winner, but little else.

I posted a mini review here. Winners Guide to Omaha Poker - Ken Warren (Review)

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"You will succeed far more by capitalizing on your opponents mistakes than you will by the greatness of your own play." --- I am not sure who said this but it is a great quote and piece of advice.


Colorado Players Click Here

Some of the poker books (not new) that I like:

Amarillo Slim in a World of Fat People, Amarillo Slim Preston and Greg Dinkin

Aces and Kings, Michael Kaplan and Brad Reagan.

Bad Beats and Lucky Draws, Phil Hellmuth.

Ace on the River: an Advanced Poker Guide, Barry Greenstein.