[Mike Gallo]

Hi Barry G,

4. Many of the successful players say that they are doing fine without poker books, so they don't want to be messed up by reading. That is the reason The Grinder gave me when he said he hadn't read my book. I think they are wrong, especially the younger players. At the least, it should help to know what other people are reading.

You make an excellent point in the bolded statement.

I have a friend who reads all poker books, so he has a handle on how other players play.

He has enough knowledge of the game to make an educated decision on which author has a correct handle on the game.

I once played in a game that had two buddies who I would call opponents who wanted to play well. They would comment on hands and classify players as animals. A mouse here, a jackal there, an elephant.

I asked the guys who made the comments what the comments meant. The fellows told me to read Phil Hellmuth's book Play Poker Like a Pro book. They had high praise for Mr. Hellmuth and his book.

I asked what animal I would be and they agreed on a bald eagle.

I remember feeling offended at first. However after looking through the book, I came to realize an eagle isnt a bad thing.