Comment on Greenstein Rating

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Everyone:

I have several friends who are very good poker players and who have now read the Greenstein book. They all like it a lot. But there are now reviews, some of which have appeared here, that are quite critical of it and I can't dispute the complaints these reviews represent.

I think the problem has to do with exactly what you, the reader, were expecting from this book as opposed to what this book is. One problem is that it is subtitled An Advanced Poker Guide. In many ways it is, but in other ways, with the possible exception of the hand examples, it's not. Ace on the River does not step you through detailed strategy. It mostly deals with those psychological holes, and in many cases not in extreme depth, that stop pretty good playes back from beginning great players.

Since these are areas that are rarely discussed in the poker literature, this book will have a lot of value for some players. But if you're a relatively new player who is still trying to figure out the basics of correct strategy, as Barry said to me, "Read a Two Plus Two book for that."

So all in all I still recommend Ace on the River. But a more accurate rating might be 8 + or -2 depending on what exactly you are looking for in the book and what An Advanced Poker Guide means to you.

One criticism that I do reject is the "too many pictures and not enough dense text." The book is 316 oversized pages. If Greenstein would have gone with normal size pages (such as our books use) and perhaps only had 280 pages by using less pictures, this comment would go away completely.

Best wishes,
Mason

[Ryan Beal]

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One problem is that it is subtitled An Advanced Poker Guide. In many ways it is, but in other ways, with the possible exception of the hand examples, it's not.

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This is where I've been stuck in my review, because I feel the exact same way.

I also agree with you about the book's length.

[bobdibble]

Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

[SNOWBALL]

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Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

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OTOH, John Feeney doesn't play 4/8k, does he?

[Ryan Beal]

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[ QUOTE ]
Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

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OTOH, John Feeney doesn't play 4/8k, does he?

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I don't think that's fair.
If you want to discuss content, do it.
But don't try to dismiss someone's criticisms with, "Barry plays higher stakes!"

I like Greenstein's book, btw.

[benfranklin]

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[ QUOTE ]
Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

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OTOH, John Feeney doesn't play 4/8k, does he?

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Neither does anyone here.

[Shandrax]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

[/ QUOTE ]

OTOH, John Feeney doesn't play 4/8k, does he?

[/ QUOTE ]

Neither does anyone here.

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What I don't get is this: If the book was written for the high stakes pro then it is actually kinda funny. Imagine you would be such a player with a bankroll of a couple of million dollars and then you can buy vital cruical important advice to improve your game for just 25 bucks. Must be either a bargain or some sarcastic joke.

[Rudbaeck]

It wasn't written for the other extreme high stakes players. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[olliejen]

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What I don't get is this: If the book was written for the high stakes pro...

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i think rather than thinking about it this way, think of it as, it's written "from the perspective of a high stakes player, about what that world is like"

the audience then, is people interested in that subculture. Some will be complete novices, others hobbyists, and still others aspiring pros.

[Rudbaeck]

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Inside the Poker Mind covers a lot of these non-strategic topics in more depth.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think Mason is aware of that, and was refering to things not already discussed in ITPM and POP, both of which he should be decently familiar with the contents of. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]