[npc]

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A local used book dealer has two copies, decent condition, of this small book with a tacky cover. He thinks they are worth $85 each.

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The price is a matter of supply and demand. Demand is high because the poker boom ocurred about 20 years after this book passed out of print. $85 seems high, but not ridiculous if the copies are in good condition. If you want to see a truly high priced book (from about the same time frame), price "Poker Faces" by Hayano.

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A quick search of the archives revealed that a few people had seen it and thought it was a good 5 card draw book, but it doesn't seem to be a name on people's tongues when you ask them, "name one classic poker book."

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And it isn't a "must read", but the reason for it's appeal to a certain audience is the last two words of the title.

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Can anyone give me some insight as to why this book is apparently so darn valuable?

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Well, it's expensive because more people want copies than are available. The reason most people who seek it out want it is because they want more information on how to apply the mathematical discipline of game theory to poker. There are a bunch of people who have read Skansky's exposition on game theory in poker from "Theory of Poker" and want more. There aren't many other places to go for more info.