Total Poker by David Spanier, any good?

[jqmaverick]

amazon

this book book is too cheap.

is it any good?

[kudzudemon]

jg-
It's not really a strategy book, per se, although some elemnetary, and now dated, strategy is mentioned. It's more of a look at poker's history and culture. A whole chapter on "presidential Poker", or how poker has been a passion of several chief executives. A chapter on poker in the movies. A chapter portrait of Puggy Pearson, stuff like that. It's certainly an enjoyable read, so if it's cheap it wouldn't hurt to pick it up.

Keep in mind, however, it was written in 1977 (then re-released in 1990), so certain aspects of the book may seem a bit archaic, like all the information on five card games. Still, it's a bit of an entertaining diversion that still keeps you thinking about the game.

[chicagoY]

The Truman chapter was hilarious.

[chicagoY]

Yes, Spanier is (was) a masterful writer so reading him is a complete pleasure. Just don't expect Hold Em to dominate his discussions, remember he wrote before the boom.

[jqmaverick]

[ QUOTE ]
Yes, Spanier is (was) a masterful writer so reading him is a complete pleasure. Just don't expect Hold Em to dominate his discussions, remember he wrote before the boom.

[/ QUOTE ]

how is it i haven't heard about him before?
which other books of his are good?

[CrayZee]

It's more of an entertaining read than strategically informative. If you're into reading about poker in general, then you'll probably like it.

[dalston]

Part of the charm of the book is precisely that it was written before the boom. It is quite an interesting insight into what parts of the poker world used to be like.