best book for understand poker businesss/pro lifestyle

[smbruin22]

wondering what the best book(s) are for understanding what it takes to be a poker professional....... not so much money management or strategy, but more just the life.

don't know the titles of all these books.... but wondering if people have read the following and can comment"

big deal (holden)
professor, madman......???
biggest game in town

any others that come to mind.... does amarillo slim have a good book?...... i enjoyed both mcmanus and moneymaker books, but i don't think they qualify.

not sure my title gives justice....... want narrative books on poker lifestyle/environment.. thanks in advance for any help!!

[steamboatin]

Gambling for a living by Sklansky & Malmuth

Professional Poker
The essential guide to playing for a living by Mark Blade

[RedGladiator]

ace on the river??

[jfk]

The true classic of the genre is David Hayano's "Poker Faces". It is somewhat dated in that it covers L.A. cardroom culture circa the early 80's (I think). This is a world which pre-dated hold 'em. Heck, players were even dealing their own games back then in some cases.

Hayano, a professor by trade, writes the book is a very methodical, academic style. Fortunately, he's still fundamentally a (succesful) card player and one to whom we'd all relate.

"Poker Faces" is starkly realistic. You won't regret reading it though you may have to go to some trouble to find it. The word "classic" is bandied about quite a lot but "Poker Faces" qualifies.

"Amarillo Slim in world of fat people" is a quick, entertaining read. You get the predictable stories and a lot of color. He goes into the "road gambler" life and spells out ways in which he earned a buck. There're some great prop bet ideas if you like that sort of thing and fancy yourself making some money playing ping pong with a skillet. Plus you get plenty of gratuitous Jimmy "the Greek" references. If you've read Andy Bellin's "Poker Nation" the two works are similar.

[Peter666]

I tried to buy Hayano's book last week but balked at the price: $150! I will try to find a used copy elsewhere, but is it worth that price?

Also, Ace on the River is excellent. Some of the material seems simplistic on the surface but it has been deeply thought over and there are some gems of advice that have made me look at things differently which is hard to do!

[Peter McDermott]

[ QUOTE ]
I tried to buy Hayano's book last week but balked at the price: $150! I will try to find a used copy elsewhere, but is it worth that price?

[/ QUOTE ]

There's a copy on Amazon at the moment for $43.50 - but that's still way over the cover price of $13,00

[jfk]

My local public library had Hayano. Try that route.

[smbruin22]

thanks for the excellent responses.......... and the books don't have to be current or anything, so the older suggestion is fine.

[PocketAces]

I think Mark Blade's book is the one you are really looking for. In addition to money management and strategy, he helps you examine whether you should quit your job and evaluate your long term prospects in poker. He also has a full section on the life of a pro poker player.

Good luck!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aws/cart/add.ht...submit.add.y=16

[Honest Iago]

Ace on the River is a must read in this regard.