Al Alvarez touched down in Las Vegas one hot day in 1981, a dedicated amateur poker player but a stranger to the town and its crazy ways. For three mesmerizing weeks he witnessed some of the monster high-stakes games that could only have happened in Vegas and talked to the extraordinary characters who dominated them--road gamblers and local professionals who won and lost fortunes on a regular basis.
Set over the course of one tournament, "The Biggest Game in Town" is botha chronicle of the World Series of Poker--the first ever written--and a portrait of the hustlers, madmen, and geniuses who ruled the high-stakes game in America. It is a brilliant insight into poker's appeal as a hobby, an addiction, and a way of life, and into the skewed psychology of master players and fearless gamblers. With a new introduction by the author, Alvarez's classic account is "the greatest dissection of high-stakes Vegas poker and the madness that surrounds it ever written" ("TimeOut" UK]).

In the years since Anthony Holden wrote his classic memoir "Big Deal," the poker world has changed beyond recognition. In "Bigger Deal: A Year Inside the Poker Boom," Holden takes his game on the worldwide tournament circuit to chronicle how the rise of online gaming has completely transformed the world of poker.

Originally published in 1897. The author was a famous conjuror who many spent many years perfecting the hundreds of tricks and sleight of hand methods described here. Contents Include: SLEIGHTS: The Double Handed Pass - The Force - The Bridge - The Glide - The Color Change, etc. TRICKS WITH CARDS: Magic versus Mnemonics - The Hypnotised card - Cards Shot Against a Hat - The Demon Envelope - The Obedient Card, etc. PREPARED AND MECHANICAL CARDS: The Changing Card - The Torn Corner Card - The Flap Card - The Conjurer as Marksman - The Envelope Card - The Coin Card - A Mysterious Transformation, etc Contains many explanatory illustrations. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.Envelope Card - The Coin Card - A Mysterious Transformation, etc

This short tongue-in-cheek novelty book describes thirty-one techniques for cheating in a four-handed game of Cribbage. Interspersed throughout are appropriate quotations from the plays of William Shakespeare, just to give it some class. A wonderful little gift for any Cribbage player who has a sense of humor--or needs one.

If you want to prove you're a good poker player, you don't have to battle against the best. Nobody really cares if you ever bluffed Phil Ivey or got Daniel Negreanu to make a bad call. You're at the table for the money, not stories of conquest. A disciplined player, one who's playing for the right reasons, would rather sit with the worst, those he's sure to outplay. He's looking for donkeys and donors. He's hunting fish.
In "Hunting Fish" author Jay Greenspan sets out on a cross-country drive---from Connecticut to Los Angeles---looking for players he can outclass. In casinos, underground clubs, and home games throughout the country, Jay shared tables with the most inept gamblers America has to offer. In South Carolina he wiped out some racial-epithet-spewing good ole boys; in Houston he fleeced the country club set; and in Vegas he happily pounded drunken tourists.
"Hunting Fish" is, however, not merely the story of a hustler's travels. In addition to fleecing suckers, Jay was convinced he could beat the very best and make it as a full-time pro. This trip gave him the opportunity to build his bankroll to the point where he could test his mettle in high-stakes games when he reached Los Angeles. Although to play in the high-limit rooms at Commerce Casino he needed a steady nerve---and a fatter bankroll. In his three months on the road, he needed to pad his roll with an additional twenty thousand dollars. That's a lot of fish to hunt.

What makes this book different than any other blackjack book is that it was written for beginner and novice blackjack players. Unlike most gambling books, where the author tries to prove how much he knows by using complicated math and confusing terms to make his point, Blackjack - Made Simple will not intimidate or overwhelm new players. If you are new to blackjack, or just want to improve your understanding of the game in general, this book was written for you.
This book covers: The basic fundamentals of playing blackjack and all aspects involved in the game of blackjack.
It also includes an introduction to card-counting, blackjack tournaments, basic strategy, simple betting strategies and table etiquette.

Crazy Pineapple 8b Poker covers the rules, strategies and review examples one needs to play this insane version of poker. A popular home game among enthusiasts, Crazy Pineapple 8b is a is a hi/lo split game meaning that the person with the highest hand splits with the person with the lowest hand (with the 8b standing for "Eight or better" - eight being the highest card allowable for a low hand). The game is played initially with three cards unlike Texas Hold'em which starts with two. One card is discarded after the flop. The book also briefly covers Omaha 8/b, Pineapple and Tahoe. The author, Kim Greenblatt, a technical specialist and "poker hater" (though he is pretty good at it), has written the popular book, "Practical Low and No Limit Texas Hold'em Ring Games." Readers of that book wrote in and asked him to write a book on this nutty variation of poker that is still played in some casinos and card clubs. Part of the proceeds from the sales of this book will go to finding a cure for Rett Syndrome.

"Bernard stands out as an excellent teacher of the game. He makes poker more accessible to players of all levels through his writings, radio show and everyday conversations. You will see how his articles convey both his vast knowledge of the game and his passion for the details of play. Additionally, you will enjoy his personal commentary about each column. These comments will give you a very rare, candid look inside the mind of a poker professional. For those of you who are not loyal followers already, I know you will become a fan of Bernard after reading this book ..."
Joe Hachem, 2005 WSOP Main Event Champion

"Bernard is a rare, diligent student of the game. His natural teaching ability draws people to him. His serious, meticulous focus on the finer points of the game has led to his success on the professional poker tour. His future in the world of poker is secure and bright."
Mark Seif, two time WSOP bracelet winner

"A must read for poker players of all levels, as it give you an unusual opportunity to get into the mind of a great poker player and columnist. You will learn something new to better your game with every column you read."
Andrew Feldman, ESPN.com Poker Club Editor

"Bernard has an amazing ability to take complicated tournament strategies and make them easy to understand. To say that he is a master teacher would be an understatement. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced player, his lessons will enhance your play and help to increase your bankroll." Linda Johnson, the First Lady of Poker "You play poker. You talk about poker. You write columns about poker. Now you've finished a book about poker. What don't you do?" Norman Chad, ESPNpoker commentator

Originally published in London in the 1920s as a revised and enlarged edition based on Hoyle's early works of the 1700s. The book is an illustrated compendium of over eighty games and their varieties including card, billiard and board games. These are fully explained with rules and advice on play. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Itas no news that cheating pervades American culture. Americans cheat on taxes, tests, sports and spouses. But the largest arena for cheating may be at the poker table! With an estimated 60-80 million Americans playing poker every weekafor the highest stakes everayou can be sure that not everyone is playing by the rules!
In this fascinating look at the card sharperas artafrom its origins in Renaissance Italy to the high-tech methods of todayadeception expert Allan Kronzek reveals 52 of the most diabolical scams ever invented. Topics include codes and signaling systems, hidden cameras and miniature ear pieces, false shuffles, cuts and deals, peeking and flashing, deck and card switches, culling, instant stacks, marked cards, alocation play, a the acooler, a and dozens of other devious devices.
Each chapter zeroes in on a single cheating concept and provides expert advice on how to spot and foil the scam (when possible!). Youall learn the secrets of "shade, flash," and "juice"athe subtlest marking systems; why cutting the cards doesnat guarantee an honest deal, how a crooked dealer can stack the flop in hold aem, why casino card rooms are "not" 100% safe, and how cheating crews crush the opposition "without" marked cards or sleight of hand.
Thoroughly illustrated and researched, and enlivened with historical sidebars, "52 Ways to Cheat at Poker" is essential reading for anyone who plays cards for moneya or anyone interested in the ingenious ways cheats steal your money while appearing to do nothing at all.

Learn or get refresher tips on how to play the $40NL Texas Hold'em game. The Forty Dollar No Limit Texas Hold'em game - ring or tournament - is one of the hottest games played in casinos and card clubs. Low buy-ins lead to some interesting games and this book by example, shows you what you should do and what you shouldn't do. For less than the cost of a buy-in, this book demonstrates a $40NL session, $40NL tournament, half a dozen thinking hand examples and some great advice as to how the forty dollar game differs from other no limit Hold'em games. Learn patience and how to be aggressive with some of the advice in this book. Kim Isaac Greenblatt, is an excellent low limit Texas Hold'em player and the author of Practical Low Limit Texas Hold'em Ring Games and other books. Part of the proceeds from the sales of this book go to research for finding a cure and therapies for Rett Syndrome. Rett Syndrome affects one out of 15,000 girls at birth worldwide. Boys born with the disease die at birth.

"Essential Poker" is a long overdue compilation of the brightest, daftest, most memorable and, above all, most entertaining comments ever made about the remarkably popular, and enduring game of Poker. In its 150 or so years of existence, Poker has fascinated some of the world's great thinkers, great gamblers and great personalities, many of whom have found something pithy, funny, helpful, original and quotable to say about this deceptively simple yet perennially absorbing game whose raison d'etre is man's obsession with beating the odds, the fates and the opponent opposite at the card table. These bons mots about poker will not make you a better player, nor a better person. But they may make you a better bettor, and will certainly provide you with a veritable royal flush of poker pleasure. Nothing can match the thrill, drama and sheer joie de vivre of playing poker - but this book captures the essence and spirit of the world's greatest gambling game and lays it out for all to see - just like the greatest winning hand you ever drew. And that's not bluffing.

Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone!

Originally published in London 1890. This interesting little book gives descriptions and advice on fourteen different variations of the game of Dominoes and a chapter on Solitaire. Skill at dominoes is founded on accurate calculation, ready observation, and rapid deduction. The author deals with these, and the various rules, in a professional but straight forward manner. The book is well illustrated with explanatory line drawings.Keywords: Straight Forward Manner Dominoes Line Drawings Accurate Calculation Author Deals Solitaire Variations Observation London Game

If you think a gang of real-life geeks can't take on the world and win big . . . think again. And whatever you do, don't sit down across a gaming table from Jon Finkel, better known as Jonny Magic. Jonny Magic and the Card Shark Kids is his amazing true story: the jaw-dropping, zero-to-hero chronicle of a fat, friendless boy from New Jersey who found his edge in a game of cards-and turned it into a fortune.
The ultimate bully-magnet, Finkel grew up heckled and hazed until destiny came in the form of a trading-card game called Magic: The Gathering. Magic exploded from nerdy obsession to mainstream mania and made the teenage Finkel an ultracool world champion.
Once transformed, this young shark stormed poker rooms from the underground clubs of New York City to the high-stakes tables online, until he landed on the largest card-counting blackjack team in the country. Taking Vegas for millions, Finkel's squad of brainy gamers became the biggest players in town. Then they took on the town's biggest game, the World Series of Poker, and walked away with more than $3.5 million.
Thrilling, edgy, and ferociously feel-good, the odyssey of these underdogs-turned-overlords is the stuff of pop-culture legend. And David Kushner, acclaimed author of "Masters of Doom," masterfully deals out the outrageous details while bringing to life a cast of characters rife with aces, kings, knaves . . . and more than a few jokers. If you secretly believe every player has his day, you're right. Here's the proof.

"From the Hardcover edition."

It's an understatement to call poker a national obsession, and the World Series of Poker (WSOP) championship represents the game's top achievement. In this exciting history, the authors use first-hand interviews, video footage, and written accounts to craft a comprehensive and highly entertaining account of the greatest tournament in the world. They introduce colourful - and seemingly fearless - characters and chronicle some of the most gut-wrenching and heart-breaking moments, often with millions at stake, to be found in any event of its kind.

Originally published in 1897. The author was a famous conjuror who many spent many years perfecting the hundreds of tricks and sleight of hand methods described here. Contents Include: SLEIGHTS: The Double Handed Pass - The Force - The Bridge - The Glide - The Color Change, etc. TRICKS WITH CARDS: Magic versus Mnemonics - The Hypnotised card - Cards Shot Against a Hat - The Demon Envelope - The Obedient Card, etc. PREPARED AND MECHANICAL CARDS: The Changing Card - The Torn Corner Card - The Flap Card - The Conjurer as Marksman - The Envelope Card - The Coin Card - A Mysterious Transformation, etc Contains many explanatory illustrations. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.Envelope Card - The Coin Card - A Mysterious Transformation, etc

Originally published in 1899, this is a comprehensive guide to the many intricacies to the game of Solo Whist. It is a complex game with many laws and tricks, with this guide intending to guard against some of the common mistakes made by players new to the game. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include: General Review of the Principles of the Game The Calls The Laws of Solo Whist Propositions and Acceptances The Solo The Misere: When to Declare The Abondance: How to Play it The Open Misere The Abondance Declaree Illustrative Hands: The Play

This book is about computer simulation, experiments, and theoretical approaches to unify various strategies in black jack. The computer simulation uses the simple strategy that a player must stay when the number of low cards is two or more. Otherwise, when the number is exactly one then the player must hit. Contrary to the author's expectations, the simple strategy did give consistent positive results for the player.

Experimenting further, the author found other observations that are important in winning such as when to start playing, busting condition of the dealer, and the shifting property of the cards. The author unified all the observations using the TM*L model. In the model, T represents the tens 10, J, Q, and K. The M* represents the medium cards 7, 8, and 9, and the ace. L represents the low cards from 2 to 6.

He also represented the game using a partial differential equation. The solution of the equation showed the sensitivity of winning with the tens, the medium cards, and the low cards. In addition, the solution verified the shifting property of the cards. The property shows that good cards move from the player to the dealer. Conversely, they can move from the dealer to the player.

Provides poker strategies for every phase of tournament play, covering the early phase where the stakes are small to later tactics such as bluffing, flops, scare cards, playing shorthanded, loose games, and endgame play.

Originally published in the 1930s. The authors state that this comprehensive work contains all the games which the card enthusiast will wish to have in his repertory, with advice and tips on each. Contents Include: Bridge.- Poker. - Cribbage.- Black Maria.- Whist. - Patience, and many, many others. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

In this new and completely revised edition, the first reigning World Series of Poker Champion gets down and dirty about how to win big. It's not just about cards. It's about the people who hold them, so you'll need to be a master of human nature.

Who better to teach you than American folk hero and gambling legend Amarillo Slim? Get his first-hand secrets on everything from counting cards to judging opponents, the laws of probability, betting, bluffing, when to drop, and when to pick up your chips and head home.

"Texas Hold'em on the Net: How to Maximize Your Winnings" gives you an in-depth look at today's most popular game. From initial registry to playing for a living, enclosed is everything you will need to access, evaluate and dominate your competition. Included are tried and true moneymaking techniques as well as how to avoid potential pitfalls and cold streaks. David 'Maximum Dave" Bradshaw has worked his way through online tournaments to compile your road map to Internet poker success. 'Maximum Dave" has been dominating online poker rooms for over 2 years and is embarking on his World Series Championship quest. You will get a first hand account through a professional's eyes of how to outsmart and outlast the competition. For short or long term results, "Maximize Your Winnings" delivers everything you need to become the next great poker force.