Customer Reviews

How to Win the World Series of Poker (or Not): An All-American Tale

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Pat Walsh is one of the funniest writers in America. You don't have to be a poker player or wannabe to enjoy this great book on America's newest love affair--poker. The dialogue with his wife, convincing her they should invest $10k in the buy-in, is worth the price of this book alone.

I think the other four reviewers before me have stated it all. Book is very realistic. And very, very, very funny (in a good way). I got some really big laughs. The guy who wrote it should be a comedian.

I decided to post a review of How to Win the World Series of Poker, by Pat Walsh, because I think it's a great little book to read if you're interested in playing Texas Holdem'. This book won't waste your time. It's interesting, it's informative and it's well written. I rarely read an entire book in one sitting, but I couldn't put this one down - every page kept me wanting more. I was on the couch. I was at the kitchen table. I was in the bathroom. My wife threatened to hide the thing from me, but I finished it. I sure hope he writes a sequel!

Mr. Walsh decided he wanted to win the World Series of Poker, and I have to hand it to him, he literally put his money where is mouth is. He went from playing penny-ante poker at his kitchen table with family and friends, to entering the high-stakes world series of no-limit Texas Holdem' in Las Vegas, Nevada. That's a $10,000 buy-in, folks, so the man deserves a little respect. Throughout his fantasy journey he kept meticulous notes, and his book details his upward spiraling learning curve, as well as his setbacks and frustrations. That's right, he gives equal writing to his failures. But the man didn't quit. That's the thing. He wanted to be a winner. He read poker books. He memorized the odds. He played online, and experimented with computer simulation programs. He learned to watch people - to know their quirks - to recognize their revealing tells. For months and months only one thought drove his life - Holdem'.

It really doesn't matter if you're retired, or a youngster. If you want to play Texas Holdem', read this upbeat and absorbing book. It's honest, and it'll tell you what you need to know by someone who was actually there and who actually did what you want to do. So what'a ya say pilgrim: check, call, or pass?

This is an easy read with realistic stories and happenings
but is more about people than strategy. If you enjoy all types of poker games or you are a relative of someone who loves poker, you should read this book. I did enjoy it. I did learn enough new hints to help me improve my play, and
I had fun reading the book. Even if you hate poker, but you know someone who enjoys poker, you will benefit by reading it, as you will better understand why poker is played by such a variety of people. It is worth reading.

This book is so funny that I found myself going back and reading parts to my spouse. I love poker- playing it & watching it on TV. If you do to, you're going to love this book.

The beginning of this book really made me laugh, but if you know anything technical about poker, you know more than the author. He doesn't know that a prolonged losing streak is called "running bad"; he thinks poker has no name for it! He thinks 22 and AK are nearly equivalent in strength which is patently untrue. AK dominates many hands and is rarely dominated. 22 dominates almost no hands and can readily be dominated. Far stronger books in this style include Positively Fifth Street (a classic), The Making Of A Poker Player (instructive), and if you like comedy with your poker, Diary of a Mad Poker Player: A Journey to the World Series of Poker is just as funny but with much better poker.