Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game [Paperback]

John Vorhaus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

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Product Details

• Paperback: 278 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818406313
• ISBN-13: 978-0818406317
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #853,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

John Vorhaus is now known to one and all as the man who brought Radar Hoverlander - con artist extraordinaire - to life in the "sunshine noir" mystery novel, THE CALIFORNIA ROLL, and its acclaimed sequel, THE ALBUQUERQUE TURKEY. His other novels include UNDER THE GUN and WORLD SERIES OF MURDER, the latter available exclusively through Kindle.

John is also well known as the author of THE COMIC TOOLBOX: HOW TO BE FUNNY EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT. This seminal book on writing comedy for television and film is now in its fifth printing, and continues to be a definitive source of information and inspiration for writers from Santa Monica to Scandinavia. Its companion volume, CREATIVITY RULES, is similarly a crucial book for writers at any stage of development.

Not content to rest on those laurels, Vorhaus is also the author of ten books on poker, including the KILLER POKER series and, with Annie Duke, the revolutionary DECIDE TO PLAY GREAT POKER. "As a poker player," confesses Vorhaus, "I'm a pretty good writer."

An international consultant in television and film script development, Vorhaus has worked for television networks, film schools, production companies and film funding bodies in 26 countries on four continents. He recently worked in Moscow, running the writing staff of the Russian version of Married... with Children, and in Tel Aviv, consulting on the Israeli version of The Golden Girls. He also travels regularly to Nicaragua, where he builds social-action comedy/dramas to provide positive role modeling for the poor, young and disenfranchised of that embattled country.

Vorhaus is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and a member of the Writers Guild of America. He has consulted to Walt Disney Feature Animation and taught at such institutions as Northwestern University, the American Film Institute and the Writers Program of the UCLA Extension. He tweet @TrueFactBarFact and secretly controls the world from johnvorhaus.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 74 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Some useful advise, but ...., December 28, 2003

By 

Kenneth E. Bagwell "Look2Jesus" (Indianapolis, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game (Paperback)

If you play K7o in early position (or don't know exactly what this means), this is not the book for you. Go buy Lee Jones's book on low-limit poker and read it about 10 times.

However, if you really know how to play, and you are frustrated on the internet, this might be what you need. He goes into the psycology of playing online. Talks about "What the hellism" - his concept for not assigning any meaning to the chips - and other self-defeating thought patterns.

Also read this if you are new to gambling period. Much of this "Self-control" type of stuff is what you learn from gambling experience in general.

However, the author does describe some "Winning Tactics for online play" that I take issue with. He talks about "betting it up" - going into a game and raising all the time to make people unconfortable. This is great if you are playing premium hands or constantly catching cards, but if you are against a even one or two decent players, you will see a lot of reraises, then get beat by the premium hands - the author doesn't go into how to handle that situation ! Another thing. If the game is low-limit, there is not a lot of bluffing that can be done period. So maybe the author is good enough do to this in the right game and the right stakes - but it's irresponsible offer this as general poker tactic to everyone.

I also take issue with his advise to chat decitfully or annoyingly so as to take advantage of "weak-minded or naive player". Every respected poker author on the planet tells players to be nice to people - this helps the individual game, the player himself (despite what the author thinks), and poker in general. This poker boom won't last if we are not decent to each other - and to suggest otherwise is again, irresponsible.

So while this is not a classic by any means, I found it a good mental check-up on poker and gambling in general.

67 of 69 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars More damaging than helpful, March 30, 2004

By 

Randall "dba mlc3stooge" (Henderson, Nv USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game (Paperback)

I hope novices don't take this book to heart (unless they are playing at my table) because many of the concepts presented are more harmful than they are helpful. I guess the best thing to say about the book is there are FEW concepts (and therefore few harmful concepts) in the book. The author rambles about trivial things like where is your computer located, are you multi tasking, etc, and completely ignores the actual play until the last third of the book.

And then his tips? "Don't overplay, instead set an alarm clock to limit your play". PLEASE!!! If you have no more poker savvy then not to know when to quit, an alarm clock ain't gonna cut it. "Online poker is fast paced, therefore you don't get the rest breaks that you get in live games". Have you ever seen a little button called "Deal me out"? "Watch for this tell, although it can be faked and exploited". Well, there's some definite help. And how is that different than a person-to-person game.

Bottom line -- this book is VERY little help to anyone who wants to understand the world on online poker. As an aside, let me state that apparently I am not alone in this assessment. I purchased the book used, and the previous owner highlighted only one sentence in the 273 pages.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Two Good Ideas, But That's All, August 13, 2004

By 

darrelv (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game (Paperback)

This book offers two ideas that are useful. One, learn how your
opponents play and document it. Two, focus while playing poker on
your computer. These points are over-emphasized ad naseum.

Essentially this is a collection of ideas that in theory could be used
while playing online. It is not a system of good practices based on
the author's actual experience. It cannot be, because too much is
impractical and contradictory.

No advice about how to play a hand is given.