Customer Reviews

Poker Aces

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3 star:		(1)
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If you are intrigued with poker, you're going to love reading "Poker Aces" by Ron Rose. This poker book is truly an original! I have several shelves full of excellent books on this popular American sport, but I have never read anything quite as fulfilling as this one.

"Know your game, know your percentages, know yourself, and, know other players" seems to be the advice of nearly every good writer on this subject. The task of knowing other players, however, is the most daunting for me, because it defies good procedure. How do you organize complex poker behavior? Watching others' style, moods, eccentricities and poker "moves" is an endless fascination. The better the player, the more important it is to know all you can about him. There is a lot more to know than the occasional "tell." The person's background, education, attitude and life perspectives seem to creep into every session he plays, sometimes manifesting a much stronger influence on his actions than good tactics and game knowledge.

Ron Rose has truly filled a void for poker enthusiasts worldwide. (Like me.) I really want to learn something in depth about the champions and how they got that way. How and when did they get hooked on this game, anyway? Was it something their parents loved, as for Jennifer Harmon and Annie Duke? Or did it begin as a relief from the responsibilities of college classes as for Phil Hellmuth, Chip Reese and me. It seems "the Hook" which starts a person into playing poker somehow affects his game thereafter. "That hook" is revealed in detail for most of the champions.

But even if your hook does not affect your play in poker any more than it does in your golf game, other life situations certainly can. For example, several champions in Ron's book were refugees from troubling situations in other countries where their individualistic survival skills have made them strong tournament contenders: Amir Vahedi deserting a sure death situation in the Iranian Army; Men Nguyen, Tony Ma and Lieutenant An Tran fleeing the Communist takeover in Vietnam.

Occupational backgrounds and health histories certainly influence play, but these factors affect poker players in different ways and seem to be only a part of overall profile. Ross Boatman is a professional British actor. "Miami" John Cernuti is a fired air traffic controller. T J Cloutier a former football pro. John Bonetti and Doyle Brunson are cancer survivors. Dan Harrington and Randy Holland are lawyers.

Most of the great champions have college degrees or very accomplished backgrounds, such as Ron Rose himself, former USAF Captain, Masters degree in mathematics and successful computer entrepreneur.

Ron has also identified the guiding philosophies of many living poker greats. This is one of the best parts of his book because every champion finds a different perspective to his winning path. Why does Humberto Brenes say, "Poker is like going to kindergarten." (p. 15) Is Mark Seif realistic when he says, "You have to become your opponent...to exploit the weakness of his hand." (p. 155) Why does Charlie Shoten claim, "Being a better poker player has to do with being a better person."? (p. 158) The author has loaded this book with great insights, not only from the philosophy of current champions but also from other famous personalities such as

Lou Krieger

"Poker is a microcosm of all we admire and disdain about capitalism and democracy.

Somerset Maugham

"Poker's the only game fit for a grown man. Then your hand is against every man's, and every man's against yours."

And, General David Shoup

"The commonest mistake in history is underestimating your opponent; happens at the poker table all the time."

"Poker Aces" is one of the most satisfying poker read in years. Its layout and organization is excellent, and its pages are well written. The book is full of good photography showing 89 of today's international poker champions at play. I am looking forward to the Second and subsequent editions of this book in coming years.

(...)

Poker Aces by Ron Rose is the most comprehensive and gorgeous books on professional pokers to date. I happened across the book when a friend recommened it to me. It is the ultimate resource on pro poker players - The pictures are great and it is extremely informative. What I like most is that I can use it as an autograph album. Just from walking around WPT events I can spot a player and s/he can sign his/her page in the book. So far I only have 12 signatures but I plan on filling it up.
Thanks Ron for the goregeous tribute to poker players.

Card player magazine, a bi-weekly review for poker enthusiasts, likes what they see, obviously. It appears Card Player is interested enough to reprint the bio's in future issues of their magazine. I find it a bit of help as I work my way along the tournament trail where knowledge of your opponents is critical since these are the guys and gals you will have to face eventually. Clear and concise, making a good evenings read. Five Stars, Mr. Rose; Bravo.

This is a very large book with excellent photography and well written articles on each player. After reading about a dozen pages, I realized that it really seemed like I was reading a lot of the same stuff. Most players started off doing this or that, then moved to poker. They won a tournament and became interested and became pro.

Overall, I gave the book 4 stars. It provides information on many of today's poker superstars that would take a long time to search for ourselves. We get a unique look at the lives of these players and see that they are pretty much like all of us in a lot of ways...and very different.

Ron Rose always seemed to be a nice guy and he made this book with members of his family helping him. You can really feel the love and respect he has for all of these players and the poker community. If you have always wanted to know more about some of the famous poker players, this is a great book for you.

This is a great book. It's not a how to play book but it gives me as a beginner an opportunity to see how my heros of the poker world got started and where they came from. Poker is a sport that gives me a chance to play at the same table with the poker greats. I've sat with Scotty Nguyen at the same table in Tunica. (It was worth the $500 buy in). Thank you Ron for this great insite to the world of poker. Read this book and now that no matter how old you are or whatever your financial status is at the time - poker tournaments give you the opportunity to live your dreams. Thanks again.