Poker: Bets, Bluffs, and Bad Beats [Hardcover]

A. Alvarez (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

A smoke-filled room. The clink of chips breaking the silence of furious concentration. The occasional muttering of "check," "raise," and "fold," as staggering amounts are wagered on a simple hand of five cards. In this fascinating book, acclaimed writer A. Alvarez narrates the history of poker-its most amazing stories, unforgettable players, and incredible hands. From the first great Las Vegas poker marathon, in which Nick the Greek played Johnny Moss for five months straight, to the more recent World Series of Poker, Alvarez captures a subculture rich with legend. His lively text is combined with a colorful array of poker-inspired art, advertisements, movie stills, and photos to create an entertaining ode to the pastime that is not so much a game of cards as a way of life.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the lush tradition of its leisure books by Barnaby Conrad (Absinthe, The Cigar, The Martini), Chronicle Books offers this coffee-table companion to poker by New Yorker writer, poet, and card shark Alvarez. The author, an Englishman with a taste for risk and things American, claims safely that he is "perhaps the only published poet ever to participate in the World Series of Poker." Alvarez has sat more than once at the table of poker's heavies that meets each May in Las Vegas, an experience he covered in The Biggest Game in Town (o.p.). This handsomely illustrated work is a mixture of social history and wry personal tribute to this psychological art, from poker's first published reference (to cheating) in 1844 through tales of the game's legends such as "Texas Dolly" Bronson, "Puggy" Pearson, "Amarillo Slim," and the most famous of all players, Wild Bill Hickok, whose death in a South Dakota poker game in 1876 gave us the expression "Dead Man's Hand" (two aces and two eights). This charming book won't help you lose any less money, but it will make your weekly game seem part of a grand American tradition. Recommended for poker enthusiasts and larger sports and games collections. Nathan Ward, "Library Journal"
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A perfect introduction for beginners and a nostalgic romp for those already addicted to the game." -- Observer

“A gossipy, anecdotal, none-too-technical amble through its history and high points, with loads of good stories.” -- Literary Review

“No one writes better about poker than Alvarez.” -- Evening Standard

“Written with a master’s skill...He uses words like a consummate old pro..." -- Big Issue

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811827518
• ISBN-13: 978-0811827515
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,852,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nifty addition to any poker enthusiast's library, October 13, 2003

By 

Sibelius (Palo Alto, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Poker: Bets, Bluffs, and Bad Beats (Hardcover)

Cool book to peruse on a rainy afternoon for those who fancy themselves as poker enthusiasts. While the book provides no insight or tips on game strategy - keep in mind that that's not what this book is for. Rather, it delves into other topics such as the history of the game, the colorful personalities, game lore and historical/memorable bad beats and monster calls. The other great highlight of this book are the numerous illustrations pulled from a few centuries worth of poker art found in advertising, book covers, etc.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars pleasant surprise, January 27, 2002

By 

P. Karlin "boiledpeas" (Sherman Oaks, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poker: Bets, Bluffs, and Bad Beats (Hardcover)

Bought it for a friend...cheated...and read it before giving it. What at first appears to be a coffee table picture book is actually a well written, informative and lively account of various poker facts and stories. If you love poker you'll definitely enjoy this book

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book but missing something..., May 25, 2009

By 

Harley Dude (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Poker: Bets, Bluffs, and Bad Beats (Hardcover)

Alvarez is a great writer and the history of poker detailed in the book is very interesting; I enjoy any story from poker's hay-days. The only problem I had was with the missing text between pages 39-40 where he quotes Jennings Perry about tells. It would be great if someone could post the missing text.