Customer Reviews

Poker Wisdom of a Champion

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Previously released as "According to Doyle," this book collects a number of Brunson's columns for some now-defunct gambling magazines.

This is certainly not the book to teach anyone the basics of poker strategy, nor to introduce anyone to modern poker culture. It's not supposed to be. But Brunson's stories are a perfect introduction to the culture and ethos of poker as it was when Brunson was a young Texas road gambler. The columns are entertaining, basically popcorn reading (I suspect some or all of them were told rather than written). They aren't engineered for self-promotion, and although some could be taken as mildly moralizing, they're not designed to change anyone's life. They're just the stories that Doyle Brunson has to tell. I thought they were a lot of fun when I was starting out in poker, and I still pull the book off my shelf now and then. I'm very happy to see this new edition in print, because I would recommend it to new players as a useful book in shaping their attitudes towards the game.

The only thing I found disappointing about this new edition is that it doesn't appear to contain any new material. I don't know that I can fault anyone for that, but it would have been nice to have either some truly new material or at least some newly recovered vintage Brunson to add. Maybe I've just gotten too used to DVD extras.

I've read at least a half dozen of the top poker theory books, and I learned more from this one book than from all of the others. The wisdom Brunson espouses in this book is simple, yet it is so profound that it will change the way you view yourself and your opponents at the poker table.

The book is mainly a collection of articles Brunson has written over the years for various poker magazines. However, each one contains nuggest of poker genius (mostly related to No Limit Texas Hold 'Em)in plain simple English that authors like Sklansky and Malmuth have complicated with mathematical theories. Brunson is a simple man and he tells simple stories. The bottom line: poker is a game of people and if you understand the people you play with, then your decision making process is simplifed. The cards are secondary (although he does admit that with the influx of new players in the last few years, even he has to have good hands to make a move!). Even if you don't appreciate his wisdom, the stories he tells about the Texas roadgames of yesteryear are worth the purchase price. Somebody needs to make a movie of this guy's life!

A very interesting, quick read. Mostly a collection of articles Doyle has written over the years for various publications. The book delivers advice, but is not really a strategy guide. Some interesting stories from one of the all-time greats.

For those looking for a "how to" poker book showing you what hands to play pre-flop, odds, strategic plays, etc., will be disappointed in this book. Poker Wisdom is a fairly accurate title: this book contains poker stories from Brunson's past each with a "moral" as applied to poker. Some of the titles for the chapters are "Pride and Poker", "Honor in Gambling", "Gambling with Girls". Each essay is about 2-5 pages long. Some of the stories are fun to hear, sort of like listening to a poker campfire tale and others are entirely forgetable. Overall an enteraining read for poker players, but if you're looking for serious poker instruction this is not the book to buy.

First off, this book is over 20 years old. This is a repackaging and as far as I can tell, there isn't any new material. In other words, there is zero mention of the poker stars of today. You'll probably only recognize one other character in his book (Amarillo Slim). If you don't mind that, then keep reading...

This book is a collection of articles that Doyle wrote about his early days playing poker in Texas. There are some funny and interesting stories about himself and some of the wacky people he met playing poker. There isn't a whole lot of poker wisdom. There are a few moral-of-the-story type lines, but not many. Also, if you're buying this book to learn about poker strategy, don't. There isn't much at all. You're much better off with Phil Gordon's Little Green Book.

So for interesting anecdotes from a poker great, this book is good. But there isn't much else to it.

He is a champion in poker and life. Doyle has seen some interesting games in his long career of poker travels. This well written book highligts 40 plus stories he turned into great poker lessons. If you are maxed out on all your theory books, this is a nice break from your studies. Alot of great points and tips in this book, I read it non-stop in about 2+ hours. Organized, funny, honest, & classic, you should buy it.

[...]

Each story is just a few pages so you can read it in little bites if you wish. Will give you even more respect for the road Brunson had to travel as a "criminal" gambler.

This book is a collection of anecdotes told by Doyle Brunson. I really like his candid stories and the insight into Dolye's character. While not meant to teach you any specific poker strategies, this book will tell you about players' emotional characteristics and how they affect their games. I intend to re-read this book several times over the years.

Don't buy this book if you are looking for mysterious insights that will improve your Hold Em' game--but if you want to learn something about what makes Doyle Bruson tick it is a fascinating read. Brunson does impart some tips on play, but he then goes on to tell a "war story" to illustrate his point, and it is these glimpses into his life that are so entertaining.
The book is short, just over 200 pages, and there is a lot of blank space in those pages. I read the book cover to cover in a couple of hours of frequently interruped reading, but with that said, it is well worth the price.

A clear, practical guide which helps the reader with many complex issues. My initial response was, "Oh, of course." because these truths seem obvious. But discovering them the hard way could prove expensive. A valuable acquisition to any library.