Customer Reviews

Professional Poker: The Essential Guide to Playing for a Living

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I stumbled across the author's website and read the rave reviews by some big poker names so I bought a copy. I was still a little worried because I had never heard a thing about Mark Blade before. Now that I've read the book, here's my reaction. It absolutely exceeded my most hopeful expectations. It's packed with useful info for any poker player, not just pro wannabes. There are a bunch of clever techniques on how to always stay mentally sharp while you play and not let bad beats affect you. Everyone can use these. There are some playing strategy tables that I've never seen before and I've read a lot of poker books. One table about card combinations turns something that is very tricky mathematically into something that I can definitely use with some practice. I was considering taking a shot at the WSOP this year and I think this table could really help my chances if I decide to. The only negative reaction you might have is if you think that this book will teach you every single thing about playing the game, such as starting hands. It gives a lot of advanced tips on some things but it's not exactly a `how to play holdem' book. But it really teaches all the things that those other books don't teach you like picking the right games or tables or if you should play in tournaments or not and which ones. There's a super advanced course on bankrolls that is a real eye opener. I could go on and on about all the other things covered. I just can't imagine that anyone who is into poker won't be into this book.

This book is an excellent example of the market working to meet the needs of the customer as more and more people are considering giving up their day jobs to become professional poker players. It's hard to argue with some of the financial numbers. Word of Prahlad Friedman's deeds as Spirit Rock on ultimatebet.com have dazzled many into wishing they could play full-time. The glamour of constructing your own life is self-evident. You make your own hours, you have no boss, and you work at a game you love. Heck, even the course of study is enjoyable as many of the poker texts are highly entertaining. Many of us salivate at the thought of leading the type of life we see guys like Gus Hanson lead.

Our author, Mark Blades, a former valedictorian who opted for a career in the card room, is a voice of sobriety when it comes to the issue of "quitting your day job." He is a professional who has excelled at the game and continues to do so. Here, he provides us with sage advice. Not making it is a very real possibility and Blades has run across more than his share of bust outs while making the big bucks. In these pages, he examines every iota of what being a pro is and how you'll know if you're ready (if you'll ever be). He isn't afraid to share with readers that if they're don't meet certain standards and conditions, they shouldn't even bother.

Blades has a lot of important things to say. He speaks both to the online and brick & mortar player. Of course, the lighter rake and the fact that one does not have to tip provide the internet with an advantage over actual casinos. However, the games in a casino can be much easier. The 2/4 game at the Tropicana is nowhere near as difficult as the ones you'll find at fulltilt.com. I really appreciated Blades' comment about the micro limits, and how no one should play there with the goal of making money. You go there to get better so you can move up. It'd be nice if the guy who called your raises with 5/9 offsuit got what was coming to him, but, when the fellow snaps your Aces it's sometimes hard to look at poker as one long session. Given what I've read in "Professional Poker," I can honestly say that'll I'll be purchasing his future release, "The Mental Game." There's no question that this guy has thought deeply about poker's intangibles, and has an enlightened view. Mark Blades puts the entire "turning pro" question into the proper perspective.

First of all nobody read the LyingThief's post. I have nothing against criticism but he gives no informtion to back his thoughts up. All he says is that if you are experienced you shouldn't read this. I find that rather foolish, I've heard many of the biggest names, Barry Greenstein, Dan Harrington, Howard Lederer, etc. constantly read poker books (much of which I'm sure they already know) but its great to look at things from a different point of view. Anyway, Mark Blade goes over in detail what you need to do to play for a living. His bankroll and money management sections I've never seen written in such depth. Teaches you how to come up with plan if you are going to do this for a living. Instead of just getting a few thousand and moving to vegas to go on a run. Its much more detailed. After you've developed a good strategy on how to win at poker you need to get this book so you can learn to make money in poker. Thats what the differnece is about htis book just because you knwo how to win at poker doesn't mean you know how to make money at poker. If Doyle Brusnon isn't your uncle and annie duke not your mom's tea buddy then you need to get this to learn how to make money in poker.

I bought this book about 3 months ago. And it is definatly a must have for any poker player who is serious about making poker a profession. The book itself doesn't really dicuss on poker stradegys, but more on insist of a professional poker player. It starts with a chapter theme called "So... You want to quit your day job?" Which is a great slap in the face for everyone. I have read the book many times over, and has improved not only my game... but also my money management techniques.
I recommend this book to people who are already above-average poker players, because some of the topics are advanced. I'm currently a semi-pro living in Japan, making about $15-20k a month. I'm going to step up when I get back to the states. This book has greatly increased my chances for success!

As a long time recreational and professional hopeful this book seemed a logical step if it lived up to the title. I was not disappointed. There is information here that is found nowhere else in as much detail that is absolutely crucial to consider if you want to play for a living. Although I consider myself a highly competent player one of the questions that I have pondered for a long time is "Should I quit my day job" has finally been answered to my complete satisfaction by Mark Blade. One of my good friends actually did quit his day job and jumped into full-time poker but lasted only eight months before blowing through a mid five-figure bankroll plus an additional borrowed eight thousand. I gave him a copy of this book and later talked with him about the bankroll and game size decisions he had made during his "shot" and he said that if he had had this book two years ago it could have "saved his [poker] life..." ( He went back to work and has not played much poker since.) Buy the book, read the book if you have any aspirations of playing for a living. Can't recommend it enough.

If this book was a starting poker hand, it would be pocket aces.

Blade's "Essential Guide to Playing for a Living" is just that. I publish a book on recreational gambling that is straightforward with people and does not perpetuate the myths that have been costing people money at casinos for forever. Just the chapters on "How Much Money Do You Need?" and "Can You Control Wins & Losses Through Money Management?" make the book more than worth the price of admission. If you fail to plan, then you are planning to fail is what this boils down to, but instead of some Boy Scout platitudes about being prepared, Blade gives very detailed and reasoned instructions on how and why you should do what he recommends.

The book does focus on limit cash games, but if that's where the money is--not the celebrity, but the consistent money--then who am I to complain that the book doesn't go into a lot of details on the currently popular no-limit games and tournaments? What do you think Doyle Brunson and other poker celebrities used to do before the no-limit format, the WSOP and the WPT got to be so big?

You can lose with pocket aces though, and Blade does get a little too self-promotional at times, but his comments on how to constructively deal with bad days, weeks and months do give good perspective on how to keep yourself going mentally through the tough times. If you've ever played for a living, you know that you need every mental edge you can get during a streak of bad luck, and I appreciated the insights that this author offers.

So if you want to give a poker career a shot, at least this book prepares you for some of the non-card playing technical aspects of the game, like bankroll, as well addressing the personal, career, mental and physical stamina issues that other books don't cover as thoroughly.

Okay, a review is well...an opinion. And there seem to be a lot of pros and cons about this book. One reviewer even suggested that one of the author's friends had written a review. I wonder now, perhaps THAT reviewer is one of the author's enemies? :)

Come now, let's forget all about that, and consider this question: "What will this book do for my Poker playing?" The answer is simple: It will teach you the absolutely most important aspect in poker playing, that of discipline. Oooh I can hear you already "Discipline? What, I have to meditate or something?" Nope. I'm talking about "know when to (Texas) hold 'em, and know when to run." That's it. If you can master this one important aspect, you will be playing Poker for PROFIT. This book will teach you, or at the very least, point you onto that RICH path.

Happy playing

Anyone wondering about the possibility of playing poker for a living should get this book. For those like me who are working at a boring but decent paying job, it gives a complete picture of what you are giving up and the lifestyle you are going to and what you need to know to have a
chance at being successful, should you decide to make poker your career.

I'm not much of a reader, but I enjoyed reading this one and it went relatively fast. The book itself is well organized and very easy to read and digest. I think it's full of practical advice if one is serious about making a living playing poker.

I'm looking forward to reading his other books, especially "The Mental Game".

I read it from cover to cover rather fast, trying to get to enlightning info. Ofcourse there was a lot of Very helpful info. But essential is not the word I would use. Most of the book refers to higher limit play per hour, and being honest with youself about your hour rate of winnings. Since most of the newbies play no-limit, he just says things like our bankroll and winnings are harder to gauge.

Also he is VERY stringent in what he wants you to follow as a guide for playing, bankroll and other things. If you dont follow these "Guidelines" he is washing his hands of you. I do know that most players on the tour are struggling due to other outside "gambling or other vices" so telling us to stay clear of those is great advice but who really doesnt know that? Again its good info and I think all aspiring pros should read it for some insight and it will help. But be forewarned its not NO-Limit player specific.

This book was recommended to me a couple years ago by a poker pro friend of mine when I was considering taking the leap. Two things happened: 1. I decided to put my plans on hold for 6 months while I digested, and prepared myself to follow Blade's advice in this book (especially related to bankroll). And 2. I eventually started playing poker professionally and am now making a decent living as a pro online (not rolling in it, but paying the bills). And yes, by and large, this life is what I hoped it would be.

Some of the criticism that I've read here is about Blade's bankroll recommendations, which are quite conservative, but definitely more detailed and thoughtful than the casual recommendation of 300 big bets, which you'll hear from every casual advice-giver out there. It was very upsetting when I read this, since I had put together what I thought had been a sufficient bankroll. Not according to Blade, and without going into details, I experienced how good his advice was.

His advice is also really solid about when to make the leap. A little sobering, perhaps, but useful.

Really, my only gripe with the book was its tone, which bordered on the ridiculous at times. He keeps making little parenthetical jokes and asides that are irritating, distracting, or just patronizing and made me take him less seriously. This was a big enough issue that I just can't give it a full endorsement, but for anyone who is considering going pro, this is still a must read. My only warning is that it may change your mind about making the leap. It's a tougher thing to do than you might think.