The Rules of Poker: Essentials for Every Game [Hardcover]

Lou Krieger (Author), Sheree Bykofsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2006

In the exciting world of poker, arguments break out by the minute in card rooms across the country. There are scores of rules concerning fairness and etiquette, and they vary from place to place. There are some rules that are generally accepted, but sometimes card room managers and tournament directors just don't know them or fail to make their policies known. Typically, tempers flare and cards go flying. Finally, here's the solution.

THE RULES OF POKER comprehensively lays out all of the rules and provides, whenever possible, varying rules, with the authors' preferred rules first. Includes a thorough and easy-to-use index. Throughout the book are sidebars with anecdotes from dealers, players, and poker room staff around the world about fights that have broken out and how they were settled.

Other games and sports have official rules of etiquette, but until now, no such single book has been accepted in the world of poker. Through interviews, research and personal experience, with a dash of fun and a lot of authority, Lou Krieger and Sheree Bykofsky offer to the world of poker THE book that will settle poker arguments and allow players to concentrate on the business at hand--scooping up large sums of money.

Editorial Reviews

Review

One of the most important and powerful books ever for anyone who loves the game. -- Howard Schwartz, Casino City Times

Reading Lou Krieger's advice is like getting painting lessons from Rembrandt or being taught the violin by Stradivarius. -- Nolan Dalla, author of One of a Kind

The ultimate poker authority. At last poker has its route map, guidebook and highway code, all in one easy-to-use volume. -- Richard Sparks, author of Diary of a Mad Poker Player

We need a rulebook that is comprehensive, concise and interesting to read. I recommend that everyone follow it. -- Alan N. Schoonmaker, Ph.D., author of The Psychology of Poker

From the Back Cover

The Ultimate Argument Settler

This book holds the answer to every poker argument, standstill or face-off imaginable. Experts Lou Krieger and Sheree Bykofsky provide answers to hundreds of tough, temper-tempting questions like:

* What is the minimum raise in a no limit game?
* Can you bet and raise with a single chip?
* Can you cut a deal at the final table?
* Do players have the right to see the winning hand?
* What beats what in Omaha?
* What can and can't you say in tournaments and cash games?

And much more:

* Comprehensive rules for all the major games.
* An easy-to-use index--to save valuable playing time (if not lives).
* Information packed sidebars.
* Anecdotes from dealers, players, and poker room staff around the world about real-life arguments and how they were settled.

The Rules of Poker is the poker bible that will let you concentrate on what's really important--winning.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Lyle Stuart (December 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0818406607
• ISBN-13: 978-0818406607
• Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,461,057 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not clear enough, not basic enough, September 25, 2007

By 

Barnstormer - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rules of Poker: Essentials for Every Game (Hardcover)

Krieger and Bykofsy's book discusses tournament and poker room rules of poker, but they are not stated in a clear cut fashion. There are a lot of examples of applications of the rules, so if you are looking for a book to give you a fair understanding of how the rules should be applied, this is good, but because the rules are not presented clearly or in an order that is easy to follow, it has not been very usable during a poker game.

Also, while the rules are more for advanced players. There are no basic rules of poker here. It's all about tournament rules and casino games, such as what happens if you say "Raise" and only put in an underchip. As to whether a straight beats a flush, or even what a straight is, the book has no answer.

In the introduction, the authors even state: "This is not a poker instructional book, and we assume that you are not picking this up to learn the basics of play...Rather, we assume you know how to play.." Funny, you would think a poker rule book should be all about the very basics of play, for what are rules, if not the basic backbone of the game?

The Rules of Poker: The Essentials for Every Game does not even have the essentials of the most basic game of straight poker.

I have not found this book to be an authoritative answer to rules disputes. Also, there are no rules for the many different variations of poker often played in home games.

If you want a book of poker-room rules exercises, this is a fairly good book. If you want a book that clearly states authoritative poker rules when you need them, look elsewhere. Search "poker rules" for a selection of alternatives.

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential poker rules, July 6, 2010

By 

bensboy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rules of Poker: Essentials for Every Game (Hardcover)

If you are running a poker tournament or organising a 'home game' this book is excellent reference material. Whether learning the rules 'off by heart' or simply to dip into when there is a query during a game, this is book is well laid out and contains all the relevant rules and regulations.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, yes, yes, April 13, 2007

By 

Susan Gregg "author - angelsonyourshoulder.com" (Big Island, Hawaii USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rules of Poker: Essentials for Every Game (Hardcover)

We play often on Saturday night and this has stopped all the fuss and muss over the rules. I am not much of a rule person in my personal life but when you are playing poker 'you gotta' love those rules - especially when they help me win!!!

This book is so easy to follow it is great for beginner and long time players alike.

Thanks for making the rules of the game so simple!!