Serious Poker [Paperback]

Daniel Kimberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 16, 2000

Serious Poker is an introduction to casino and cardroom poker, intended for everyone from complete poker novices to experienced players who want to take their game to the next level. It covers everything from the basics of strategy and cardroom rules and customs to more esoteric topics like tournament play, poker math, cheating, record keeping, and much more.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

When I started playing poker, I learned what I could by reading books, magazine articles, and internet messages. I also learned quite a bit by talking to people, and I took many lessons at the table. And there were many things I had to figure out for myself. So much of the information I needed, even if it was available, was hard to find or scattered across many sources. At the time there wasn't even a ready reference on the language of poker. So there was really nowhere to point the novice player, the weekend poker player looking to take the game more seriously.

As I was learning to play, I started compiling my Poker Dictionary, which remains available on the web, and I think is one of the more readable resources on poker language. I enjoyed writing the dictionary so much that I thought it might be fun to compile some even more detailed basic information for beginning poker players. And when I say, "basic information," I don't just mean which hands beat which, and how many cards go where. I'm also talking about some of the fundamental concepts of the game that serious poker players take seriously, and others may ignore completely. Serious Poker is my attempt to fill that niche. It covers basic strategy, but also provides a firm foundation for understanding poker at a deeper level. I think it's the best available introduction for anyone thinking of taking poker a little more seriously.

About the Author

I am an avid amateur poker player, and I also maintain a few useful poker sites, including Dan's Poker Page (a resource for serious poker players), as well as Dan's Poker Dictionary and the Poker Book Review Archive. By training, I'm a cognitive psychologist, although these days I'm as interested in brain function as in psychology. So when I'm not playing poker (most of the time, unfortunately), you can find me in the lab doing functional brain imaging, using a technique called BOLD fMRI. But my next book won't be on poker or brain function. When I'm not writing, or crunching MRI data, I like to tweak my web pages, relax with a good book, or hop in the car with my wife and hit the road.

Product Details

• Paperback: 318 pages
• Publisher: Dan Kimberg Books (November 16, 2000)
• ISBN-10: 0970378904
• ISBN-13: 978-0970378903
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,126,762 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent introduction, August 10, 2001

By 

"aguirreg" (Levitown, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serious Poker (Paperback)

I have often been drawn to the card rooms in the casinos, but I have never felt comfortable sitting down at the table -- the rules and etiquette of the game are daunting to the newbie.

Kimberg's book taught me the basics and made me feel at home in the card room. He covers *everything*, in a breezy, approachable text that is a pleasure to read. His sections on basic strategy are particularly well done.

I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to enjoy their time in the casino and maximize their opportunity for profit.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Beginner, October 29, 2003

By 

Brian Wilson (Herndon, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Serious Poker (Paperback)

This book is great for the beginner / inexperienced poker player. I was playing a lot of poker online (for free) and read this before my first trip to a live casino and it helped a great deal. It covers everything from poker room layout and etiquette (important if you don't want to tip off the predators) to of course strategy such as which hands to play from what position, playing the board, betting strategies etc.

It helped me double my money on my first trip playing live poker in a casino. Definately worth it.

3 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This guy is not a professional poker player, August 22, 2002

By 

RSB - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serious Poker (Paperback)

Daniel Kimberg says in the book that he is not a professional.

If you were 'serious' about something you would be a professional or at least attempt to be one. This guy is not a professional poker player and gives advice like a novice. If you can't make it you should not be writing books, especially not 'serious' ones.