Customer Reviews

Sklansky on Poker: Including a Special Section on Tournament Play, and Sklansky on Razz

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

 

 

The only purpose of buying this is for the razz section. If you have read a number of other Sklansky books, a good portion of the advice given on poker in general you have seen before.

There is extremely little published about razz that is available. This book, by far, is the most complete, even though the basic text is only about 60 pages after you subtract the problems and Q&A section. The discussion is more detailed and specific than what you'll read in the Michael Craig's FTP book interview with Ted Forrest and Huck Seed. It gives instruction on why and when to raise instead of call, as well as whether you should bet or check on each street.

Even so, there are a number of things to would improve this text. More statistics on the chances of making a hand under certain conditions would help re-enforce the unsupported advice. For example, it would be helpful to players to understand that if they start with a three cards 8 or below, there's less than 50% chance of making their hand even when the cards are moderately favorable. The reason you look to muck on third street with three cards 8 or below if a lot of the cards you need are exposed is that this completion rate can drop to under 40% to make your hand. That puts you at a significant disadvantage to players whose cards are live.

Information could be given on how to read hands. Yes, it is easier than in other games, but knowing the % chance of someone showing four cards 7 or below actually having a 7 high hand on sixth street is of value. A number of beginning players are unaware that the third highest card showing tells all of the other players what the best hand they could possibily have.

While razz isn't the most difficult game to play, I believe that a full volume could be written. An good text would encourage more people to try it. With the increasing popularity of HORSE, many more people are looking to improve their razz game and would be delighted to have a more detailed source of information.

The previous reviewer, Venice10, is right on target with a couple of statements. It IS surprising that there aren't some tables in the book which compare razz hands, according to the cards that are dead. Considering how math-based Sklansky's work is, it's strange that there aren't at least a couple of appendices at the end of the book for the more studious players. Still, this book is enough in itself to make you a winning razz player. In H.O.R.S.E. tournaments, this is a big advantage because you can pick up chips during the razz portion of the tournament from the clueless players. I like the Questions and Answers format, because it makes it easy for me to flashcard each concept and study it before bedtime every night. Like Venice10, I would like to see more good information on razz, but I don't think that'll happen since it's the Hold'em books that sell. Maybe it's best this way. One thing is for sure: if you understand the concepts in the book, you will make money at razz. The variance isn't too bad in this game, if you choose low-ante cash games. Today, there are a number of those to choose from online. As for razz tournaments, solid play will get you the money in the end. Sklansky's books will keep you from bleeding off money, unlike those players who don't read up on razz. And that's about 95% of them, I think.

With writings on razz few and far between, this book is a must read for anyone who plays HORSE. With the abundance of weak players across the internet and world in razz, you cost yourself money by not buying this book.
The other ideas on holdem are concise and to the point, usually 3-4 pages a topic are great review especially if youve read theory of poker by david sklansky.

I bought this book strictly for the Razz section of the book. I wasn't disappointed. Before the book I only had a vague inkling of how to play the game. After reading the section I feel like I have made a vast improvement and cut a few years of the learning curve. I still have a long way to go, but at least I have a solid foundation to stand on now. From here on out it just learning the nuances of the game and playing a few thousand hands to really get a feel for the game.

I would like to play HORSE events in the future, and this is my first step.

this is a collection of David Sklansky essays with a section on Razz.

If you play me in Razz or HORSE do not buy this book.

I've probably read (and own) most of David Sklansky's poker books. I have never failed to learn something of value (usually a lot of value) from reading and studying one of his books. I recommend this one.