??full of sound thinking about how to approach the game?.informed by someone who?s been there and done it.? (PC Format, April 2005)

"....a readable introduction to all poker formats..." (Micro Mart, April 2006)

Poker is America?s national card game, and its popularity continues to grow. Nationwide, you can find a game in progress everywhere. If you want to play, you can find poker games on replicas of 19th century riverboats or on Native American tribal lands. You can play poker at home with the family or online with opponents from around the world. Like bowling and billiards before it, poker has moved out from under the seedier side of its roots and is flowering in the sunshine.

Maybe you?ve never played poker before and you don?t even know what a full house is. Poker For Dummies covers the basics. Or perhaps you?ve played for years, but you just don?t know how to win. This handy guide will help you walk away from the poker table with winnings, not lint, in your pockets. If you?re a poker expert, you still can benefit ? some of the suggestions may surprise you, and you can certainly learn from the anecdotes from professional players like T.J. Cloutier and Stu Unger.

Know what it takes to start winning hand after hand by exploring strategy; getting to know antes and betting structure; knowing your opponents, and understanding the odds. Poker For Dummies also covers the following topics and more:

• Poker games such as Seven?Card Stud, Omaha, and Texas Hold?em
• Setting up a game at home
• Playing in a casino: Do?s and don?ts
• Improving your play with Internet and video poker
• Deciphering poker sayings and slang
• Ten ways to read your opponent?s body language
• Playing in poker tournaments
• Money management and recordkeeping
• Knowing when and how to bluff

Poker looks like such a simple game. Anyone, it seems, can play it well ? but that?s far from the truth. Learning the rules can be quick work, but becoming a winning player takes considerably longer. Still, anyone willing to make the effort can become a good player. You can succeed in poker the way you succeed in life: by facing it squarely, getting up earlier than the next person, and working harder and smarter than the competition.

Foreword by Chris Moneymaker, 2003 World Series of Poker Champion.

Poker is America's national card game, and its popularity continues to grow. Nationwide, you can find a game in progress everywhere. If you want to play, you can find poker games on replicas of 19th century riverboats or on Native American tribal lands. You can play poker at home with the family or online with opponents from around the world. Like bowling and billiards before it, poker has moved out from under the seedier side of its roots and is flowering in the sunshine. Maybe you've never played poker before and you don't even know what a full house is. Poker For Dummies covers the basics. Or perhaps you've played for years, but you just don't know how to win. This handy guide will help you walk away from the poker table with winnings, not lint, in your pockets. If you're a poker expert, you still can benefit - some of the suggestions may surprise you, and you can certainly learn from the anecdotes from professional players like T.J. Cloutier and Stu Unger. Know what it takes to start winning hand after hand by exploring strategy; getting to know antes and betting structure; knowing your opponents, and understanding the odds.

Poker For Dummies also covers the following topics and more: * Poker games such as Seven-Card Stud, Omaha, and Texas Hold'em * Setting up a game at home * Playing in a casino: Do's and don'ts * Improving your play with Internet and video poker * Deciphering poker sayings and slang * Ten ways to read your opponent's body language * Playing in poker tournaments * Money management and recordkeeping * Knowing when and how to bluff Poker looks like such a simple game. Anyone, it seems, can play it well - but that's far from the truth. Learning the rules can be quick work, but becoming a winning player takes considerably longer. Still, anyone willing to make the effort can become a good player. You can succeed in poker the way you succeed in life: by facing it squarely, getting up earlier than the next person, and working harder and smarter than the competition. Foreword by Chris Moneymaker, 2003 World Series of Poker Champion.

Packed with expert tips on how to bluff successfully

Rake in the chips with this savvy guide to poker basics and beyond Whether you?re looking for an edge in a friendly weekly game or aiming for the championship in a local poker tournament, this friendly guide shows you step?by?step how to bet, bluff, and play your way to the top, from seven?card stud and high?low splits to Omaha and Texas Hold ?em.

Discover how to:

• Understand poker rules
• Play popular poker games
• Keep a "poker face"
• Read your opponents
• Participate in poker tournaments
• Make the most of video and Internet poker

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear?out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

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Richard Harroch is an attorney and avid poker player. Lou Krieger is the author of two guides to Texas Hold ?em, the most popular tournament poker game.

2006-04-16 Pretty good

First few chapters are pretty basic, especially if you know the basics of the game.

But some of the later chapters are worth reading. Will definitely save you money (more than what you will pay for the book!), but it won't make you a pro. Hard work and practice still required.