Poker Strategy & Preparation Perfect for Novices

I’ve always shied away from poker at casinos, because it felt like luck played too much of a part in the outcome. I’m a Blackjack person myself – I understand it well enough to know how much strategy can affect your game in addition to luck. Poker, however, always seemed ruled more by luck than anything else, and yet people have made careers out of playing it. I’m planning a trip to Vegas, and I wanted to find information that might be helpful to someone who doesn’t really play poker, and I found this one to be pretty good.

This book is quite comprehensive, so I think it’s great for novices. It describes not just what to do during gameplay, but also how to prepare. It gives advice on become a more focused person generally so that, once you begin to play, you can use those skills to observe your opponents and keep an eye on the cards. The book also gives preparation suggestions, such as going to poker forums on the internet and finding a poker mentor, and also practicing online and in casinos. I particularly found it helpful that the book talks about casino etiquette. I’m not new to casinos, but I don’t go often, and it’s easy to forget the little things that can get you sniped at by the dealer or glared at by the pit boss. The book then goes into detail about what you can actually do during the game, plus strategies – bluffing, avoiding giving tells, observing tells in others, slow play, knowing when to raise/call/fold, etc. It even talks about the different types of poker players and how to play against them. Definitely worth checking out if you’re just getting into poker or are thinking about giving it a try.

3 people found this helpful

Poker made easy

We play poker week and I constantly found myself losing. I wanted to up the ante for our next game so I purchased this book. Let's just say things have changed and I'm no longer on the losing end. This book gave me the tips and strategies I need to feel confident in my game and finally win. My favorite part was the chapter about sizing up your opponents. I never realized how much of poker was really about reading the other player's tells. Great book overall.

3 people found this helpful

Poker Tips from the Ace

If you could sum up Poker: Poker Strategy in three words, what would they be?

The three words that I would use to sum up "Poker" would be:

Style
Competition
Win

Who was your favorite character and why?

As always the only two characters of this self-help book are Ace McCloud and Joshua Mackey. I like them both equally. Ace is a great teacher, and Joshua is great because he brings Ace's words to life.

Which scene was your favorite?

I believe my favorite part of this audio book on "Poker" is in Chapter 2 where Ace teaches you how to get siked up for a game. Each of these steps helps us prepare mentally to play a game of Poker. I know there are many people who play online Poker, so I believe these ideas can be used in real play or online. My favorites are #2 "Meditate Before a Game, #4 Speak Positive Affirmations, and #10 Become an Optimistic Player." I chose these 3 because they use Ace's most important lesson in life, and that is staying positive.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Honestly, I didn't laugh or cry while listening to this book. The book is all about teaching us about the game of Poker, so while we listened, we learned.

Any additional comments?

The only Poker I have ever played is on Club Pogo. When I play online, I play against the robots because I am afraid that real people will realize that I have no idea how to play, and they will laugh at me. This book has taught me some lessons.

1 person found this helpful

Basics of Learning to be a Good Poker Player

What made the experience of listening to Poker: Poker Strategy the most enjoyable?

The book presents ways to improve your poker game that you may have never thought of. Meditation is one of those things as is visualizing yourself winning and affirmations that you can win. I never would have thought of doing this, but it does get you in the right mind set when you actually sit down and play.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Poker: Poker Strategy?

I enjoyed the chapter on strategies for the different games. I will remember these things and use them when I play poker and hopefully win.

Which scene was your favorite?

I especially liked the chapter about tells. These are little signs of what your opponent is thinking and being able to foretell what they will do. I realized that I'm doing these things. Once I forced myself to stop, I started winning more. I thought, wow, I've been giving little indications of everything I do when I play to everyone at the table. I won't anymore and I can now identify them in other players.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Strategies that will Make Your Poker Game Sing

Any additional comments?

The book has a multitude of strategies for winning at poker and like the author says, some might sound a little silly, but they really do work. There is a chapter on how to find help to better your game through a mentor, guru and more and there is a listing of several great websites that will either give you information on how to play better or actually give you places to play on line so that you can practice. The book should help anyone to improve their game.

1 person found this helpful

Get Your Poker-Face On

I never really understood poker, but this book was a major revelation. I needed the playing strategies, all of 'em. I now understand how my own "tells" may be what betray me. On the flip side, I now have the tools with which to "read" the body language of other players.This book helped me understand the basic types of players and how to respond to them. I was also enlightened by the information on the winning hands and their probabilities, something I had never really thought about before.

As always, Joshua Mackey's superb narration made the book an easy listen

I may never be a professional poker player, but I am much better equipped now to enjoy the game in the future. I highly recommend this compact audio book on how to win at poker.

1 person found this helpful

Good advice on improving your poker game strategy.

Was able to pick up several tips on how to approach casino poker games as well as at home poker games. Mainly spoke on Texas Hold 'em Poker games, but did mention Hi - Lo Omaha and Stud poker as well. The narrator was easy to listen to as well.

Waste of money

This book Is useless, don’t waste your money. Gives no strategies, totally worthless do not buy

Fantastic title for poker players!!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, it has some really great and detailed sections in which it breaks downs ways one can improve their strategy while playing poker.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Poker: Poker Strategy?

I can't think of any.

What about Joshua Mackey’s performance did you like?

How excited he sounded throughout the story.

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

Facial expressions.

Any additional comments?

This book contains some very intuitive techniques to bring you to the top of the leader-boards! Very interesting facts and cool tips sprinkled all throughout this title that will help any novice or advanced poker player tighten up their game. I would highly recommend this title.

Buy it

Great resource. Unique ideas. Definitely worth the money. Ideas great for beginner or veteran players.

how to win at poker

I love to play poker, but it's limited to video poker, the occasional casual playing with friends for fun, and online games that are free (don't require money). My dad plays poker in casinos, however, and I know that requires a lot more strategy and such, especially since you're betting real money.

So I was more than happy to listen to this book, which not only gives strategies, but also talks about things like reading the body language of other players, which is very important in winning at poker. I have read books about poker before and those didn't cover that at all! So this was completely new to me.