Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Killer Poker; Strategies and Tactics for Winning Play (4) by John Vorhaus. Even though this book is written in a very entertaining style, I only felt a moderate amount of the material was of real value. Much of the book is a lecture on play your best, stay off tilt, and review your play. But very little is specific enough to lead any reader in any direction. Also, strategies like distract your opponents by talking to them, yell at the football game, and make fake angry phone calls on your cell phone might have a little bit of value if you already play very well, but again I didn’t see much that would lead you towards that goal. In fact, you might discover that following advice like this might “worsify” your game.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Even though this book is written in a very entertaining style, I only felt a moderate amount of the material was of real value.

I felt this way towards "Inside the Poker Mind" by Feeney. It had a some nice material like "How am i doing, Who Cares" and "Tilt" but the overall material seemed to lack what i was looking for, guess you cant beat HEFAP [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] I would consider recommending it to anyone serious because some of the information provided could help some aspects of your game.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I only felt a moderate amount of the material was of real value. Much of the book is a lecture on play your best, stay off tilt, and review your play.

I personally felt there was value in this. I liked some of his "review your play" ideas.

But very little is specific enough to lead any reader in any direction.

True, there is very little real strategy advice. He does have some good ideas on identifying and attacking vulnerable opponents.

Also, strategies like distract your opponents . . . you might discover that following advice like this might “worsify” your game.

LOL. I've never been a big fan of image stuff like that and think you are probably right. Slighty off topic, but the first edition of Othmer's seven card stud book had one of the most ridiculous examples of image ever.

One thing I found odd was his recommended books list includes only one 2+2 book (TOP), yet it has 2 of McEvoy's books (Championship HE and Tournament Poker).

Overall, I think the book was worth more than the money I paid for it.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Hi Jim:

I do remember some of the silly image plays in the original version of Othmer's book, especially the plastic bannana that he can't in his shirt pocket.

Best wishes,
Mason

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

"but the overall material seemed to lack what i was looking for"

What were you looking for?

Also, if I can ask, what was your level of playing experience and education in the poker literature at the time you read it?

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I agree, it is worth the $11. You can read it in a night. I think the book would have gotten a higher rating if it was published by Two Plus two.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

you're getting kind of touchy in your retirement.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Hi Anadrol50:

You wrote:

I think the book would have gotten a higher rating if it was published by Two Plus two.

Well, let me put it to you this way. First, my reviews are extremely accurate. If they weren't, they wouldn't have the credibility that they happen to have.

Second, I was publishing reviews in the mid 1980s before Two Plus Two existed and before I had a book published. So what would you have said then?

Third, if I was you and I felt this way, I would have nothing to do with this site, and certainly wouldn't be posting on it.

Not only are my reviews accurate, they serve a purpose in steering our readers towards what's well worthwhile to read and study, and what's not. Of course, that doesn't mean that your opinion, which might be as good as mine, won't be different. But I and everyone associated with Two Plus Two strongly resent the accusation that there is something amiss in our integrity.

Best wishes,
Mason

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I agree completely. MM's reviews are about the best in the industry, and I'll tell you this much; he may review something and say its not very good, yet others really like it, but if he says it's excellent, it is, plain and simple, (except for Pokerfarce and Pokertruth, i really HATED that book). Only person CLOSE in credibility is Christensen, although I do think Christensen writes better, more in-depth reviews, overall.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I'm getting old and grouchy. But this time I was really just curious. btw, I know who you are snakey. Took a while, but not much gets past this ol' boy. So watch your p's and q's bud. [img]/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I thought the book was pretty much crap and I disagree with a lot of what he said, but one line really stuck with and I feel it made the book woth the purchase. At the end he says something to the extent of "Start playing killer poker now, we sometimes know what the right play is, but we don't make it. Never again play those two cards becasue you feel lucky. No excuses." Or something to that effect. I sometimes make the wrong play knowingly, like seeing the turn when you know you are beaten. And since I read that I have been a lot better about it.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

if I can ask, what was your level of playing experience and education in the poker literature at the time you read it?

Well i have been only studying hold em for a little over 2 months right now. Ive read WLLHE by Jones, HEP, HEFAP, TOP by S&M and i just finished youre book yesterday. Dont get me wrong, your book is excellent for an advance player who needs to fine tune his game and increase his BB/Hour, but at my stage right now (beginner) i was looking for some overall strategy. I know your book will become very valuable over my poker career.

To tell you the truth i should of followed youre advice about "How am i Doing, who cares" and "Tilt" last night. I started to get frustrated and went on serious tilt playing online 1/2 and ended up losing my deposit of $50. The worse thing about it was i just read that section yesterday and its like you were pointing a finger at me.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

ZMan,
I felt the same way you did when I first read the book. I liked the story parts about deciding when to move up in limits, and about "sprinkling holy water on his chips" but didn't find much else but the A-Q test useful and had trouble understanding things like the hand he describes semi-bluff raising with AJ to knock out a player between him and the pre-flop raising small-blind. I felt it was being looked at a little results oriented. That was 6 months ago... that said, I have now re-read it twice since and found so much more to make sense and found much of the information to be incredibly useful. And his examples of an "advanced" players thoughts, I can now see much more of the logic behind. I am by no means an advanced player and still play only in lower and lower-middle limits games, but after re-reading TOP, HPFAP and ITPM 2 or 3 times a piece and playing in B&M rooms, home games and online, I have found this book more and more valuable each time I read it. So with all of your books, store it away, play on and after some time pick it back up again and re-read it. I suggest this with all the books. Each time, I get something new on it, like another light on the Xmas tree is lit and hopefully, one day, i'll be able to light the star on the top.

As for Killer Poker, I'm reading it now and have liked what I've read so far, but I'm really early into it. I think it is valuable to drive home the point of being brutally honest on your self-evaluation and how he does it to himself helps to encourage readers to do it. I still have a lot to go in this book though so this is a very preliminary review.

Good luck

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I very much enjoyed John's book, Inside the Poker Mind.
I also enjoyed Mason's Essays vol.1 & 2. Haven't ordered 3, yet.
And, I also hated Poker Farce and Poker Truth. Terrible.
I'm currently reading Sklansky on Poker, and think it is very good. I'm surprised it hasn't been the subject of more talk, although I understand why it would take a back'seat to HEFAP.
I'm also trying to absorb Gambling Theory and Other Topics, but the math makes my head hurt!
I hope it is one of those instances that I'll read it again after a couple of years of playing experience, and be able to gain more from it.
Just thought I throw my 2cents into the mix. Cheers.

Lan Gooch

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Thanks for the feedback, ZMan. I've noticed over time that when a player doesn't get much out of my book it's usually because he read it too early in his poker education. (or perhaps is too advanced to get a lot out of any book) As a collection of assorted essays aimed at intermediate to more advanced players, it fits most easily among the books to be read after you've absorbed all the general "how to" books. Even then, as the other poster points out, lots of readers seem to get more out of it as they reread it later in their learning. I'll look forward to your reaction to it as you pick it up again down the road.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

Thanks, BigLick. Good to hear you're getting more and more out of it. I know some of the essays in it are useful to less experienced players, but quite a few are on topics that just happened to interest me at the time. So I dissected them in writing. So while _Inside the Poker Mind_ has a little something for most readers, I think it has the most for those with some decent experience and reading behind them.

Re: Sklansky on Poker
 

I'm currently reading Sklansky on Poker, and think it is very good.

I concur with this. I think Sklansky on Poker is a great book, and I'm surprised it doesn't get more talk. It is a change of pace from many of his usual writings (he even mentions this in the introduction), and it is certainly worth the price.

Re: Book Review: Killer Poker
 

I am sorry for inferring in any way that Mason's reviews are biased.

Re:..JF..
 

John its been some time since we spoke...Hope you still get much enjoyment out of the Sara Brightman CD.. My PC crashed and have lost your email address..
I must agree that your book is not for the novice and after many readings i still pick up ideas that i missed initially..Theres just too much to absorb in a few readings..I feel till your ready for at least 10-20 you`ll miss the critical concepts etc..
Any decent players library will definitely contain your book..Its truly unique and insiteful..

jim

Viva John Feeney
 

'Inside The Poker Mind' by John Feeney is an excellent book.

It is both well written and full of insightful poker thinking.

I am pleased that John Feeney responded to the criticism of his book in a detached, professional manner and asked the poster in question about the state of his poker understanding and his acquaintance with the poker literature out there.

I play a mean game and I am well acquainted with the poker literature. John Feeney has written a book that will help the game of any hold'em player in particular and any poker player in general (a poker player who can extrapolate Feeney's general poker ideas to his game).

'Inside the Poker Mind' is a book that will earn you money.

Disclaimer: I do not know John Feeney nor have any vested interest in the commercial success of his book. I do, however, have an obligation to the truth.

Re:..JF..
 

Hey, thanks Jim. Good to hear from you. I'll personal-message you here.

Re: Viva John Feeney
 

Al -- Thanks for the nice words! And I think you win the award for best post title so far this year. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]