Phil Hellmuth Book

[Mason Malmuth]

Here's my review:

Bringing Down the House (3) by Ben Mezrich. This is the story of how six students, who became known as the MIT Team, won several million dollars at blackjack in the 1990s by card counting and other aspects of advantage play. Although the story itself is fairly interesting, I don’t recommend this text as the author, a well known novelist, tries to make his story read like a novel. It seems like there was a countless number of four letter words, and I got tired of reading about dramatic meetings at the urinals in the mens bathroom. In addition, for those interested in learning about how to beat blackjack, there’s very little in the book that will help you. Perhaps people who know very little about gambling will enjoy this text, but from my perspective it’s little more than a puff piece.

[Smackdab]

Picked it up "Bringing Down the House" and had it read in 2 days. Was a fun read but don't look to get any more out of it than entertainment.

[mdlm]

I agree with Mason's review.

If you are looking for something to read on a plane to take your mind off the fact that blood clots are forming in your legs, then this is an ok book although the in-flight movie is cheaper.

However, if you want to learn about blackjack, blackjack teams, how smart people think, how to make money, how to manage, etc. you will be dumber after reading this book.

[chaos]

His Omaha book is pretty bad also

[Howard Burroughs]

Chaos,

I always felt the Omaha book was the best of their Championship books. What did you find so bad about it?

[flopdanutz]

I think Ultimate bet will put the book on the player points reward list. I will probably just purchase it through my player points if its not that many points (less than 4000 pts)

I usually read Phil's hand of the week, although I only saw maybe one or two insightful articles on no limit play such as the articles with howard lederer and layne flack. If I can even gain a little insight into NLHE and NL tournaments I think the book would be worth a read. Personally I am looking for a detailed explanation of how legitimate hands went down, why it occured the way it, the options the players hand and what would have likely happened if it was played differently. I hope the book is not self applauding.

I am glad that espn is now airing hands from NL tournaments

[chaos]

The form of Omaha I play is limit Omaha/8 so I can't accurately evaluate their recommendations for the other games.

I don't like the format of a transcribed conversation.

They do not seem to be able to stay on a single topic. When discussion limit Omaha high/low I do not need examples from Hold'em and pot limit Omaha high. They keep alternating giving examples from tournaments and cash games. Yet they never explain the differences in stategy for playing tournaments and ring games.

They contradict themselves. Some places they say never do this and then later they say it is ok to do it sometimes.

Occasionally I just disagree. For example I think AA24 ds is a stronger hand than AA23 ns. I seem to recall disagreeing with the ideas about high only hands and the value of being suited. But I would have to reread it to see exactly what they said.

I think this book would be very confusing to a beginner or intermediate player. And there are much better books available that explain the concepts clearly and accurately.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Chaos:

I haven't read the Cloutier/McEvoy Omaha book, but from your description it sounds like I should give it a look. I've stated it before and I'll state it again right here, "In my opinion, these guys should be ashamed of some of the books that they have put out." The problems you describe of not staying on subject and contradicting what was said a few pages earlier was very prevalent in their [Championship Hold 'em[/i] as well.

Best wishes,
Mason

[tapdog]

Extremely fun book to read. It's not a how-to book, it's more of an adventture story. Also, it's not written by one of the participants so it doesn't have bragging or ego tripping.

Since reading it I've noticed that casinos have done a lot to prevent blackjack teams. In some places, at high stakes tables they don't allow players to play until the end of the deck. I've been told that casinos have security people at the monitors keeping a count and watching for people who sit down when the count is good.

The book is worth reading.

[John Ho]

I wish Ted Forrest would write a strategy book.

I'd pay about $1,000 for that one. His hand of the week on Phil's site was the best ever. I've read that at least 10 times.

Phil's a good player but if he hadn't won the big one years ago few would talk about him. I'm wary of taking advice from a guy who IMO hasn't distinguished himself from many other top tourney pros beyond his superior speaking skills (the main reason people interview him and not others). He really is an excellent interview which is not easy to do.

Plus all he does is write bad beat stories these days. He fits the profile of a man who believes he has learned all he can and would win consistently if he didn't keep getting unlucky. But I'll still get the book because I'm almost certain there will be one nugget in there worth the price. He really does make some amazing plays sometimes.