Winning at Internet Poker For Dummies ® (For Dummies (Computer/Tech))

Rating:
Summary: Surprisingly Good for a "Dummies" Book
Review: As a budding online player, and working in the computer industry, I had heard some buzz surrounding this book. I was anxious to see it and managed snag an early review copy.

On the whole it is excellent.

Harlan and (especially) Derossi are fairly well-known insiders in the computer industry and are working on a next-generation poker site (I think it's shown in the book as a "Modern" table, and if that's what they're doing, it's very cool). This book is different from the other online books I've read in that it focuses exclusively on the differences between what they call "brick-and-mortar" poker rooms and those online.

Refreshingly, basic poker knowledge is assumed, you won't find even a sentence in here about what-hand-beats what. Although they make continual reference to "Poker for Dummies," to learn the basics, I think you're better off with Sklansky's "Theory of Poker," Jones's "Winning Low-Limit Hold 'Em," or Miller's "Small Stakes Hold 'Em."

Their section on judging a poker site for quality is great. The bit about online pitfalls and their piece about how to read Internet "tells" are both good. The single table tournament section is the best I've ever read on that topic specifically.

There is some mention in the book of Omaha, even less on Stud, but the book (like online players, I guess) clearly has a Hold 'Em bias.

What's a little strange is, aside from the chapter on single table tournaments, you will find very little general poker strategy. So if I have any bone to pick with this book it's that it's misnamed. It shouldn't be called "Winning at Internet Poker for Dummies," instead it should be called something like, "Nuances of Internet Poker for Everyone."

Don't buy this expecting to learn how to play poker (you won't). Do buy this if you're interested in gaining an extra edge in the online world that you might otherwise miss. (Which is to say, if you're playing online, you should read this.)

Rating:
Summary: Perfect if you're new to the Internet poker world...
Review: I just finished my first pass through "Winning at Internet Poker for Dummies", including choosing a site and playing a little bit by what they advise, and I've got to say: I'm really impressed.

I'm just starting to get into Internet poker and these guys did a fabulous job of outlining all the aspects of choosing a site and depositing money and they drilled on stuff like how to read your opponents online as well as finding Internet matches with what they call "positive expectation". Their single table tournament section is AWESOME and believe it or not I actually won the very first one I played in, just by playing exactly the way they said (okay, so maybe I got a lucky river draw at the end, but who cares?). Could it get any easier? I've already more than paid for my book by the bonuses they helped me find and the tournament win was extra icing on the cake. Believe me, if I can win using this book, you can for sure! Absolutely worth the buy...it'll dramatically improve your game! You could be a poker winner for life...how cool would that be?

Rating:
Summary: All the online tips & tricks without the Poker 101
Review: I've played in home games for over 20 years and just a little bit in casinos (I don't really like the idea of paying a rake, tipping a dealer and tipping a cocktail waitress - I also prefer to eat my buddies' free food). But lately I'm toying around with playing online (I STILL don't like that rake idea) and was looking for a book that would essentially tell me everything about online poker without giving me some ridiculous Poker 101 lesson. Man did I ever get that in spades. Harlan and Derossi are clearly hardcore poker guys who're also computer geeks.

Their checklist on what to do on disconnection is great and they spend a long time drilling on idiosyncrasies of the online world . Their sections on strategy for single table tournaments, head's-up techniques and short handed play are excellent.

The only thing I completely disagree with them on is they seem to have a real beef with freeroll tournaments (they essentially think they're a waste of time), but everything else they talk about I'm cool with.

I just happened to be in the bookstore as they were putting this book out for the first time and bought it on a whim along with the Hilger book that I'd already picked up. I was sorta skeptical and more than a little ashamed that it said "Dummies" (is that REALLY a good marketing strategy for a book?); but after looking 'em both over I have to say that even though this one is half the price, it's about four times as valuable as the other.

The great thing is they didn't try to re-teach me poker theory. Their philosophy is all the poker stuff you know from RL (real life) applies here, but there are lots of wrinkles to be aware of: A player with Internet playing savvy will beat the exact same player that doesn't have it.

They refer a lot to "Poker for Dummies," a book I've never read. What I have read is all of Sklansky's Hold 'Em books, and this one seems to fit right along with them just fine.

I didn't consider myself a "dummy" even before I bought this, but I'm even less of one now.