Rating: Summary: If you're new to home poker, you need this book! Review: I am not exactly new to home poker, but even I got a LOT from this book. First and foremost, are the many different versions of draw, stud, and community card games in the book. We play many, many different games, but there were at least a dozen new games I got out of this book. The great thing is, for a lot of games he describes, he also "plays" sample hands and describes strategy for each of the "players." He also shares some stories of playing these games. Standing out in my memory is an entertaining story of a game of "night baseball" he once played with two monster hands going for a huge pot. Other great features of the book are a poker dictionary, poker etiquette, and other things you need to know to play or host a game. And the whole book is fun--you can tell the writer has a lot of love for the game. You will have fun reading the book, you will probably have more fun playing, and you will probably play better too!
Rating: Summary: Terrific, relaxed version for serious amateurs Review: I bought this book as a resource and reference for some of my rule-challenging poker pals, but it turned out to be much more than that. The stories that Wolpin tells are laugh out loud funny, and he provides alot of basic information on the rules of Poker and variations on the game.
Rating: Summary: Great for Home Poker Players Review: I found this book informative & entertaining. It has a wealth of games (some I'd heard of, some I hadn't). The beginning parts of the book involve the basics of playing poker (ie. what beats what, how to bet, etc.) -- so anyone who's been playing for a while won't get much out of it. However, I found his list of games, their descriptions, and the sample hands to very clearly define and describe each game. Also, many of Wolpin's anecdotes are very funny.I have to take issue with him in his derisive description of Texas Hold'em. He derides the game as being uninteresting with not enough wild-card, gimmicks, etc. But as far as the type of poker he's talking about, that is, home players in friendly games, hold'em is certianly not a favorite.
Rating: Summary: This book is for a target poker-playing audience. Review: If you don't play small-money dealer's choice poker, then don't buy this book. If you do, then you won't find a better book on the shelf. This book will give your home game a shot in the arm. This man knows his home games better than anybody who's written a book about it.
Rating: Summary: This book is for a target poker-playing audience. Review: If you don't play small-money dealer's choice poker, then don't buy this book. If you do, then you won't find a better book on the shelf. This book will give your home game a shot in the arm. This man knows his home games better than anybody who's written a book about it.
Rating: Summary: Very disappointing - a reference for "garbage" poker. Review: If you get bored with straight stud poker or feel like Hold 'Em is too much action this is a book for you. It's kind of like canned music for those "fans" that get bored at the ballpark by simply watching the baseball game - they have to add something to main event which never seems to be enough. However, if you and/or your friends are addicted to these endless variations of poker and want to know the rules (since this is what you'll spend most of your time doing - going over the rules), this is an excellent review of every wild game you can think of. Perhaps this should be re-titled as "The rules to garbage poker according to Wolpen."
Rating: Summary: Buy this book (for your poker buddies) Review: This book has a wealth of information on low stakes poker variations, but little on how to win. The rules are a little subjective for "according to Hoyle", especially if you've been playing a while. If you need something to spice up your low stakes game or are constantly being confused about the variations your partners are springing on you, this book is fine. But I would steer clear, and buy "Thurs. Night Poker" by Steiner instead. It will help your game infinitely more. "The Rules of Neighborhood Poker" is basic enough that I would give it as a gift to a poker buddy, knowing that it would add nothing to his game except his readiness to play.
Rating: Summary: Buy this book (for your poker buddies) Review: This book has a wealth of information on low stakes poker variations, but little on how to win. The rules are a little subjective for "according to Hoyle", especially if you've been playing a while. If you need something to spice up your low stakes game or are constantly being confused about the variations your partners are springing on you, this book is fine. But I would steer clear, and buy "Thurs. Night Poker" by Steiner instead. It will help your game infinitely more. "The Rules of Neighborhood Poker" is basic enough that I would give it as a gift to a poker buddy, knowing that it would add nothing to his game except his readiness to play.
Rating: Summary: Love It! Review: This book is great for the beginner who wants to have poker night at their house. It is the poker bible on Saturday nights at my house. We use it and love it.
Rating: Summary: Not for the serious player, but pretty good for most of us! Review: This is a great book for recreational players who are more interested in comraderie and smoking cigars than winning money. It provides good advice for hosting and setting up games and it provides a lot of good games and variations to help spice up the weekly game. I've always had problems coming up with new games and learned a lot from this book. This is also a good book for new player who wants to get into a regular group and is intimidated by regular players who seem to know everything about the game . There's a lot to learn. If you regularly play with the likes of Teddy KGB or that dude in the blue eyeglasses in Vegas, then this book isn't for you. But if you're just starting out and want to learn, this is a good source of valuable information.
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