Vorhaus writes in a peculiar and interesting way, like he was talking to the reader, even taking some times to ask questions or suggest reflections. He writes in an easy-to-read way, sometimes even using common slangs.

In this book, the author does not talk much about bankroll management, and how to choose your cash game table (like he did in the first book). He focuses his writing on profiling the players, sit-and-go strategy, heads-up play, cash games pitfalls, and multi-table tournaments and satellites.

In the first section – The Mind Game – he briefly discusses poker psychology, and why lots of uneducated people lose money on the game. The best part is where he describes the codes he uses to profile online players, according to their actions. For example, WCWC would be someone who “Will Call With Cheese” – the “calling stations”.

Part 2 deals with Sit-And-Gos. He talks about strategy, and emphasize the “truths” of these tables, like “raises look like aces to most players”, and “patience is precious when chips are cheap”. It’s a great read.

In the third part, he goes to big tournaments, and describes early, middle and late strategy. From this section comes one of the best phrases in the book: No limit Texas hold’em has been described as “hours of boredom punctuated by moments of pure terror”.

Part 4 is the Cash Game section, where he talks about the risks and benefits of this kind of poker.

In the last part, he addresses more specific topics, like helping software, poker addiction, the virtual money craziness, and other stuff.

And as he writes on part 5:

God grant me the serenity
to fold the flops I don’t hit,
courage to bet the flops I do hit,
and wisdom to know the difference.

CHAPTERS

• Foreword
• Introduction: The Blessing and the Curse

1. The Mind Game
2. Sitngos
3. Tournaments
4. Cash Games
5. Part V

• Outroduction
• Appendix A: Random Access
• Appendix B: Information Overlord
• Glossary

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Phil Gordon, poker pro, ex-host of “Celebrity Poker Showdown” tv-show, is becoming a best seller in poker books. “Poker: The Real Deal” is his first work, designed with the poker beginner in mind.

It is actually a fun read, with lots of valuable information for the poker newbie or beginner. In fact, even the online poker expert who has not played a lot of live poker will find interesting stuff on this book, like best poker rooms, best tournaments, and a whole chapter about the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Although it’s directed to new players, the book covers some basic concepts on poker mathematics in an easy-to-read way.

In Chapter One, he talks about his nine favorite poker movies, including the most famous one, “Rounders”, where Matt Damon plays Mike McDermott, a law student with outstanding reading abilities, making him a great poker player.

Chapter Three has some good newbie strategy tips, like starting hands, position, and the basics.

In Chapter Six, he talks about the advantages of online play, and how to choose your internet games. As expected, he talks a lot about his favorite room “Full Tilt Poker“, where he plays online.

Chapter Ten has final table strategy, with some great tips, that can be also used in sit’n'go tournaments.

In the last chapter, he simulates a WSOP tournament, which final table has you (the reader), Phil Ivey and Phil Hellmuth Jr. The final decision to make is in heads-up against Hellmuth, would you call his raise?

CHAPTERS

• A Brief History of Poker
• The Basics
• The First Day of School
• The Home Game
• How to Think Like a Poker Player
• Online Poker
• The Cardroom
• Movin’ on Up
• “The Cadillac of Poker Games”
• The Final Table
• Play Poker, Quit Work and Sleep Till Noon!
• The World Series of Poker.

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