Book Reviews

Title: Eat Professional Poker Players Alive!
Author: Frank Wiese
Publisher: Just Fold Enterprises Inc.
(Copyright 2009)
Price: US $24.95
Pages: 304
Book Review by: John Golledge

As anyone who has played No Limit Texas Hold'em in one of the many modern-day poker rooms can attest, the game is played differently these days. The evolved version is often referred to as "No Fold'em Hold'em", where folks continue to adhere to the poor Hold'em player's lament, "Any two cards can win!" In Eat Professional Poker Players Alive! author Frank Wiese provides elementary strategies for the novice, intermediate, and expert Hold'em player that will allow them to consistently beat rivals who play these games.

Wiese, himself a Chicago-based poker professional, has contributed articles to numerous poker magazines as well as to various poker newsgroups. After some introductory remarks, Eat Professional Poker Players Alive! moves on to describe the fundamentals of the game, including the very elementary, but necessary, mathematical knowledge on how to compute one's odds. This book is divided into various strategies pertaining to fish, moving on to barracuda, and through to the shark. In general, this is one of the best introductory treatments of this material I have read.

In the middle section Wiese manages to cover a sizable number of topics in a fairly short span- and he does it accurately and clearly. Of special note is the writer's treatment of a concept he calls "Medium Ball", a strategy that provides a workable approach for dealing with "small ball" players and most experienced players alike. In addition to Medium Ball, Wiese also covers the playing of hands, with consideration given to each round of betting, position, deception, how to play various hands, the check-raise, free cards, and a host of other important topics. Most subject matter that requires elaboration is covered, very clearly and well, as, later in the text, Wiese provides answers regarding some of the more frequently visited poker topics. He expounds clearly on the nuances of bluffing strategies, the transition of moving from online to playing live, table image, bankroll considerations, endorses a great Sit-And-Go strategy, provides a useful glossary and concludes with some practical recommendations of where to continue with study of the game.

This is a must-have book from an experienced cash game veteran, poker columnist, and tournament strategist. It is an excellent tool for anyone who is truly serious about elevating his or her game to the next level. In the course of 304 pages Wiese unveils a brand new strategy that will show you how you can take it to the pros and beat them at our favorite game. This book covers many great aspects of the game and yet does not limit itself just to Hold'em - Eat Professional Poker Players Alive! also includes strategies on all your other favorite poker games: Omaha, Razz, Stud, and many more! This book is as good an introduction to winning play at No Limit Texas Hold'em as I have seen.

Even though the book is not without flaws, there remain many thousands of players in card clubs all over the world who could save themselves a great deal of money each year by purchasing this tome and utilizing it as a guidebook for refining their at-table strategies. Frank Wiese has produced a book that is certain to prove a worthwhile investment of time and money for poker players of all skill levels, having explored ample material in a variety of innovative ways. Even the absolute newcomer - an aspiring player who has never played before - will have the potential to become a very dangerous individual at a poker table after reading this well written volume.

John Golledge