If Dad plays and reads -- a book can help his game

29 May 2008

By Howard Schwartz

If you know your father plays a little poker or likes to bet on a game or just enjoys reading about various games, it's a good bet that a thoughtful gift would be a book on the subject. With Father's Day approaching, here are a few suggestions and some rationale why certain titles might be right on target:

Getting Started in Hold'em by Ed Miller (206 pages, paperbound, $17.95). Here's a super beginner's book by one of the nation's top authors on the subject of hold'em poker. It includes sections on no-limit, limit and tournament play. This title is considered a top tutorial by those who know.

Ghosts at the Table by Des Wilson (342 pages, hardbound, $26). Wilson has penned stories about riverboat gamblers, cheaters and living legends of poker. Illustrated, indexed, from Hickok to Brunson to the biggest tournaments where millions are won, this is an enjoyable read.

How Professional Gamblers Beat the Pro Football Pointspread by J. R. Miller (125 pages, paperbound, $24.95). One of the great classics for anyone planning to bet the pro game in 2008, this one starts with the basics and progresses to more advanced material, including parlays, teasers, betting totals, key numbers, money management, power ratings and their importance.

Combinatorial Lottery Systems (Wheels) by Iliya Bluskov (301 pages, paperbound, $26.99) is a fascinating study of lottery combinations packed with charts and tables for construction of wheels and how to arrange numbers on your tickets.

The Unsinkable Titanic Thompson by Carlton Stowers (234 pages, paperbound, $19.95) is the biography of one of the greatest hustlers/gamblers of the 20th century. It's illustrated, indexed and packed with stories, hustles and colorful characters.

Craps 101 by Michael Skaff (114 pages, paperbound, $14.95). Dad might be fascinated with the game, but has trouble understanding all the bets, payoffs and the odds. This book, filled with colorful illustrations and easy to understand definitions, makes it fun and easy to belly up to the table at any casino.

Baccarat for the Clueless (A Beginner's Guide to Playing and Winning) by John May (144 pages, paperbound, $12). The title is in error more or less because this book contains good advanced material as well as info for the beginner and is intelligently written for every level player. If Dad wants to play James Bond, get him this book, which explains the exotic game and its fascinating history. It was first brought to Nevada in 1959 from Cuba.

No Limit Texas Hold'em (A Complete Course) by Angel Largay (271 pages, paperbound, $24.95). Possibly the "sleeper" of the decade so far, here Largay, a super teacher, has the basics, advanced strategies, mathematics, player analysis, pre- and post-flop strategies all between two covers, and the feedback on the book has been nothing less than phenomenal. This is a great value for the price and should make Dad a better player within weeks.