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David Apostolico
Machiavellian Poker Strategy
How to play like a prince and rule the poker table
$14.95
  (5.5)
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I like the concept of this book: using the classic works by Machiavelli as a guideline for proper poker play. The bad thing is that while I like some of the “Machiavellian” parts (p.70: “As a leader, it is preferable to be feared than loved. It is best to be feared and respected, but not hated.”), the actual strategic poker advice is mediocre at best. Lots of advice seems aimed at limit, yet in specific examples the author often discusses no-limit and this doesn’t make much sense. Lots of general advice that is useless without mentioning the exact situations / betting structures that would apply to this advice.
Some good things about the book:
· Decent advice on choosing the best seat versus a maniac. (pp. 44 & 45)
· Some nice “maxims”. (p. 130: Machiavelli said: “There is nothing more imprudent or more perilous to a captain than to wage war in winter.” History is full of examples of wars lost by stubborn leaders who chose to do battle in conditions not best suited for their armies. Do not engage an opponent in a battle over a pot if you do not have an advantage. That advantage can be having better cards, better position, or a perception that your opponent is vulnerable. However, if you cannot sense an advantage, do not enter the engagement. Why do battle with conditions that benefit your opponent?)
The fact is: I would have given the book a rating of at least a six, were it not for the fact that this book has the most dreadful piece of advice I have ever read. On page 14, the author recommends: “If you find a player calling bets all the way to the river and then mucking his losing hand, ask to see his cards. Most card rooms will allow you to see any hand that plays to a showdown. Even if you folded pre-flop, you have the right to ask to see any mucked hands.” Because of this section alone, I hope not a single player will take the advice in this book to heart – and therefore, I would not recommend it to anyone.*
* After putting up this review on my site, David actually contacted me, and acknowledged the bad etiquette in this specific passage. He said that the way it was put to print was not exactly the way he had intended it, so I am certain that any new prints of this book will have this passage changed.
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