Synopses & Reviews
In
Poker Nation, Andy Bellin takes readers on a fun and mesmerizing journey into the obsessive world of professional poker, where "the only thing stranger than a poker player is the guy sitting next to him."
It's a world that has its own lexicon: Bellin reveals what it means to "put" somebody on a hand; what "flop," "kicker," and "river" cards are; and why it's good to have "the nuts." He unveils what goes on in the illegal "poker clubs" found in every major city in the country, as well as in Las Vegas, where the annual World Series of Poker takes place.
Bellin brings to full life the colorful personalities and skewed psyches of the players, the odd rites and traditions of the game, the dreamers, hustlers, eccentrics, and hucksters that are all part of this strange subculture.
Review
"Bellins love for the game is contagious, and Poker Nation is a sure winner." Time Out New York
Synopsis
"Poker Nation is a travelogue to the quirky world of competitive poker, an exploration of poker obsession and addiction (not necessarily the same thing) and a primer on mathematics, poker lingo and technique. Entertaining and accessible." --USA Today
Journalist and poker fanatic Andy Bellin takes readers on a raucous journey into the shut-up-and-deal world of professional poker. From basement games to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, you'll look over his shoulder as he learns to count cards, read a legendary player's body language, hang in there when the chips are down, and take his beatings like a man. Even if you don't know the difference between a flop and a river card, Bellin keeps you in the game with his portraits of the colorful players, dreamers, hustlers, and eccentrics who populate this strange subculture. Along with learning what goes on behind the scenes in illegal poker clubs, you'll get great advice on how to play Texas Hold'em, today's game of choice for big-money players.
--Peter Alson, author of Confessions of an Ivy League Bookie
Synopsis
In
Poker Nation, Andy Bellin takes readers on a fun and mesmerizing journey into the obsessive world of professional poker, where "the only thing stranger than a poker player is the guy sitting next to him." It's a world that has its own lexicon: Bellin reveals what it means to "put" somebody on a hand; what "flop," "kicker," and "river" cards are; and why it's good to have "the nuts." He unveils what goes on in the illegal "poker clubs" found in every major city in the country, as well as in Las Vegas, where the annual World Series of Poker takes place.
Bellin brings to full life the colorful personalities and skewed psyches of the players, the odd rites and traditions of the game, the dreamers, hustlers, eccentrics, and hucksters that are all part of this strange subculture that has never before been revealed in such detail.
Synopsis
Journalist and poker fanatic Andy Bellin takes readers on a raucous journey into the shut-up-and-deal world of professional poker. From basement games to the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, you'll look over his shoulder as he learns to count cards, read a legendary player's body language, hang in there when the chips are down, and take his beatings like a man. Even if you don't know the difference between a flop and a river card, Bellin keeps you in the game with his portraits of the colorful players, dreamers, hustlers, and eccentrics who populate this strange subculture. Along with learning what goes on behind the scenes in illegal poker clubs, you'll get great advice on how to play Texas Hold'em, today's game of choice for big-money players.
About the Author
On his way to a master's degree in astrophysics, Andy Bellin made the fatal mistake of falling in love with poker. Leaving graduate school at age twenty-two, he has played semipro poker for ten years. His writing has appeared in such publications as Esquire, Details and Maxim, and he is an editor at the Paris Review. Bellin lives in New York City, where there are no fewer than four underground poker clubs within a mile of his apartment. You can find him at one on almost any given night.