Total Poker

Total Poker came as a real surprise. Anyone would normally want to digest on the next how-to poker book but I got this instead. Anyway, was amazed how this book managed to provide such a complete coverage of poker. It simply blends poker and life together and good for light reading.

David Spanier is the author of this book. It got reprinted again and again several years later after the first. Such was the popularity of the book. It was published back in 1977 and this explains the reason why the author mentioned about 5 card draw quite exhaustively. You see, 5 card draw and any stud poker were the famous type of poker back then.




The details on the type of poker that gets explained here is not the main reason the book get its good reputation. David Spanier attempts to cover every aspect of poker here. This ranges from a simple chapter named 'Bluff' to 'presidential poker' to 'odds'.

At the second last chapter, he gave an account of what compulsive gambling are quoting studies made in the past. He goes on to add that compulsive gamblers are subconsciously players who would want to lose their money. He also elaborated most players lies in the fine line between compulsive gambling and compulsive winning.

The man himself is one with great enthusiasm. You will definitely find it here. His views are so poignantly expressed it leaves an impression on you. Any intermediary player should get a hand on this book. It will definitely open your eyes a bit more wider about poker.

Total Poker was one of many books David Spanier authored. The others include; The Gambler's Pocket Book (1980), Easy Money: Inside the Gambler's Mind (1987), All Right, Okay, You Win: Inside Las Vegas (1992).