The Bookworm Gambler’s Digest: Poker Nation

A truly gripping book filled with our favorite card game. If you love poker, this is a must-read for you.

Andy Bellin has written a book that could easily become the most cherished read of everyone who loves gambling. He gives us a glimpse into the lives of poker winners and takes us on a tour of illegal US poker rooms. He is a master of description and has talent in making situations even tenser than in real life. Pick up this book, but be prepared: you won’t be able to put in down so easily.

• Illegal poker rooms
• Shady characters
• Poker seeps from every word

Bellin is a semi-pro poker player who has had access to many games that are more underground in nature than others. This book dives completely and utterly into the world of poker. If it’s connected to poker, rest assured, it will be in the book. He makes it his mission to mention everything that could be interesting for someone who loves poker, and he succeeds. He talks about famous characters in the industry, like the first poker champion Doyle Brunson, and devotes a whole section to Benny Binion, who basically invented the concept of tournament poker.

Who are Sal the Bookie and Dicky Horvath?

The writer mentions everyone worth knowing in this area of gambling and everyone who was a star in
gambling news, but now comes the really intriguing part. There are some real-life characters, of whom we know next to nothing about (except for the stories they are players in.) Who is Dr. Liam or “Korean Rich”? Bellin sets the scene with awesome anecdotes about these people, and not knowing who they really are makes his story even better. Whil reading the book, you’ll notice that with each page read, you’ll be wanting more and more. It’s impossible to put down.

Although at the beginning, there is a short section of poker guidelines, this is not an instructional manual. Far from it. The only reason why these appear at the beginning is to provide those who know nothing about poker with some kind of guidance. It is helpful, I must admit. Bellin takes in upon himself to talk not only about commonly used strategies, but to incorporate them with truly grasping events. He is a genius when it comes to doing this. He doesn’t censor himself when it comes to discussing cheaters and the darker side of the game and its players. He’s simply not afraid to say what he thinks and his style of writing is refreshing.

Dry theory magically becomes cool

“Probability, Statistics and Religion.” Sounds… boring, doesn’t it? Well, this is a chapter’s name in the book. When I first saw, I sighed within and thought, “God this is going to be tedious.” But it wasn’t. See, the way Bellin manages to explain these theories makes us want to hear more about them. Who cares about theories about probability? I do! And YOU do, too. Believe me. The way Bellin explains to us through clever stories why the casino or mobile casino will always make money is simple and straightforward… and so compelling you’ll instantly want to become a pro in such theories. Even the book’s end leave us hanging and wondering what will happen… wishing that is was so much longer so we can keep reading it.

So, if you want to read about colorful and shady poker characters and feel like you’ve learnt everything there is to know about poker, go to the store and buy this book. Read it once, read it twice and get sucked in by the happenings and the tournaments. Learn about the people who made this industry, inventors and winners whose lives evolved around the most popular card game that ever existed. See how these unknown characters bended the flow of cards to their will and take a peek into some illegal underground gaming rooms that will make you feel fear and wonder at the same time. Don’t miss out on such a great novel.