Three Times is a Charm, Unless You are Already Charmed! A book review of a third-edition best seller

My life is truly charmed. I make my living by doing all sorts of things related to poker. Could it get any better than this? Even my recent travels to Wyoming and Idahohad a bit of a poker flair. I saw ranches with names like Poker Flats and High-Limit Hacienda. Somehow, I could just picture the cowboys loping by on their horses, looking for a good game. And I saw lots of bookstores, but none had poker books on the shelf. But being the charmed (or charming, I always get the two confused) one that I am, I was fortunate to get an advance copy of Card Player columnist Lee Jones' third edition of Winning Low-Limit Hold'em. I got a sneak preview of his new secrets that will make his already popular book an updated must-read for every poker neophyte.


The first two editions of this book are wonderful, and there are new sections and rewritten sections in the third edition that will be of huge interest and help to your game. While Lee's books are not designed for the highly experienced player, they are perfect for the low-limit specialist or the relative novice who's looking to move up in the ranks. Early on in the book, Jones says, "Perhaps the biggest difference between low- and high-limit games can be summed up in a single word: mistakes." From there, he goes on to point out vividly some of the many mistakes that the newer player makes that the more seasoned veteran does not. This is not to say that the higher-limit games are too tough. It is just that this book will point out some of the glaring errors that must be eliminated in order for you to be competitive in middle-limit games.

His new edition also contains large segments about online poker. This form of poker has brought literally hundreds of thousands of people into the game. Previously, these folks had nowhere to play. Up until very recently, little had been written about this topic, and Lee devotes a long chapter to online poker, its nuances, and the differences between live and online play. He covers in detail the ways to get started playing online, and some of its many advantages. These include the fast pace of the play and the ability of a player to play more than one game at a time (thus increasing his income potential). On the flip side, the human contact, interaction, and social nature of the game are aspects that are lacking. Certainly, online poker isn't for everyone; that's why they make chocolate and vanilla, and brick-and-mortar cardrooms will never become obsolete.


Jones also addresses the ever popular no-limit hold'em sit-and-go tournaments, and gives some very good advice about how to beat them. His mantra for the section is, "Patience is the key to sit-and-go success," and he repeats it over and over. Good advice can't be given often enough, in my opinion, and Lee nails it here. Having limited experience in these one-table freezeouts, I decided to play some after reading this chapter and was amazed at how many good pointers I had picked up. Winning one sit-and-go tournament will easily pay for the price of this book! Heeding his advice to wait out the opposition while they do battle enabled me to immediately make the money consistently. Jones also points out the importance of fold equity. He says, "Many players don't seem to understand this important concept; be sure that you do: It's much better to bet or raise than call." Of course, the reasoning behind this is obvious. By betting or raising, you can win without going further in the hand. And you needn't have the best hand. If you are a caller, you must have the best hand to win.


There are many great sections in this book, but my favorites are those in which fellow Card Player columnist Barry Tanenbaum's thoughts on certain areas of play are explained by Jones in his easy-to-read-and-understand manner. Lee and Barry shared many hours talking strategy and discussing topics. Jones acknowledges that Barry is one of the clearest and most articulate thinkers in poker today. Those exchanges led Lee to shorten his list of playable hands preflop and lean toward recommending a "raise or fold" strategy when you're the first one into the pot in middle or late position. Another "Barryism" was to remove words such as "probably" and "usually." Barry told him, "Words like that do me no good unless you tell me what the exceptions are." Since Lee conceded that those exceptions are really in the 5 percent range, he would stick with the suggestions of "do this or that," and let you the reader figure out as you go what to do those other times.


There are many great books out there. It would be nice if you could have them all. Of course, you can, but you don't really need them all. If you learn only one thing from each of the books you are able to acquire, you will have enhanced your poker knowledge greatly. You need to save only a few bets in a small game to pay for the book. Just don't be one of those book collectors who buys the book but eats the cover. Lee Jones' third edition is truly something to sink your teeth into and savor; be sure to read it. I can't think of anyone reading my column who wouldn't gain something by giving this book a shot. Class dismissed.


As always, please contact me with your poker-related questions, comments, and column ideas. Also, please go to www.cardplayercruises.com to learn about the final cruises of 2005 and the entire schedule for 2006.