'Swimming With the Devilfish'

I've just read a fascinating poker book. It won't tell you how to play 6-5 suited or how to win the World Series, but it will explain the mindset of successful poker players, their trials and tribulations, and what drives them on despite horrendous odds. For those who love the game or aspire to reach the top, it's essential reading. The author, Des Wilson, has gone behind the scenes and spoken to many of the leading players in Ireland and the UK. They in turn have been very frank, and their stories, for the most part, are incredible. If you thought these superstars and TV celebrities had it made, think again. If you envied their glamorous jet-setter lifestyle and thought they were all footloose and fancy-free, read on.

The book starts with Dave Ulliott's story, and what a story it is - literally a Hollywood rags-to-riches tale. When Dave first appeared on the scene at Derby, I was already a regular there. He reminded me of me when I first started to play. As soon as I sat down, the table would fill up and there would be a queue to join, and so it was with Dave, except that he wasn't as wet behind the ears as I was. Nevertheless, he liked to ram and jam, and, of course, we all liked to sit there with the nuts waiting for him. At the time, he hardly ever played tournaments, and was totally clueless and unsuccessful when he did. These days when we see him on television running rings around his opponents and in complete command of the table, it's hard to remember his low starting point. What a turnaround!

From there, Des goes on to explore what he calls "the usual suspects." They are the other players with whom the Devilfish has done battle on this side of the pond. Dave Colclough, Simon "Aces" Trumper, Julian Gardner, Derek Baxter, Xuyen "Bad Girl" Pham, Mickey Wernick, Jeff Duval, Donnacha O'Dea, Carlo Citrone, Liam Flood, Willie Tann, John Shipley, yours truly, and, of course, the Hendon Mob are just a few of the star-studded cast who have told their stories. Most of you will be familiar with these names; if you've not actually played with them in tournaments or cash games, you will have either seen them on TV or read about their numerous victories, so you may think you know them well already, but do you, really? Now, obviously, I can give you only a little taste of what's in the book, but did you know that Dave Moseley offered to jump from ledge to ledge in a Vegas hotel for $20,000, and that Paul Maxfield wanted to take the bet? They both had been holed up for a couple of days in Dave's room playing backgammon. Everywhere was littered with the debris from room service, and the air was thick with cigarette smoke. Now, maybe it was the lack of sleep and fresh air that got to them both, but the would-be long jumper was losing and was looking for a get-out, and the winner (Paul) was on a roll, and that's what set the scene for that ridiculous proposition. Let me tell you, those two boys were not joking. I know, because I was there and had to threaten them with hotel security to try to get some sense into them! Then when I read Roy "The Boy" Brindley's tale of woe, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Why? Well, let's just say that I'm guilty of the same offence, and what's really worrisome is that I've repeated the same mistake more than once. Can you beat that one, Roy? It did cheer me up, though, to realise that I wasn't the only plonker doing penance online.

What I found particularly interesting in the book (apart from the stories, that is) was how some players approach the game. Obviously, we're all very different, but we all want to win; however, some of us are much more disciplined and focused, and as a consequence, much more successful. When you read the book and see how some of us have lost our bankrolls while under the influence of alcohol or because we've gone on mega-tilt, while others have adopted a much more professional approach, you may reappraise your views on winning players. And if you're really smart, you might even learn from their mistakes!

Swimming With the Devilfish - Under the Surface of Professional Poker, by Des Wilson, is published by MacMillan; £10.99