Review
This book typifies the precise insight most players have sought for years. I have recommended Harrington in the past and will continue, however I have found a “new favorite poker book” and gladly will promote its purchase to members at PokerSchoolOnline (the largest online poker school). –Al Spath – Dean, PokerSchoolOnline
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3 comments ↓
I was in the process of reading another poker book when this one arrived in today’s mail. A quick glance made it clear that “One Hand at a Time” should be read first.
The book is organized in four sections, one written by each of the three authors and a fourth in which each gives his analysis of a hand that had been played by Matthew Hilger. I think this organization is great in that it lets the reader vicariously enter the mind of each player and experience thinking about hands with the style of that player, then the different playing styles are brought into (sometimes) stark contrast in the final section where each of the three gives his take on a Hilger hand.
It is tempting to compare this book with Gus Hansen’s recent book, the “Hand by Hand” books of Neil Myers, Johnny Chan’s (with Mark Karowe) account of the playing of various hands, or others of the same type. I have read several books of hand descriptions and have learned from them all.
However, “One Hand at a Time” stands out because of the collaboration, and the organization. Each hand description is organized in sections titled:
..Setup – giving the tourney type, buyin, info on other players, etc.
..Pre-Flop – Describes the preflop action and thinking.
..Flop – Describes the flop action and thinking.
..Turn – Describes the turn action and thinking.
..River – Describes the river action and thinking.
..Outcome – Describes in a single sentence the outcome of the hand.
….Actually this section does not exist — BUT IT SHOULD!!!!
Immediately following the title of each hand section the pot size is given, making it much easier to follow the action than many books of this type in which you have to keep track of the pot size yourself. Others writing books of this sort – or those reprinting such existing books – would be well advised to adapt to this format. The graphic depicting the table is superior to those you’ll see in most books, making it easier to focus on the logic rather than having to keep re-deciphering the table layout. Most of the hands described were successful for the author though some bad beats and questionable decisions are included. I didn’t attempt to tabulate the win-loss ratio though I’d expect these players to win many more hands than they lose – my own record in successful vs. unsuccessful tournaments suggests that should be the case.
An index would have been helpful and I hope the authors and publisher will view this as a necessity for the upcoming Volume II. One index I would like to see would be based on the type of hands (i.e. “Top two pair with flush draw on the board”).
I’ve come to believe that anything Matthew Hilger, the publisher, is involved in is to be respected. This volume only reinforces that belief.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone willing to take the time to read it carefully and think about the hands. Seeing the logic explained so coherently will certainly improve your tournament play. I’d also recommend for those who do purchase the book that they read it with notepad in hand and that as they progress through the book they create their own indexes of the type I mentioned above. Read it to learn, create the index to turn it into a valuable reference.
I just finished this book up last week…first thought is what an easy read. The book really moves through and organizes everything well.
Rizen and Pearljammer are a good contrast since Rizen is a looser player while Pearljammer seemingly makes some impossible laydowns. The best part of this book is that it goes through the thought processes that true pros go through during a hand. It really helps you out when you’re thinking through a hand in a tournament.
I thoroughly enjoyed the organization of the breakdown on the thought processes. It shows you what they were thinking during the setup, pre-flop, flop, turn, and river individually. It also updates the pot size accordingly, which most books I have read in the past do not.
“One hand at a Time” was a great read, very informative, and actually has improved my tournament play already. I would highly recommend adding it to your collection as soon as possible.
Any online player is familiar with these 3 great players & has probably already ordered this excellent book. It is chock full of the thought processes that are used in almost all situations that might arrive in a poker tournament. You aren’t just presented with theories and hand charts, but with the real “nuts and bolts” of how to think through the situations that most often occur and are puzzling to even advanced players. John “PearlJammer” Turner’s section is the best part of this book, but you will learn plenty from all the authors.
If you are a brick and mortar player make sure you buy this book.
This is Required Reading & should be a part of any Poker Library.
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