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Maryann Guberman has been a writer and editor with many gaming publications, including Sports Form, Card Player, Poker World, Player's Panorama and Systems and Methods. She also has written and edited numerous books on gambling.

Oct. 20, 2007

A Jug of Wine, A Loaf of Bread and ... A Good Poker Book?

While various pundits now predict the demise, or at least the leveling off, of poker's popularity, none of them appear to be thinking about the future of poker books. Where as 20 years ago a student could find perhaps a dozen books about the game, today the same researcher can find nearly 400 covering just hold'em. The announcements of an upcoming title have slowed and the shelf-life of a hot seller does seem to have shortened somewhat. A book you might find in a major chain this month will be gone in 30 days -- especially if it doesn't have a big name author. But there's one sure thing you can count on: A poker book is a great gift for yourself and for all your friends.

Which brings me to this point: In keeping with short-time tradition, both mine and other writers of all things, I will be preparing my poker Christmas list in print. Annually this becomes tougher, not just because of the plethora of titles but also because I want to choose books that will appeal to all reading preferences.

For instance, I prefer books with short sentences rather than those written in what I consider a somewhat pedantic essay style. Sentences that force you to return to the beginning to unravel all the phrases and clarifications between commas put me to sleep. My time is precious so if I am going to spend it reading, which I often do, I want to spend it with pleasant, easy-flowing verbiage, not the kind that reminds me of the Victorian literature of my college days or the high school demand to read Beowulf in the Old English dialect.

Also, I like poker books that provide insight beyond the game, where the lessons come from personal insight gained though both experience and education, books that touch on philosophy, inspiration and creativity.

But, when I buy a gift for the special ones in my life, I want that present to be something that suits their personal style and preference, which means I do read (but probably don't absorb as well as I should) as much as I can.

Then too, there's the question of age. Would recommending a 20-year old classic be out of line? No, I think not.

My Christmas gift list serves two purposes. It helps me decide who I'm going to give what, and it helps readers decide what might suit their friends' tastes.

I will wait until after Halloween to compose this list of mine because even though the shopping days till Christmas seem to get shorter as daylight hours do in fall, it's always best to buy what you can early. That leaves plenty of time to shop for yourself when everything goes on sale.

Meanwhile, with all due respect to Omar Khayyam, I'll be heading toward the nearest bough of a Joshua tree with my wine and bread, where I'll be reading my favorite poker book.