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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.

Nov 17, 2007

All I Want for Christmas ...

I've already done three-quarters of my Christmas shopping. Some of my purchases will go into the Toys for Tots bins as soon as the Marine Corps donation sites appear to be up and running. I know I was a bit early this year, starting well before Columbus Day, but there were sales, and some neat toys and I had the extra cash in hand. This is the 60th year for a fantastic program which tries to make sure no child goes without a Christmas gift. That's a tall order, and last year only half of the estimated 13 million kids in poverty benefited from the program. If you have an extra five or ten bucks this year, pick a present for a kid you'll ever meet. And if you can't remember what a little one might like, make a cash donation to the program. You can get all the information you need at toysfortots2007.com.

As Martha (Stewart) might say, Toys for Tots -- it's a good thing.

Then when youÔve anonymously made a child happy, make a friend ecstatic by providing a book or piece of software or video that can teach him or her how to play poker. This is always a good gift for someone because poker is that kind of game that requires on-going education. Having noted that, however, I'm not going to recommend items for people who have been playing for years. No, my suggestions will be for players with little or not live poker experience because I truly believe one needs to learn how to play a game properly before he can refine the game to suit his own personality. This is not a sales piece so it won't include a list of ten or twelve. It's just my picks for the best gifts you can offer.

Let's start with something for everyone, something that will help create a well-rounded player. For the less experienced individual, the high school and college student, and the person who one day will help revoke the Unlawful Internet Gaming Act because they are digitally oriented and want to play online, I suggest World Class Poker with T.J. Cloutier, produced by Masque Software. At twenty-five bucks, this is the bargain of the season. It isn't just for hold'em players. It includes draw, stud and Omaha (plus the 8 or better versions). It's for tournament or ring games. It's for beginners and seasoned players. Comprised of present opponents the software also lets the computer players reset their tactics according to your play (and you can do instant replay to see who was bluffing). Plus, in addition keeping your stats, the software pops up with (video) advice straight from T.J.

Next on my pick of best-bets for this season is Sam O'Connor's How to Dominate $1 and $2 No Limit Hold'em. Quite a mouthful, that title, yes, but so apropos to the abundance of information contained in the 407 pages. Instead of chapters, Sam uses discussions and that's just what you get, discussions not just about what you should do in situations but also why. And the why gets punctuated by explanations of what goes into the decision like a written pathway between your brain your opponent's brain. His book shows each move almost like a domino effect where one action results from another action which happened because of another action and where your reaction happens because it's a logical cause and effect. Instead of hard and fast rules (do this if you are here so this happens although that could happen), you get situational advice and in the end, you get a complete course in how to hustle poker.

My third gift book hasn't caught on with the general public, possibly because those in-the-know think the author hasn't given away any real secrets. But, Farha on Omaha by Sam Farha is a nice piece of work for the person who has tried and failed at this confusing game. I don't know what kind of reputation Sammy has in the world of poker but I do know we've seen his face at many a final tournament table and this year he won that prestigious event at the World Series of Poker that most pros claim is the definitive answer to the question who's the best poker player in the world (HORSE). I don't think it matters much because this book is a primer and a few steps beyond that and it's written by someone who plays and prefers this game over hold'em. After a quick read, I can say he doesn't give any bad advice, anything wrong advice, just advice gained from his studies of people and poker. I would think, though, that if you read this book and then meet Farha at the table, you might well be able to beat him.

My fourth suggestion for a great gift is Poker Face 2 by Ulvis Alberts. Now this is a bit pricey at $274 but it's a limited edition (only 2000 were printed and there won't be any reprints) and if you go to Gambler's Book Shop (www.gamblersbook.com) for your copy, you'll get one that's autographed. This is not a poker book. It's an artist's view of poker through a camera lens and it is as good as work done by artists such as Annie Leibovitz and Ansel Adams only the subject matter is definitely different and thus negates any comparison. If you know anyone who has a passion for poker, has played against any of the famous players or just wants to look at some really good photography, spring for the money and get this one.

And finally, a book that isn't about poker but is a super gift for folks who like to roam around the country visiting casinos, playing poker or any other game. This one is Steve Bourie's American Casino Guide and it doesn't just tell you where you can play in the U.S. and Canada, but also it has a ton (that's a hack's euphemism used because we didn't actually count them) of coupons in the back that are worth about a grand.

So there you have it. All you need for Christmas is something poker and at least one toy for one tot.