Looking back at "Ace on the River" - Page 3 - Books and Publications

aboogie · 01-18-2012, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EightySix

Fascinating. Ace on the River is a book about the social aspects of playing live pro poker. If that's all it was meant to be, any decent journalist could gain insight into the social aspects of live poker by conducting some thorough interviews. He'd even be giving us multiple perspectives.

Barry G as the Miss Manners of pro poker is a bit of a waste. He's a gentleman but I'm left baffled if a book about the social aspects is so highly regarded. I think the book is over-rated and I would not sell it this short. Barry is very strong with psychology. That's worth a lot more than the social aspects of live poker. This is how Amazon.com markets Ace on the River:

"'Ace on the River' is no ordinary poker book. This is the first truly "advanced" guide aimed at improving your game. Written in an easy-to-read, bare bones conversational style and designed to help anyone interested in increasing their understanding of the game, this book is ideal for those new to the game or winning professionals. The fundamental philosophies presented go beyond the green felt and can be applied in all competitive ventures. While most poker books focus on basic rules and strategies, the book's advanced perspective addresses elements that effect both game play and the player."

What aha moments did you get from Ace on the River? Avoid leaks like sports betting? Exercise proper bankroll management? Be nice to people? Eat right? A good sex life or relationship can do wonders for your game? How has your game improved by reading this book? This advanced guide is aimed at improving your game. How did it pull that off?

Nobody should feel ripped off. The book is worth the money simply as a coffee table book. But how did it improve your game? Please be specific and go beyond simple common sense. I realize that Barry G is a polished gentleman and will talk to a whale like Andy Beal in a manner that makes losing more fun and bearable for the whale. I can even extrapolate that good people skills matter in business and in life. I just consider this simple common sense.

Lmao, so you dont like barryg....just say that!

Its like your angry that other people like it.

Anadrol 50 · 01-18-2012, 09:01 PM

I like this book immensely. Does anyone remember the hype on this book before it came out?? He had some other pros say how good it was and 2p2 was drooling for the book for months. Definitely the most anticipated poker book ever. Id love to see some of those old threads...

Lucypher · 01-19-2012, 02:05 PM

To Eighty Six:

IMO, AOTR is similar to Tommy Angelo's Elements of Poker. While there are good books that teach one HOW to PLAY POKER BETTER, that isn't what AOTR is really about.

AOTR and EOP are about HOW to BE A BETTER POKER PLAYER. Which is considerably different.

It is a good book with great advice that I get something more from every time I read it.

XMenCypher · 01-25-2012, 04:37 PM

AOTR is one of the best poker books ever written. The stories Barry tells and suggestions he gives come straight from the mind of a pro. The hands at the end of the book are so meticulously discussed that I really started to think more about a hand after his book. And his opinions on life of a poker player, money etc. really helped me look at poker from a different perspective.

BoerfSt · 02-03-2012, 09:57 AM

I bought AOTR the same day as Play poker like the pro's by PH. My first 2 poker books..
Guess which one I liked and did not end in the trash can ?

brownd86 · 03-12-2012, 06:11 AM

i finnaly found this book cheap as i do with all my poker books £7 result. love barry and stuff but is this book say, as inspirational as super system 2. i read that book and immediatly felt different and more educated at the table. im waiting for it to arrive from america so got upto a month to wait, i only play online and love da poker. my question is that the reviews on this book are very hit and miss. half say best book ever and i should learn a great deal, half say its barrys life story with a few tips. so will this book help improve my play? ps barry rocks the big game

the_spike · 03-12-2012, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dread13

Does anyone else feel that as they get older this book just becomes more and more brilliant?

No, not really. I think it's a little obvious, and overrated. I suppose if you're the sort of player for whom those ideas don't come naturally it could be a revelation. To me, most of those things are intuitively obvious.

That's just for me personally. I'm not saying it's not a good book. In fact I think it ages very well, for what it says, unlike many books.

the_spike · 03-12-2012, 10:39 PM

I just wanted to add a little more to what I wrote. I don't mean to offend anyone.

I guess I would say this. There are different types of people in the world. I grew up and became who I am by virtue of my parents and friends and experiences. I'm basically conservative by nature (not politically, I mean in terms of risk and money.) Some people are more carefree and love the thrill of the risk.

This latter group can potentially be better at games like poker than I - strictly in terms of decisions while they are playing their normal game. These are the types of people that would probably benefit most from AotR.

I basically do everything in the book already - it's just how I live (and how many people live.) So there's really very little there for people like me that I'm not already doing. To say that the book gets "more brilliant" with time is basically a Forrest Gump or Being There vibe, that doesn't work for me.

There is a definite need and audience for whom the book is great though.

the_spike · 03-12-2012, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoerfSt

I bought AOTR the same day as Play poker like the pro's by PH. My first 2 poker books..
Guess which one I liked and did not end in the trash can ?

Not much of a compliment there, my friend.

the_spike · 03-12-2012, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucypher

IMO, AOTR is similar to Tommy Angelo's Elements of Poker. While there are good books that teach one HOW to PLAY POKER BETTER, that isn't what AOTR is really about.

AOTR and EOP are about HOW to BE A BETTER POKER PLAYER. Which is considerably different.

Yet, EoP tunes into a different type of person, such as me.

POW · 03-12-2012, 11:06 PM

Been quite a few years since I last read it but I remember really appreciating it as lessons on tilting, game selection, life style, respect and etiquette in the game rather than an intense strategy book.

Also a really inspiring read that I found develops a good attitude towards poker and your game, still find myself routing for my opponents outs occasionally

Great book Barry, thx

ArtySmokes · 03-13-2012, 06:07 PM

AotR is an enjoyable book and it has a few nuggets of useful information. It also looks pretty. But there are far better books if you want to learn the game or improve your winrate. I don't think Barry intended it to compete with the various "coaching" books though. As a "good read" for a typical player though, it's all fine and dandy.

Honey Badger · 03-14-2012, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtySmokes

AotR is an enjoyable book and it has a few nuggets of useful information. It also looks pretty. But there are far better books if you want to learn the game or improve your winrate. I don't think Barry intended it to compete with the various "coaching" books though. As a "good read" for a typical player though, it's all fine and dandy.

It actually was started as a chapter in Doyle's book. It evolved into it's current form. It may be the most visually stunning poker book of all time. I can't even think of one to compare it to.

maxostoch · 03-14-2012, 09:54 PM

Nice book got it some months ago.