Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide

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The long anticipated 'Ace on the River' is one of the most interesting and unique poker books ever written.

Barry Greenstein has been playing professional poker for about thirty years, and has been a regular in the biggest games in the world for more than a decade, with legends such as Doyle Brunson and Chip Reese. This text was originally intended to be a chapter in the sequel to Brunson's 'Super System,' but when the first draft ran over 100 pages, the project turned into its own book.

The book is primarily targetted toward high-limit professional poker players, which is a very limited audience. Lower and middle limit players will find a lot of the material useful and interesting, but significant portions won't apply to them. Casual home game and beginning players will find a fascinating look into the mind and world of high-stakes poker players, but should definitely look elsewhere for instruction and strategy tips.

Part I, "The Poker World," is fascinating but not especially useful material. The first thirty pages is a memoir of Greenstein's life in poker. Next are chapters on the different kinds of people in "The Poker Society," "How to Behave in the Poker Society," and a chapter on the superstitions many have.

Part II, "Philosophy," contains miscellaneous ideas, advice, and discussion mostly relevant to professional poker players. There is little technical or strategic material, focusing more on psychology and avoiding common pitfalls. One chapter discusses the dangers of getting too involved in sports betting (a ubiquitous part of the poker world), one on integrity, others on attitude, the psychology of gambling, family, and even sexuality.

Part III, "Advanced Play," is the meat of the book, with chapters on math and game theory (how valuable they are and how they are used), internet poker, tournaments, specific strategic advice, and some no-limit tournament hands. These last two are the best in the book and extremely valuable, although not as long or detailed as I had hoped. Both go through several different hands, discussing the options at each point and what types of things the player should be considering, as well as how to analyze and think about hands after the fact.

Throughout the book, he addresses interesting philosophical questions like, "Who is the best player in the world (and how could that be determined)?" and "What really separates the very best players from everyone else?"

I had seen several glowing reviews from other top players who had advanced copies before I read it myself, and thus had very high expectations when I finally got a copy. From that perspective, I was slightly disappointed. My main complaint is with the brevity of the actual hand discussions, but what is there is excellent. Other parts seem a bit preachy without enough specific advice; see the chapters on avoiding being distracted by sports betting and remembering to spend time with your family. To most readers this might seem strange, but these are problems that have derailed the careers or broken up families of many otherwise successful pros. He does speak from personal experience on these issues and others, which makes the slightly preachy tone much more palatable.

Throughout, the text is well-written, articulate, and an enjoyable read. The book is filled with color photos on almost every page, and another reader I talked with described it as a coffee table book. It's rare in the poker world for someone with Greenstein's stature, intelligence, and experience to write about any of these topics, which makes the advice invaluable for successful or aspiring pros. At the same time, very little is so technical or advanced that it would go over the heads of others who are interested, some parts just won't be relevant.

I received Ace in the Hole on a Thursday, and finished it on Friday. The book is an easy read, mostly discussion and history with very little thought required of the reader. The material is fascinating if you are a poker head, and should be mildly interesting to someone looking to understand the Poker World without delving into it (the wife or girlfriend, perhaps).

The hand analysis is easily worth the $25 price of the book. In fact, I would pay $10 per analysis if Barry would write them a la carte, maybe a book of 50 or 100. Although there are just a handful of hand discussions, they are really that good.

I consider myself an intermediate poker player, someone who has had some success and understands the material in Sklansky and Harrington and other poker books. For me, Ace on the River served to gather the disparate concepts and lessons from other works, and unify them into a cohesive poker philosophy. In short, it "got my head right". In fact, after finishing the book I entered a large online tournament and had by biggest win to date.

This is not an instructional text, aside from the hand analyses. This is a coffee table book, this is one man's history and treatise, this is Barry's gift to the poker world. Enjoy. World, meet Barry Greenstein.

Damien Del Russo

I have had a week to digest Barry Greenstein's pet project, his new book "Ace On The River." In short, I would recommend this book to middle/high limit, intellectual players who have a hungry appetite for poker books on broad ranges of topics, and have read all the other poker literature out there. Barry pens a lot of poker wisdom that has not been put into print before, but while some of it is definitely useful, much will be wasted on the average player and some sections are not as thorough as they could have been.

While beginners could certainly glean a lot of useful information from the book, strategy-based choices like Lee Jones' "Winning Low-Limit Hold 'Em" or Dan Harrington's "Harrington on Hold 'Em" tournament books (the best poker books out there) are better starting points.

Why is that? Well, for starters, there is very little in the way of actual hand analysis or traditional strategy discussion in the book. A chapter at the end studies 4 or 5 of Barry's notable tournament hands from the past few years, and a chapter entitled "Poker Lessons" goes over 7 or 8 problems in various games. But the purpose of these sample hands is to get the reader to start looking at poker situations in a different way, and that is ultimately the goal of the book.

In that sense, the book succeeds. But the problem is that a great deal of time is spent on topics like "Poker and Your Family," "Poker and Productive Society," "How To Behave In Poker Society,"...you get the idea. While these topics are certainly well-written and interesting, there's not a lot of solid, useable information for the average poker player to apply to his poker playing sessions from these chapters.

There are several great sections of the book, however, don't get me wrong. Topics on game theory, tournaments, math, and especially money management are full of excellent tidbits, and easy to read. But they are succinct, and like I mentioned earlier, leave you wanting more.

Buy this book to accompany your Harrington, Sklansky, Ciaffone, Cloutier & McEvoy, and Brunson and Co. poker books, where its glossy pages full of color photos and "nuggets" of poker wisdom will complement those more accessible, strategy based texts. Otherwise, steer clear, and come back only after reading those essential works.

1. This book will not help you play better poker.

2. This book will help you be a better poker player.

If you understand the difference between 1 & 2 then you are likely to enjoy the book.

If you don't, then stick to improving your game through 2+2 type books.

Just like Bill Clinton saying "I did not not have sexual relations with that woman", the main confusion
in readers opinions of this book seems to be the ambiguity of the word "Advanced" in the title. If you are a long time Sklansky reader "Advanced" means specific strategies and tactics beyond the basics. In Greenstein's book "Advanced" means beyond the average player's approach to the game. We are dealing with a lesson in semantics and while it carries a different meaning for different players it is certainly an "Advanced" guide just not in the more accepted meaning of the word. The ideas Greenstein gives are certainly useful to the player looking to move beyond the mass of the poker playing public and has many helpful ideas that only someone who has traversed the path could tell you. His ideas are excellent, insightful and entertaining to read but take a few minutes to read both the positive and negative reviews before you decide to buy this book. It may be a good fit or all fluff depending on your point of view. For me, once I was able to detach from my previous meaning for "Advanced" I was able to enjoy it at a different level than when I originally bought it.

Unlike Doyle Brunson, who wrote the foreword for this book, I was previously unaware of most of what Barry Greenstein shares regarding poker and the poker life in these pages. Although, just like Texas Dolly, I totally appreciate his efforts. Ace on the River may not be the greatest poker book of all time, but it certainly is the most visually appealing. I'm surprised to be using a phrase like "visually appealing" anywhere near the subject of poker or poker players, but it is an apt term for this publication. Its photographic plates must have cost a fortune, and they are breathtaking. Every aspect of the poker life, from its participants to its ornate environments are reproduced in their (occasional) ostentatious glory. As Brunson says in the forward, it's worth the price just to flip through the pages and examine the imagery.

As far as people go, Barry Greenstein has lived in the most interesting of times. He uses the knowledge he has acquired to relay much to readers about the game of poker. With Greenstein, you never get the feeling that he's holding out or sandbagging information. It seems that he's telling you everything, or as close to everything as one can get in only 300 pages. Personality wise, he impresses as being an odd combination of humility, intelligence, self-righteousness, and indefatigable competitive drive. He doesn't take it easy on his foes, and he certainly doesn't expect them to take it easy on him.

His advice in the advanced play section is excellent, and the biggest reason for my thinking so is that much of what he says is not found elsewhere. A prime example is the discussion of odds. That AK is an underdog to all pocket pairs is not always the case as it depends on how many people have folded before you. Such an eventuality is not something I ever knew before, and it is true because the likelihood of more aces and kings coming out on the board is increased when it has been folded around to you. Overall, I thought the practice hand portion was highly educational. Like Dan Harrington, Barry's teaching skills are strong and he breaks everything down into minute detail. With his hand analysis, for me at least, the betting instruction is what really paid off. Winning a hand and knowing how to bet are two completely different animals.

However, my favorite moment in "Ace..." occurs when Greenstein exposes to the average person just how corrupt our government is. This man, The Robin Hood of Poker, donates his poker winnings to charity, and guess what? The government taxes him on 75% of what he gives away. If he solely played for charity, he'd have to file for bankruptcy. This should be a lesson for anybody who thinks that their taxes are charity. Taxes are, all-too-often, mutually exclusive with charity. Hopefully, the reader will learn this valuable lesson about the brutality of taxation from Barry's example. Greenstein's not a man's man or a woman's man; he's a poker fan's man. This is top flight stuff.

Most amusing part of this book: Greenstein is SO condescending towards the tournament players. On the one hand he's correct - what it takes to play high limit poker is totally different from tourney poker. So yes, most tourney players like jesus would suck at money poker. BUT - most of the tourney players readily admit that - they aren't trying to say that they are the best "poker" players - just that they are the best tourney players. But it's hilarious to see how jealous barry is that the tourney players get all the fame and endorsements, when he could kick their butt if they played him for money. BUT I don't agree that tourney play is 100% luck - there is an element of skill to that game too - its just a completely different skill set. ANYWAY -back to the book. MAIN PROBLEM: It's not an advanced poker guide. It's Barry's life story, and some of his thoughts about life and sex - but the actual poker discussion is so minimal. I guess Doyle Brunson didn't read the book before writing his forward, which relates to "Barry revealing secrets" - he reveals no secrets! There is one sentence where he points out that he likes to semi-bluff on the turn, rather than the flop. THANKS FOR THAT INSIGHT, BG - at least you don't have to worry about your opponents getting into your head. Unfortunately, the reading public can't gain any poker knowledge from your book either. READERS: Stick to supersystem, you'll be OK.

When I purchased this book, I had the highest expectations to improve my game because I am very fond of Greenstein's style as a poker player. Unfortunately, his book doesn't live up to my high hopes. Greenstein mentions that this book originally started out as 1 chapter for Super System 2. Well, I believe him. There is very little here on what I'd consider "advanced poker". He does go into some detail covering a couple hold'em hands in big tourneys, but the rest is filler. Each "chapter" contains about 4 pages with lots of glossy photos to fill in the pages. Overall, this book could be best used for some general poker info , but to call it "advanced" is a bit absurd.

The other reviewer who said that this is a coffee table book is dead-on. There are lots of pretty pictures and it is a very quick read. After hearing Jay Lovinger's glowing review, I was a little disappointed reading this book. It was sort of boring. I wasn't as excited reading this as I was reading Harrington or Matros

The market for poker books has become polluted with books to describe someones experience winning the World Series of Poker to Ying and Yang of Poker. Before Ace on the River came out, I read Super System 1 and 2 and truly feel that those are the books that are necessary to playing power poker. Thankfully, Ace on the River is up there with both Super Systems as a necessary tool to help poker players at and outside the poker room. In Super System 2 Jennifer Harmen mentioned paying attention during hands and when you are not involved in a hand, but Barry Greenstein went in in-depth to explain certain strategies when paying attention at the poker table and I have used these methods successfully during cash games and tournaments. What I like best about Ace on the River is the lessons you can pick up about life that apply not only at the tables but in life. For me there is no section that stands out as the entire book can help the beginner and novice player. Some might just skip to Advanced Play and Tournament Strategies section of the book and feel that is the meat of the book, however ignoring sections such as Attitude of Poker Player and traits of poker players I feel would be a mistake in developing your poker play. Is reading this book along with Super System going to make me a professional poker player? the answer is no but if you are looking for Poker books to buy that significant other or friend then all I have to tell you is what Doyle Brunson wrote in his Foreword to Ace on the River: "I hope all players will read my books (Super System and Super System 2) to learn the games. I would then advise them to read Ace on the River to learn how to turn that knowledge into money."

This is NOT an advanced poker guide. I enjoyed the book and would have given it four stars if not for the misleading title. Don't buy this book if you are looking to learn about poker strategy or about actually playing poker.

What this book does do is give you a real look at what life as a professional gambler is like, and it gives some good advice regarding that profession. And it has some interesting and entertaining anecdotes. It should be titled an advanced guide to the life of professional gambling.

I bought it because I respect Barry's game and also him as a person. But I was disappointed because I was expecting more on actual poker strategy.

This should have been the subtitle to Greenstein's book. It's not heavy on strategy, although the play examples are golden. Mostly, the book is about how to approach the game mentally. The day after I read this book, I won the Poker Stars $10 rebuy. Apparently, that's not uncommon, as Barry personally told me that many players who read his book went on to immediate personal best achievements.

It's a coffee table book with lots of pretty pictures for the neophyte.
It's a take on the world of poker by a high level cash game player.
It passes the useful nuggets of information test for a legitimate poker book.
It's well written and edited, no need for an errata list that some publishers works require, hi Mason.
It's cheap, 25 bucks list price for what you get is a bargain in the poker publishing world.
It's got heft, useful for a significant other to beat about the head of a degenerate who could at least learn something and lose at a reduced rate.
Finally, the more you buy the more likely a 2nd edition will be published with additional hand analyses so the word advanced on the cover isn't debatable within poker circles, please buy so it stops.

This isn't the book I thought it would be. It's much more about poker society then it is an instructional poker book. It has very short essay type chapters on such topics as how gambling is viewed in America, brain chemistry, sexuality of a poker player,psychology of gambling, etc. This is all well and good because it's billed as a different kind of poker book. My main gripe with the book is all the filler. Half the book is photos. They're big and glossy and nice but I didn't think I was buying a poker coffee table photo book.

Barry Greenstein is one of the best, and most intriguing, professional poker players in the world. His altruistic way of donating all his Poker Tournament winnings to charitiy has earned him the monniker, "The Robin Hood of Poker."

"Ace on the River" is like no other poker book I read (and I have read a lot of them). To those expecting to see "Sklansky" charts for starting hands to play in hold'em or some general strategy on how to play rockets on the flop, they might be disappointed for there are none. The book is more geared towards players who have grasped the concept that tight and aggressive is the way to play and are looking for those strategic edges that mean the difference of making the final table or watching from the rail. And Greenstein provides this edge. His discussion of the math of poker and pot odds is the best I've seen in a poker book. Greenstein also offers a variety of poker scenarios he has played and shares with you the insight of how a poker grandmaster looks at particular hand as it unfolds.

I won't specify, but I learned two points from this book that has improved my no-limit game vastly. Before I read Ace on the River, I was 0-for-8 in casino no-limit tournaments. Since reading the book, I have played in 4 tournaments, made 2 final tables and won a $25 Rebuy Tournament ($1100 plus an entry to a $100000 guaranteed tournament next month). My limit hold'em and online play has vastly improved also. I owe it all to Barry.

In what is a "book within a book," Ace on the River covers in great detail the life of the professional poker player. It is not as glamorous as you might think. Barry Greenstein also shares his ups and downs in life and poker. I am convinced Greenstein's IQ is equal to Albert Einstein's (He was on his way to a PHD in Mathematics, but deferred it when he went to full time gambling). It's a compelling story.

I guess if you want to learn poker and hold'em, I would choose Phil Hellmuth's "Play Poker Like the Pros," or one of the fine works from Sklansky or Cloutier/McAvoy. But if you know why Pocket Aces are better than Jack-Ten Suited in Hold'em, Ace on the River might be one of those books that truly pays for itself.

Obviously, those who gave this book less than 5 stars have a lot to learn about poker, and perhaps aren't ready to read this type of book. This is the book you read when you have read all the books on strategy, and want to take a look at the life of a professional. This was a fascinating book, and one every player who plays poker seriously should read. This is not a book on strategy, so there is no point in giving it a bad review based on strategy if that is not what the book is about!

This book is proof of all the "poker pros" out there trying to cash in on their experience by writing books. If you are a real player, stick with Sklansky, Harrington, and SuperSystem. 1/2 of this book is filled with glossy photos, and most of the remainder is a very superficial discussion of sports gambling, compulsive gambling, and general gambling trivia. There are only about 10 pages of sample hands that are at all relevant to an intermediate or advanced player. Save your money.

It's a cool book, a bathroom reader really. I think the subtitle was "an advanced poker guide." That is stretching it some!

The book is short but has about 9000 chapters... one or two pages of random thoughts qualifies as a chapter.

I am a photographer... and the photos in here are awesome. The book is all color, thick glossy pages... it is an odd shape, very big.

If you want a book to learn hold'em, TJ's pot limit is hard to beat, try Dan Harrington for advanced play. Barry discusses his life, philosophy, and some odd characters in the game.

It's definitely worth the price, but expect entertainment more than instruction.

This book was the most anticipated poker book since SuperSystem by Brunson. It's a bit of a letdown if you're looking for a how-to-play-poker book. It's filled with advice on how to lead one's life as a poker player. Honestly, if you need to read a poker book to know how to stay out of trouble, then you're in a lot more trouble than a poker book can help you with. The second half of the book is devoted to strategy but they're not mind-blowing. Basically, the book is well-produced with nice color photos and good quality paper, but it isn't going to help you improve your game. It does help you keep poker and life in perspective, which is important, so buy it and add it to your collection. One more poker book can't hurt you, and if you win even $30 as a result of reading the book, then you've already got your money's worth.

If I wanted to know all about his life, I would have preferred he advertise it as a biography, not a poker help book!

This book has been a pleasure to read. It is not a primer on poker, but there is much to be learned about the poker mindset here.

I read this book in two days and I don't really plan on taking any notes on it.

The best piece of advice Barry gives in this book is to get plenty of sleep and avoid drugs and alcohol. This is aimed mostly at people who live in Las Vegas and Los Angeles where temptation for big winners is always around. But I suppose you can find temptation anywhere.

When I compare this book to Harrington On Hold 'Em Vol. 1 (which I have read three times, highlighted, and I am typing up cliff notes like it was a college course), there is no comparison when we're talking about teaching the game of No-Limit Hold 'Em.

In fact, I wish Barry had just focused on one game instead of jumping around so much discussing stud, omaha, and hold 'em. Each game is so highly specialized, that trying to touch on each of them in one 10 - 15 page chapter is impossible. (That's one reason why I don't like Hellmuth's book as well.)

Super/System I is thick for a reason: Each section is it's own book. This book tried to address everything and doesn't hit the mark.

When I got done reading this book I didn't really feel like I learned anything that would substantially improve my cash game or tournament game.

If you've never read anything on Poker, this is probably a 3 or 4 star book. If you're read a LOT on Poker, this probably could be something you read at Borders on a Saturday afternoon.

I read it in two days when I got home from work, and I still found time to watch TV, take care of my personal finances, and play some Playstation 2. It's 300 pages, but it is mostly (nice and glossy) pictures. Read it at Borders and save the $25 for the table.

This is a great book for any poker enthusiast. The pictures alone are worth the price. It is probably one of the best looking poker books on the market. However, outside of the autobiographical section, most of the advice is geared toward a player who is pondering making the move to professional poker. That doesn't mean that the average player should not pick up a copy. Quite the contrary. Anyone can learn from such a disciplined and seasoned pro as Barry Greenstein. One of the more interesting discussions in the book is the charitable donations of his tournament winnings. Many people think that Barry is so wealthy that he can just give away the millions he makes in high-stakes tourneys. Barry points out that, yes, his career in the dot.com world did afford him the luxury of playing full time, but he is very dependent on his income from CASH games.

He also goes into great length to dispell the myth that is the glitz and glamor of the world of professional gambling. He points out that it can be a lucrative industry, but it requires a LOT of self-discipline. There are so many distractions that accompany gambling--sex, drugs, alcohol, sports betting--Barry discusses the pitfalls of them all. What he does is put poker playing for a living in perspective. His writing style is simple and easy to read. No complicated math formulas or probabilities discussions a la Sklansky. While he does discuss these things, he discusses them in terms we all can understand.

My favorite part of the book is his discussion of various tournament hands he has been involved in over the years. He presents the scenario (pictures to help) and then asks, "How would you play the hand?" After thinking, turn the page and see how he analyzes the hand. Sometimes his analysis differs from how the hand actually played out, hindsight being 20/20! These are very valuable for any interested tournament player.

Overall, this is a must add for any poker enthusiast, and would be worthy of coffee table display for even the casual poker/gambling fan.

"This book is dedicated to the children of gamblers. They were rarely promised anything, because the promise might have been too hard to keep. They may have wanted to play a game with their parent rather than watch a sporting event on which their parent had placed a bet. They were told everything was done so they could have toys and clothes and a nice place to live, but all they wanted was a little more of their parent's time. I apologize to my children, Michael Sebok, Joesph Sebok, Chris Sebok, Christina Tran, Nathaniel Greenstein, and Melissa Greenstein, for when I have failed as a parent." --- Barry Greenstein (dedication to his book "Ace On The River", 2005)

This is not your normal poker book. From the dedication I have reprinted here, it's easily evident that this isn't like most books of ANY genre that you will find on a bookshelf. I've never read a dedication that elicited so many emotions which cover the spectrum. Most dedications are to children, spouses, parents, friends. While this indirectly mentions his children, it's the kind of dedication and the kind of words that take a strong person to write, a stronger one to put into print.

If you are looking for a poker strategy guide, this book isn't for you. If you are looking for hand rankings and learning about suited connectors, go pick up a 2+2 book. There are lots of them out there, and some are very good. While some hand analysis is examined at the end of this book, this book is meant to show you the lifestyle of a poker pro. Split into 28 chapters with an addendum, Barry peels back the glitz and glammer that you always see on television where edited highlights and spectacular bluffs make the casual fan say "wow".

Barry starts by telling his life story, and for anyone that thinks he worked at Symantec and then started his poker career afterwards, they are very wrong. Barry was a card player since he was a young child, and much of the money he made at Symantec was used to build and replace his bankroll for doing what he really wanted to do. While Greenstein doesn't deny making a lot of money at the software giant, it's more likely that Barry made a nice salary, but nowhere near the gobs of cash that others have made in the industry.

From discussing ways to think and act like a poker player, to bankroll management, to sports betting, sexuality, and remembering to put family first, Barry gives the most honest analysis of what a pro poker player's life is really like. The writing is pretty good most of the time, but it could use a couple more edits. In no ways does this detract from the book, it makes it more genuine, more Barry Greenstein. The pictures in this book are quite simply beautiful. Filled with 2-300 color pictures of players, casinos, and the poker life, you will be hard pressed to find another poker book with better (or even similar) photography. Some of the places where pictures were taken (like the high stakes room in the Bellagio) are off limits to most people. This picture from the 'Family' chapter is my favorite in the entire book.

If you want to move beyond your regular books and want to learn more about what makes a pro poker player a pro poker player, this is a one of a kind book on the market. If you are already a pro poker player and you need some more direction, this book will no doubt enlighten and enthrall you. Finally, if you ARE looking for hand analysis from one of the top players in the world, Barry covers some of that as well towards the end of this book and it's good, but Dan Harrington's book excel far beyond the little stuff that Barry touches upon here (no doubt it was added later to cater towards this type of audience).

For anyone that gives this book anything less than 4 stars, they don't understand how important a piece of work this is in the field of poker.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

This book was done really well. The quality of the paper and the photos are so good that you won't be ashamed to display this book. As for the content of the book, I agree with the other reviews that "An Advanced Poker Guide" is a stretch. The first two parts of the book is mostly filler (which is why I couldn't give it a 5 star rating).

Barry gives two pages on the mental game. I understand that poker is a mental game, but what is the point of putting in a chapter on the mental game and not provide any meat to it. I would have loved to see him refer other books to his readers, such as "Fearless Golf" and "With Winning in Mind" for example. Although these books aren't specific to the poker player, the material can be used by all athletes and both are very good.

On the positive side. Barry does an excellent job in the final part of the book. His hand analysis is great and I personally think that this part is well worth the price. I would like to see the first half of the book replaced with more hand and playing analysis. I only hope he writes a second book that focuses on this area and provides a more advanced view than this one.

Bottom line, once you read part 3 you won't be disappointed!

Troy

I would have given it five stars if Barry hadn't left out the one element that I suspect he hasn't optimally incorporated into his playing, which is entity selection. My impression is that his business setup could be significantly improved, and if you're like most poker players or stock/futures/forex traders, you too should start with Rich Dad, Poor Dad and go from there.

I haven't played poker since learning the rudiments of it 40 years ago, so why am I reading, much less reviewing, an advanced poker guide? Because at his level, Barry isn't gambling, he's speculating, just like I do in the markets every day. And the principles are the same, from game theory to chaos to money management. Ninety-five percent of traders lose their money (gambling) in the markets; I'll "bet" that the statistics are similar in poker.

The "advanced" part of this book/CD doesn't start until hand analysis in chapter 25. The first 24 chapters should be required reading/listening for all high school students. In fact, they should be required to pass an exam on the text with a score of at least 80 percent. He says that he could't reduce it to the necessary 20 pages that Doyle Brunson needed for Super System. Since I'm familiar with all of these topics (and incorporate them in my trading), and as a former techical writer/editor, I could have condensed them sufficiently. I'm glad he didn't, because too much of his character would have been lost in the transition. And if you haven't incorporated these concepts into your playing, you shouldn't be playing poker for money (much less trading in the markets).

It looks pretty, and has shiny pictures, but if you want to learn something new about no limit holdem, this is not the book for you. This book is filled with Barry's opinion on appropriate ettiquette at a game, money management (nothing specific, just him saying don't blow it - seriously) and is basically his autobiography. I play online professionally for a living (small stakes) but am developing into a pro. I would recommend The Theory of Poker - David Sklansky. Tournament Poker for Advanced Players - David Sklansky. And of course Super System - 1 or 2 is the same for the NL Holdem section. I mean no book is going to turn you into a pro, it takes a combination of things, and alot alot of play. This book will not make you a better poker player, simple as that.

While this was an easy book to read, I did not find it to be that advanced. It had a couple of good chapters on the mental challenges of poker but basically it consisted of a lot of nice pictures and funny anecdotes. I expected more practical examples and better statistical information given the author's reputation in the area.

Barry sole purpose on writting this book was to cash in on the poker popularity. If you desire a poker book that will enlighten you and teach you to play better poker, pick up Super System, or anything written by Harrington or Sklansky. Phil Gordon's Little Green Book is a much better book on poker than Greenstein's book. Don't bother putting any blind money into this book...this is truly a Dead Money Book.

Just pictures and filler, other than 4 0r 5 hands nothing a poker player could use.

if this is an advanced guide, perhaps someone can enlighten me wherein its advancement consists?

Basically, this is a coffee table book for lack-wits (said lackwits wishing to impress upon their friends that, although they've lost their wherewithals, the governance of their children, and the love of their spouse to a poker-playing lunacy, it's valid, cuz this here glossy portrait and many, many pictures says it is).

Tripe.

The title suggests it all. A beginning player will not grasp the concepts in this book to its fullest. However, the book describes the high level psychology and management that will attract any level of reader.

If you want a technical manuscript, you may want to hold off until the 2nd version comes out which will include more hand examples.

Greenstein gives the reader some autobiograpy, some life philosophy, and some poker philosophy. I enjoyed it, but would have taken less pictures (no captions to tell the newly-initiated who/what you were looking at), and more advice.

As an advanced poker guide, this book is aimed at the above average player who already knows the game and has some experience. The discussion here is not on the rules or the odds (although there's a little bit on odds). Instead it's more of a tale of playing the game at the upper levels. It's a story of how Mr. Greenstein has lived his life as a professional poker player.

Beautifully printed with hundreds of full color photographs of people (un-identified in the text, but captions in the back of the book), casinos, and game rooms -- this could almost be considered a coffee table book. It comes across as an introduction to a world that most of use will never know, or really even want to know. It's a book, though that's written well enough about a certain lifestyle that it's hard to put down. You want to find out what happens. Then at the end of the book there is an analysis of several hands of poker that shows how an advanced player thinks. These hands are complex enough that for us beginners they are barely understandable.

There is some good stuff in this book for starters. BUT, 3/4th of the book could have been done away with. If you added all the pages of pictures up consecutively, it would be about half the book. Fluff. An itemized list is found that describes how insensitive poker players can be. More Fluff. Greenstein himself said that when writing the section for Brunson's Super System 2, it became too long at 100 pages. Well, thats fine...but to turn 100 pages into a marketable book, he added a bunch of pretty pictures, full page spreads of casinos, large font...etc.
Half of the books feels like it's aimed towards someone who has never walked into a casino or picked up deck of cards.
The meat of it may be worth it, of course, even if you gain just one thing. I was really looking forward to it and am, overall, disappointed. An Advanced Poker Guide? Seriously?

This is a gorgeous book - perfect for the coffee table. But if
you want books that help you to win at poker - look elsewhere. It
is just ok in that area. The book is interesting - just don't
expect to learn as much about poker theory as you would from
Harrington or Sklansky books.

M. Grapenthien sums the book up pretty accurately when he indicates there isn't much of value. I read it in a day (unlike most poker books that I study in-depth), and found the sections on game theory and statistical analysis of hands to be solid (although most of this info. can be found in other texts). Anyone who has played live cash games for any length of time will have discovered most of this info. through experience, or read about it in other poker books. The section on tournament play offers an interesting insight into how the author plays them, and might be of some value for new tournament players. There is a section on WSOP hole cards ands flops that have been played, where questions are posed as to how they should be played from then on, and then the author's analysis of how he thinks they should have been played, and how they in fact were played. While this is interesting, anyone who has played tournaments for any length of time will probably have a grasp of this info. based on experience, or other studies. Novice tournament players might benefit from this section also, but I doubt more experienced tournament players will.
Overall, there just isn't much hard info. in this book, which is a shame, as I think the author is capable of producing a volume that would have ranked as a seminal work alongside Doyle Brunson's "Super System 1/2", only covering the more intangible aspects of the game. That's what the editorial reviews and jacket description of the book would lead prospective purchasers to believe they will be getting. Sadly, I don't believe it lives up to those expectations.

Barry Greenstein has many interesting perspectives on the game of poker, from his experiences in tournaments and cash games to things like getting enough rest before playing and even to the advisability of having a sex partner on the side during poker excursions!

When Mr. Greenstein gets to the mathematical aspects of poker (pot odds, etc.), it takes up less than 10% of the book. So for the book to be call "advanced" is a bit of a stretch.

But overall, you may find the book a good read if you have a general interest in poker.

In any table card games, whether it's poker, black jack or baccarate; a serious player should read Barry's book. It tells the inside story of casinos and game players.
Have you ever felt sorry for not being with family when playing at poker tables? Have you ever felt sorry for your kids after you lost a large sum of money? Have you ever been distracted by the good looking waitress when you were about to put a large bet? Read the book, it will tell you a lot about what behinds a poker player.

This book is authored by Barry Greenstien and the forward is done by Doyle Brunson. This is one the best poker books available. All skill ranges will benefit and enjoy this book. It is one of the few 'can't put down' poker books. The quality of the book itself is heads and shoulders above all poker books, with thick, hi-gloss paper, and wonderful pictures throughout the entire book featuring the poker world. This is a must have for any poker reader.

Reviews on this book run the gamut from "amazing" to "too much filler." In my opinion, I would rate it somewhere, inbetween, a solid read, and a necessary addition to the knowledge base of any aspiring pro.
If you are playing for fun, and don't care much about maximizing your earnings and pushing yourself to be successful in this endeavor, then you likely won't understand the true value of this book.
As Greenstein writes, many potentially profitable players never have a dime in their pocket, or never show a net profit. This is because it is very easy to get sucked into all the bad habits winning fast money can give you; I commend the author for actually trying to address the outside factors of a life in poker, attempting to make players aware of their own faults.
That said, the whole Poker and sexuality section is a little odd; useful, though.
I would recommed this book to any player who is harboring thoughts of making a living playing this game, which, lets face it, is the dream of about 90% of players.
If you are looking for more strategy, buy it with Harrington's book and Supersystem, 1 or 2. That should give you enough to beat most easy games.

In my opnion this book comes up short in every aspect it covers. All the chapters contain interesting topics but never go into enough depth. I also found some of the instructional hands odd as teaching examples. If you would like a brief overview of what the professional poker world is like and want to see a bunch of pictures of other poker pros, this is the book for you.

This would best be described as an "Overview of the Poker World", but certainly not "An Advanced Poker Guide" as stated on the cover. This is a high quality paper back with page after page of glossy photos and brief simple chapters, a great beginners guide.

There's nothing new here. If you have the basic game down and are looking for "poker wisdom from a seasoned pro", you'll be very disappointed. A far better investment would be Dan Harrington's recent works (volumes I & II)

Although Barry Greenstein comes from a math background, there is very little math in this book. In fact, there's not very much poker in it either, which is the book's largest flaw.

The book can be roughly divided into three sections: in the first, he talks about his poker career. This is the first chance we get to see the Greenstein writing style, which is clear, short sentences, sparing no one (not even himself). It's a fairly riveting and enjoyable section.

The second section is a collection of short chapters giving advice on topics like money management, playing on the internet, and sex. This is the part that I found most disappointing - although some players may not show ideal guidance in these areas, these are mostly "common sense" ideas that really just clutter this book.

The third section is the crucial part - talking about hands and play. With great illustrations and great questions, Greenstein leads us through some key hands in his carreer. The conversation is fascinating and the illustrations are terrific. Alas, it's much too short. I wish he had eliminated most of the middle section and expanded this section, since I could feel the way I think about poker changing while reading this.

I'm not a high-level player, but compared to reading other books by other authors, it's clear that Greenstein thinks about poker very differently than other writers that I've seen. If I can make a comparison from another game, Aaron Nimzovich was a great chess player of the early 20th Century who clearly had a much different take on chess than anyone else in the game then (and maybe even to this day). In that sense, this book is important, but if you're a good player looking to make your play better, the Harrington books might be a better fit.

One more thing: the epigrams and pictures are great additions - the book looks and feels luxurious. If only other poker books had the same high quality...

This is a review of the audiobook version of Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide by Barry Greenstein.

Barry Greenstein is well-known in professional poker circles, having won two World Series of Poker bracelets (for first-place finishes) and two World Poker Tour championships. He is sometimes called "the Robin Hood of poker," because he typically donates his tournament winnings to charity. (Like many top pros, Greenstein makes most of his money in "cash games," not in tournaments.) Greenstein is also one of the most articulate and "philosophical" of poker professionals, having almost completed a doctorate in mathematics before turning to poker full-time. (Greenstein shows his erudition by opening each chapter with two well-chosen quotations from a variety of literary and popular sources.)

As he explains in the introduction to this book, it is not intended for beginners. (If you are looking for an introduction to the basics of no-limit poker, I would recommend either Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play or Phil Gordon's Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold'em.) Greenstein is writing for moderately advanced players. Ace on the River is part autobiography, part how-to guide for being a genuine poker professional, part high-level play advice, and part philosophical essay. Each aspect is interesting.

We hear about how Greenstein got in trouble with the law despite his best efforts, because of the gray zones involving poker playing for money. We learn how Greenstein was cheated at poker, and how he advises you to avoid getting cheated yourself. He tells you how, as a professional poker player, you should manage your money and investments. (In general, being a professional poker player is really like putting your money in high-volatility investments, which can pay off if you do it well.) We hear about the important differences between tournament play and cash games, and why many pros feel that the latter are a better measure of one's skill. And, of course, there is advice on playing poker. (Many examples are taken from no-limit hold'em, but Greenstein also takes some examples from 7-card Stud and other games.)

I am reviewing the audio version of this book, which makes two points relevant. First, there is a section where Greenstein presents hands he was in and then invites you to say how you would play the hand, before he tells you how he played it. In this chapter, it's helpful to have the pause button on your player handy, so you can think for a minute before hearing his answer. Most of the book is easily "readable," though, if you need to keep your hands free (like if you are driving or jogging). Second, I've seen the physical book in a bookstore, and it is a very handsome volume because of its layout and photography. You will miss out on this if you buy the audio version.

I really enjoyed this book and am glad I "read" it. So if you are a moderately advanced player with a serious interest in poker, this is a great book.

"If you read all the poker books and become a technical expert on which hands to play and how to play them, you are still likely to end up broke."

If you just want a book on how to play poker, keep looking; there are lots of those. Although this book has some play lessons and elaborate mathematical charts, it's more about the life of a pro. I recommend it for everyone with or without professional aspirations. This was intended to be part of Doyle Brunson's book but became a book in itself.

BG discusses cheaters (and he names names! and casinos), deadbeats, critics, his own life and ethos, who to tip and why (that was a real eye-opener!), sex and how it can affect one's game, superstition, tournament strategy, and much more. There is poker etiquette I had not read elsewhere, such as how to win gracefully, and why it's important.

It has COLOR plates. (Red hearts & diamonds --how's that for a switch?) It's chock full of color photos of famous players and casinos, like a scrap book. It has an index, plus a separate index for the photos so you can see who's in them.

One caveat: My worst days (in terms of losses) started with me reading from this. Every time. Superstition? No, but for whatever reason it put me in the wrong frame of mind to play. (I found it a bit depressing in places.) After a few of those, I would only read it on days I did not play.

Interestingly enough after reading this book I did not win any of the poker tournaments I played in. Which is sad really, with the high expectation of implementing all of my new tools for no limit poker. But that really was not what the book was meant to do and I am glad because that is what every other poker book I read was trying to do. What Greenstein does and what makes this book so powerful is that he gives a solid foundation for a serious poker player to follow not just at the tables but also with the social scene, family life, and financial side of playing the game.

If you are looking for a get rich quick guide to no limit hold em, you should go read Helmuths book (chances are you will go broke you Jackal). If you want a guide into the world of poker that will explain how to handle almost every aspect of the game then Barry is your man.

Oh and the pictures are cool too!

If you like Barry, as I do, Its a good autobiography. If your looking for a really good guide and secrets to winning at NL HE, then get something else. Barry has plenty of money he doesnt need any more. The book is like a huge childrens picture book filled with photos of people you really shouldnt know unless you watch too much ESPN, or you actually live in Vegas. While it is colorful, you won't learn much from Barry. We all know if you bet out with AK and get called, miss the flop, that you should still bet again to rep a big pair. And if you get called, fold. That's about the extent of this book. Barry's a great player, and I guess if he just told you how to play poker it would be about 3 pages.It would be like "Be aggressive, have huge balls. otherwise take up something else." It wouldn't be a great read, now would it.

Im more interested in books that help me win. This has some nice stories, well written by a real nice guy, but not what I was looking for.

I read this book at the book store, hehe.

I found it very good. Someone mentioned semantics of the word 'advanced.' Barry is an advanaced player, having played as a pro for 30 years. I think it is one of those funny things where you have to be advanced to understand that this book is advanced. Whereas the intermediate player wants all these hand details and such, Barry is talking about philosophy, morals and the finer details of the poker lifestyle.

Anyway, for what it's worth it was a great book, and not your run of the mill pile of poker crap that most poker books are.

I am impressed with the moral character of Mr.Greenstein. The book touches on many poker related topics and is very entertaining. The book is well done with quality photographs throughout. I have gained some insight to the world of high limit poker.

This is a gorgeous book. The pictures are great, and offer a nice backdrop to the material. It's a quick read, and if you are not familiar with the culture of Brick and Mortar Poker you will find it informative.

This book would get 5 stars if it was sub-titled "A beginners guide to brick and mortar poker". If you are looking for any deep insights into advanced play, you won't find much here. He does have hand examples, which are very informative, and well presented, but the content and lessons don't offer much when compared to "The Theory of Poker" or "Harrington on Hold'em vols 1 & 2". It's a great addition to your poker library, and I did like the book, but I was expecting much more in the way of No-Limit advanced instruction and it came up short.

I was really looking forward to getting this book. I'm considering becoming a pro or at least I dream about it you could say. I thought this book would give me a bunch of great advice and absolutely bowl me over with useful playing strategy. It's just ok on both issues. Maybe I was expecting too much, but this is much fluffier than I anticipated. Heavy on style, lighter on substance. If you want a beautifully made poker book with great pictures then I would give this 10 stars. If you have extremely high hopes like I did then 4 stars is probably too generous. There is some good stuff in here but I guess I'm a little disappointed. Barry seems like such a cool guy with how he donates so much money though that I don't feel bad at all about spending some money on it.

Barry Greenstein has been a professional card-player for more than thirty years. His book, "Ace on the River," is part biography, part advice and part hand-by-hand analysis. The current surge in popularity of the game makes the book a natural for both afficionados and the merely curious.

The book is lush, packed with photographs, and easy to read. I found the biographical material to be fascinating. Greenstein was a successful programmer who left his day job because he couldn't afford to be away from the poker table (the oddest example of "opportunity cost" I've run across). The author's adventures make for fun reading.

The advice section courts controversy. Pro poker players can be mavericks, solitary folk with quirks. Greenstein's quirks work their way into Greenstein's advice. You'll be entertained, in addition to benefitting from solid advice.

The hand analysis is the book's most valuable feature. Several hands are broken down, with candid commentary from the author. What Greenstein does is show a mind-set, a way of thinking about poker that offers a glimpse of how the reader can develop the skills necessary to win at any level. Don't expect tricks, or heavy math. Poker is a human game. Greenstein's approach is a combination of old-fashioned hard work, self-knowledge and observation. "Ace on the River" is an entertaining, invaluable resource for fans of the game.

Reading this book was the worst time spent ever. I learned nothing I didn't already know. If you really want to learn some new things and know thats what you are doing and not wasting time purchase Dan Harrington's boooks.

Barry was supposed to write a chapter in Dolye's Super/System, but when Doyle saw his work he asked him to turn it into a book instead because the material was "too good". I think that Doyle asked Barry to turn this into a book because he didn't want his Super/System book to be complete flop!

I have read more than a dozen books on poker, strategy, life of poker players, stories, etc, and this is by far the worst book ever! He filled it with nice pictures so it can be a conversation piece. If you have any interest in poker, buy any other book - even one from Phil Hellmuth.

The best chapter in the book is the one about sex and poker. It is very funny because it is so dumb. Pimps have higher morales than this guy, and most can likely write better than him!

I bought this after having read the works of Harrington, Gordon, Sklansky, Brunson, etc. This book is a mixture of Greenstein's thoughts on the poker society in general and some strategy examples. My impression of the book is that it just seems to be a series of random thoughts by the author and that it was not very comprehensive. Each chapter is fairly short and the book is full of color photos that serve as filler material and don't add any value (no captions on the pictures). A couple of points I did like were the points Greenstein made about buying in for the minimum instead of maximum in cash games and his theory to accumulate chips early in tournaments (instead of playing tight early as many others advocate). I would only recommend this as an addition to a comprehensive poker library and not as an early read (it is subtitled as an advanced poker guide).

Not for the novice poker player. Unless you already have an understanding of how to play both beginning hands and after the flop this book is probably not for you. There is a lot about Barry and a lot of self analysis. There is more about getting yourself mentally and emotionally prepared to play the game than anything. This is a book you could read once a year and get something new from every year as your game progresses. There are plenty of samples and examples but they are in the context of the player's preparedness to deal with the hands. Barry deals a lot with situational poker. If you've stopped thinking about the cards you have and started thinking about your opponent, what he has and what you think he thinks you have, then this book should help you. He also deals with a lot of issues relating to being a professional gambler if that is your interest.

i am glad i bought this book. it is one of the better one's i have read. i have read numerous poker books and i feel this one gives a person a better true look at poker. i will be recommending it to my friends. thank you.

While Greenstein is a great pro and humanitarian, his book offers only a modicum of practical advice for advanced play in no limit tournaments. It is primarily a large coffee table book with some nice photos.

Alan Safani

At the closing of the text it does provide some very good information in terms of how to play hands and also the thought process he had in hands as well as some level 2/3 thinking of poker. Up untill teh end it doesnt really have to much usefull information. It talks about BR management, sex & poker, being honest, and various other things which do not really discuss poker strategy. It does have some intresting information before the hands which he discusses, but its not really so much a guide in poker. Super system by brunson, The little green book by phil gordon, and the harrington books are all far better. Im giving this book 3 starts instead of 2 b/c it does have some very nice pictues in it, and if photograpgy is your thing youm ight want to grab it. Also as I said the poker statagy at teh end is good. I think its reletivly obvious why I'm not giving it 4. If anything I'd give it 2.5 stars

Ace on the River is easily one of the finest books about the game of poker ever written. How To books on poker are a dime a dozen, but this fine tome does not fit that category. A book that every potential poker pro should read, Ace on the River provides answers to all those questions we've all had over the many hours spent at the table and away, but were unable to even put into words, let alone answer. Written by one of the true gentlemen of the game (and one of the most financially successful), Ace on the River provides information on everything from etiquette to sex and all points in between. If you want to learn which hands to play, read some other book. If you want to learn how to play, win and live the game of poker, read Greenstein. I finished the book wanting more...a sequel is in order!

I can't believe the reviews that pan this wonderful book. Barry gives us some hands to ponder the math and much much more. In addition on his website he includeds some information that was cut from the Book. I advise anyone who is seriously considering the life of a poker professional to read and take heed to this book. I found the book very informative about the world inside the ring. I think its a must read for anyone who has advanced beyond the level of maniac. There is no magic system, no holy grail and no greatest poker player. On any given day you could be the greatest player or a donk. Experienced players know the pot odds and the theory. This book provides good info and great advice.

I bought this book for my boy-friend who plays poker 24/7. He told me that this book was great and inspirational to help him with his game

Interesting approach, it has everything regarding strategy and it is easy to read. Maybe more on the math behind the game would have been useful. Complete it with Barboianu's book on probabilities and with Brunson's books and you will have the basic tools for a professional play.

Recommended by Pros. Very good. Not the same 'ol, some 'ol. Offer new insites and points of view. You should read others first, but this is a great follow up.

Interesting story. Good for advanced players as far as fine points are concerned. Not a lot of beginning player systems. Both novices and veterans can benefit from advice on ethics.

Barry's book is a good read, and "pretty", with many pictures and illustrations. He addresses how to raise through the ranks of play, how to manage your money, how to control your game, how it will effect your family, and even how to play some poker. But, his actual poker theory section is a bit smaller than I'd like for it to have been. I think that this is a good book for those who are looking to read one or two books and want a good overview without melting their brain with charts and theory and math (though he does have a few math formulas that caught me off guard).

I've read half a dozen books on poker and I think this is one of the better overview books for the casual player who is wanting to improve their game, but if you're really wanting to take your strategy to the next level something like Theory of Poker or Super System or Harrington on Hold-em will give you more detailed information.

It should be mentioned too, that this focuses on Hold-em but not exclusively (half is hold-em, and then there's a good bit of 7-card stud and some lowball hands talked through), and you'll need to know some of the basic strategy information for the games for the advice to help you.

I have a couple of friends who are decent poker players but don't want to read the couple hundred pages of theory in Theory of Poker, I'm going to pass this book on to them for them to read (while I borrow their Harrington on Hold-em that's collecting dust).

If you wan't to hear Barry go on and on about how great he is (in a cleverly modest way) then this is the book for you. It does contain useful poke info directed at high level players but it has too much stuff about how Barry donates to charity. Certainly not critizing him for donating to charity - just don't want to read about it in a poker book....

I found the pictures nice but lacking in substance pertaining to NLH. 2/3 of the book was about Barry's biography.

I read a lot of good reviews from other sites but, in my opinion, this book is overrated. I wouldn't recommended it. In a nutshell it gives you an insight to the life of a professional poker player which is not very useful info for many people.

I have 7 poker books. This one is by far the worst! No good tips, no insight, no strategy. Greenstein rambling on about his career. And it is huge in size and doesnt fit on my bookshelf with all my other books. What a waste.

This is a great book for those wondering what life is like for a professional player. This is not really an instructional book. Barry certainly comes across as honest and objective about his life. The photos included in the book are fun because you will see many familiar faces in the crowds if you watch Poker on tv.

This book is not going to teach you the basics of poker, but for the more advanced player it lets you see into the mind of in my opinion the best poker mind in the game today.

If you can get past Barry Greensteins' peculiar writing style, then the depth of the fabulous life in Vegas will be yours.

Of course, the caveats of a life in poker are also black and white in Barrys' fine book. If you want to have an understanding of that lifestyle dominated by poker then read this book.

The book does have a few good examples and gives insight into the philosophy and life of Mr. Greenstein. This gives nice insight into the world of professional poker. The book does not spend a lot of time on the specifics of thinking yourself through situations.

Great pictures, lots of good ideas and diverse information from a great poker mind and interesting person, but somehow thin for a book professing to be an advanced poker guide. I found it to be a very enjoyable reading experience, and would recommend it as a fun, thought provoking, and interesting book that covers many personal issues in the life of a professional poker player that are not covered in many other books. As "an Advanced Poker Guide", the book is just too light on detail to achieve the stated aim... a different title would probably have been appropriate.

Gives a whole bunch of self serving hype but very little in the way of "advanced poker guide"...

Sklansky & Harrington don't play any limit
where the blinds are higher than $300.

Barry Greenstein plays at games where the
blinds alone $10,000. (this game could easily
have half a million dollar fluctuation in a day.)

Barry thinks about the game at a much higher
level than Harrington and Sklansky.

At the highest level the game is all about
psychology and having proper attitude.

This book reveals that information.

Initially the book was intended for players who
play at $400-$800 limit but want to move up to
$4000-$8000 level and higher.

If you are low limit player you can't appreciate
or comprehend many of the things said in this book.

Let me start of by saying that this is not your typical poker book. If you are looking to solely improve your game, look elsewhere.. like Brunson's Super System or Slansky's Theory of Poker. This is his life story and how Barry came about becoming a poker pro. There arent too many books that offer this kind of social aspect of the poker world. After reading this book, I feel like I know Barry inside out, why he is such a respected character in the poker world today. He also does offer some nice advice how to prosper in the poker world. If you are considering becoming a full time poker pro... THIS IS A MUST READ!

This book is filled with practical information that will be valuable to intermediate and advanced players. Barry Greenstein is a very intelligent and sensitive person. He has written a book about how to play certain problem hands, the other players and how to manage your own life as a poker player.

His chapter on poker society helped me get into the minds of the people who play this game a lot more often than I do.

The hand examples go over the most common tricky situations you find yourself in at the table. I think the information contained in this part of the book helped me overcome a serious flaw in my own game and make the transition from being an inconsistent player to a winning one. There was also something about his general poker and personal philosophy that really clicked with me.

I had been struggling at the intermediate level for a few months at the time i read this book. Immediately afterwards I became aware of some of the situations where I was donking off chips and began to avoid them and winning (of folding) in the same situations.

The charts in the back of the book showing certain hand match-ups, number of outs, and winning percentages will give you something to chew on after you finish the book.

Without the illustrations and photos, this would be a thin book but the value of what is written in is very high. This is clearly a case of quality over quantity.

I see Mr. Greenstein at our local casinos from time to time. I am going to start keeping this book in my car so I can have him sigh it. I'd also like to thank him personally.

Having watched Barry Greenstein on the World Poker Tour over the years, and then reading about his part in the Andy Beal versus the top tier of high stakes poker pros in the highest stakes games in history story (read about that in "The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King), I just had to get this book. Based on what I knew about him he definitely was an enigmatic character to me. After reading the book he's still enigmatic. Why he gives away his poker tournament earnings is a mystery still.

Anyway, if you think you might buy it, please note that the subtitle of the book (An Advanced Poker Guide) is misleading. You'd expect the book to be a poker instructional manual based on that. It isn't. The play lessons comprise only part of the book.

What it is: a fascinating insight into the society of pro poker players. If you have a fantasy of becoming a pro, definitely worth reading.

For the rest of us, it's an entertaining and fun read but unlikely to help you at the table.

The book is nicely designed with great photos.

This book is excellent for any poker player looking to make the move from casual play to a more serious game. Barry Greenstein discusses what it takes to make a living from playing poker, including bankroll management, game selection, what makes a great all-around poker player, and how to balance poker with the rest of your life.

One of the most helpful aspects of this book was how Barry describes the mentality of a poker player. His advice helps you deal with bad beats, getting outdrawn on, and all the other perils of playing poker.

Also included in the book are example hands, presented in a "what would you do?" format. Barry then discusses his play and what he was thinking in many key hands of his poker career.

This book is different from the usual play these starting hands only type poker instruction manuals. There is a lot of interesting and useful insight into life and thoughts of a high limit poker player.

The top review on the page said it was too brief about the math and starting hands, I say BRAVO, I have had enough of that information and this was definitely a refreshing work for a person who owns several books and dvds by professionals on how to play (Hold Em).

GREAT WORK. I only gave it 4 stars simply because I didnt want anyone to think that I just slapped them on there because I liked the book. I read this almost 300 page book in 2 days(its really about 250 pages because theres a lot of photos and stuff, but they were not overdone IMHO)

So I won't rehash what has been said in the other reviews. But the following hasn't really been emphasized:

This book is BEAUTIFUL. It's a large oversized "quarto" trade paperback, with extraordinarily thick and glossy pages, bound together beautifully. It's been a very very long time since a book at this price point was made this nicely. I would suggest buying it, just to have such a nice looking book.

This book is far and away some of the best stuff that has been written on poker. I lost my copy and this book is so chalked full of info I had to buy it again! Barry Greenstein is the consummate professional and an excellent writer on top of that.

For those that like hand charts and theorem like explanations of how to play poker, you will not like this book.

For those that want the wisdom of one of pokers finest players, you will not be disappointed. Barry understands that a thorough understanding of mathematics and of poker is more the ludic elements that make up the physical game.

it actually write all bout the philosophy about poker and it teaches u to be a better poker players before or after u win the game !!!!

The title says it all. This is one of the best poker guides I've read so far. Barry points out and makes you think about things that you really can't put to words. It helped me a lot.

not a bad book. Nothing you haven't really read before but a good book overall. will give you a few new prespectives

I read this as soon as I got it. Took me 1 day!! I gained alot of great knowledge of the game from this book!!! Great investment for anyone who plays poker!

This is the perfect book to read after you have learned the game! Not your typical A-B-C "how-to" poker book. I have read MANY poker books, this is one of my favorites! Great book from a great poker player. Inciteful and entertaining.

First off I want to say I really enjoyed the book. If you want a book that is pretty and well made this is for you. Most of it was enjoyable but the reason I buy poker books is to learn something. Really don't think my play improved from reading this but I am not sorry I bought it.If you want a book for the nightstand this is your baby. If you want to learn something, save your money.

Ace on the River is what the title states: A Poker Guide. If you are looking to become a professional poker player then this book will give you some insight into the lifestyle of of poker pro.

Barry delves on money management, playing in good profitable games, poker mindframe, family, ect..ect.. Its not a book to teach you how to play hold'em but a book to give you advice about being a professional poker player. He goes over some unique hands that he has been in, and the poker odds and out chart in the back of the book is definatly very helpful, but overall the book is ok..It has some nice pictures and a small biography about himself.

To be honest, I have only went back to the hand chart in the back of the book from time to time and not the actual context of the book. I did not read the book more then once. I let a friend borrow this book and it helped him alot (he is a semi-pro) but it didnt help me all that much. I heard that after Tuan Lee read this one it changed his game. I think it helped him manage his money better, look at poker as a business, and be more responsable. Barry Greenstein is a great player and a great person (giving a % of his winnings to charity) but if you want to learn how to beat the game I would suggest reading Dan Harrington, Doyle Brunson, or Skalanky...If you are looking to become a pro, then this might help you more then it helped me.

I am somewhat of a novice at poker and thought the best way to get better would be to start reading books by people who are seasoned and successful at it. I started with the "bible" which of course is Doyle Brunson's Super System. The more I watched poker the more I began to appreciate Barry Greenstein's play and opinions. I feel that this book has given me insight into the complexities of no limit texas holdem. I recommend it to anyone trying to expand their knowledge and understanding of the game.

To look through the eyes of one of the top players in the game is priceless.