what happens in vegas, stays in vegas. like all of your money...

WARNING: While there is nothing offensive about the subject of this book (poker), the style of writing in this book is sometimes not politically correct, and this book contains cursing (including the f-bomb) and biting humor. This review contains potentially offensive quotes to get across the style of the book. I love this book and highly recommend it, but it may not be for everyone, such as young readers.

And now, without further ado, here's a treat and surprise for you all: my first non-YA review. That's right, folks, I actually do read other books... especially if Vegas is involved.

Personally, I'm not a huge gambler, because I'm cheap and sitting at the penny slots isn't the most entertaining thing on the face of the planet (unless your penny slot is by a rocking piano bar-- read: the Times Square Bar in Las Vegas's themed hotel, New York, New York-- or you know... you're winning). But I love Vegas, and I love the idea of gambling, especially at the tables. It's glamorous, exciting, sexy... or not.

Pat Walsh's How to Win the World Series of Poker (or Not) is the funny, true story of the book editor Pat Walsh's attempt to win the game's most prestigious prize. (I couldn't find an author website, but you can read an interview about the book here.) He starts playing for pennies online, and moves up to home games with friends and family, tournaments in a church basement, games in mansions and the back room of a bar, an Indian casino, and, finally, viva Las Vegas itself.

I loved this book for so many reasons, and not just the subject matter. For all I watch movies and TV specials on Sin City, I don't actually know more than the basics of table games. How to Win begins with a prologue that comprehensibly explains Texas Hold 'em in layman's terms, so that even if you knew nothing else about poker beforehand, you can still understand the rest of the book, because the bulk of it is descriptions of specific games and hands.

If I were told that, I would think, "Wow, that sounds boring," but trust me: How to Win is anything but. I had a hard time putting it down.

First of all, there's the charm of the "All American Tale" (also the tag line of the book). Even though you know from the outset (it's in giant letters on the back cover) that Walsh didn't win the World Series of Poker (or even come close), you still root for the everyman who decided to just go for it. I think we all wish we had a little Pat Walsh in us, to complete our biggest dreams no matter how crazy (like the World Series of Poker's $10,000 entry fee) they may seem. So even though the outcome isn't a surprise, there's still plenty of excitement as you root for Paul whether he's playing against family, friends, rich socialites, old men, obnoxious drunks, pleasant strangers, or his own seemingly cursed losing streak. The excitement only grows as he moves up the ladder, getting ever closer to the World Series itself.

That, in a way, is what makes this book glamorous, even though Pat is playing against online competitors for a pot that doesn't even break a ten-spot (that's dollars, not thousands), drunk hecklers, and geriatric old men. The actual World Series, where Pat brushes elbows with poker stars and media celebrities alike, isn't given that much space in the book. It's partially because he doesn't last that long, but also because it's a story about the journey as much as it is about poker.

Also, the simple way Hold 'em is described makes you feel like you could do this. Yes, poker takes a lot of skill, but if you can follow these hands, if you can cheer and groan along with Pat... hey, who knows?

And, of course, the book is hilarious. I laughed out loud several times while reading it, garnering a few looks from strangers on the subway in the process. There are several reasons the book is funny. First, there's the way poker itself is described, turning the explanations from just informative to information with a strong, witty writing style. For example, one of the ten main poker tips is

"5. Capitalize on your opponents' mistakes.
People make mistakes all the time. I, for one, make one about every minute and a half. When you think someone's making a mistake, find a way to translate that into personal profit for you. And not just in poker; do it in life too, like Gandhi" (24).

or, my favorite:

"8. Calculate the odds.
This has something to do with math" (25). (Don't worry... by the end of the book you do have a decent idea of what it takes to calculate the odds, without any boring explanation.)

Secondly, the book is funny because Walsh doesn't care what anyone thinks. He's self-depreciating, he insults who he pleases, and he defies political correctness. It not only provides many laugh-out-loud moments -- "With my newfound wealth and my gigantic poker testicles I decided it was time to hit the real tables. I had been avoiding card clubs and casinos, preferring to cut my teeth on old men, youngsters, and dear friends" (76). It's also different, which is always a plus, and it's freeing and refreshing to not have to tiptoe around others, if only for the duration of the book (yeah, that guy is an asshole! I hope you destroy him at the tables!)

Thirdly, the book is funny because it's not merely re-tellings of certain games. There's a narrative structure, which opens up so many opportunities for humor. Walsh comments on celebrities who play poker, his first experience with the game, how he juggled the game and his family, and the World Series itself, just to name a few. If swearing bothers you, I suggest not reading the following passage, but the commentary gives a good example of the easy, conversational, and laugh-out-loud hilarious voice that narrates the story:

"This was the first year the higher-ups, perhaps mindful of poker's new respectability as family entertainment, banned the use of what they called the F-bomb. The F-bomb is the word fuck-- perhaps you've heard of it? It is a great word, and there are times when, for an exclamatory, no other word will do. What do they expect at a poker table? Someone who gets drawn with runner/runner says fuck and another player at the table will wail Oh, my virgin ears, and faint? This is not a Christian day camp; it is high-stakes poker and it is rated R. If the word fuck bothers you, go play bingo at church" (127).

The above passage should also make it clear that the narrative structure is great for other reasons, too: it makes the book a faster, smoother, more enjoyable read, because it reads more like a novel than anything. In spite of the focus on specific games, hands, and strategies, it truly is a story about one man's ambitious, crazy, exciting dream, and his thoughts along the way.

So if you love poker, I highly recommend this fun, unique, addicting book. And if you don't love poker, I highly recommend this fun, unique, addicting book. Who knows-- you might just pick up a new hobby. Or not.

And remember, if there's a mid-list book that you love, write a review and email it me at doingitwrite@gmail.com. I'll post it under a guest reviewers section. We can work to save mid-list authors!