Book Review: Tournament Poker and the Art of War by David Apostolico

I recently recieved this book and was looking forward to reading it. I have read a few books on how to play poker though this one has a different twist on play.

I am sure many of you are familiar with Sun-Tzu, its something I have had a minor interest in before. This book takes the workings of Sun-Tzu and applys them to tournament poker.

The author assumes that you already know how to play no limit holdem and tournament poker, this isn't a how to book. It aims to point out more how to approach tournaments and balance the act of survival and chip accumulation.

After the foreword by Andy Bloch and the introduction, you are introduced to the 10 principles outlined by Sun-Tzu and how they apply to tournament poker. After that there are individual break downs on each of the 10 principles, taking points and then directing them to your play.

Personally I found the book an interesting read and shifted my focus on how I now approach tournament play. The book teaches you more about not playing your cards so much and to using yours and your opponents stack size, posistion, number of players left, to your advantage.

You will gain a more psychological understanding of tournament play, where you should begin to start playing your opposing players cards more than your own.

It has been said that if you gain one thing from reading a book then it was worth reading it. Not only did I enjoy reading the book but I found it useful in the advancement of my play. I would recommend it to anyone who has been playing tournament poker and has read other books on tournament play. I wouldn't say its aimed at the total beginner and they would be better off getting some experience of play so they can better apply the advice.

While its title points at tournament play, you can also apply the strategies to sit and gos as well. They are at heart just one table tournaments. I fully intend to read it a couple of more times, as I still wonder off the trail of tournament poker enlightenment. Overall I recommend it and give it a big thumbs up.

lol nice review...lengthy

that was alot of writing

The Art of War andthe Dhammapada are always by my bed or with me when I'm in a B&M game. It gives me something to read on breaks. Very good stuff to keep yourself fresh in the mind.

Thanks for the review, i have been thinking of buying this book for a while, but never knew what is was about. Thanks, and great review.

Just ordered it from amazon

Very interesting aspect to tournement play I would say. Will most definetly take a look at it next time i'm in Barnes and Noble