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"Ace on the River" levels playing field

By Chuck Blount...on poker
August, 2005

Most poker books currently on the market cater to beginning players and focus the majority of the content on things like starting hands, pot odds and other simple concepts to start budding players in the right direction.

What's lacking on the shelves is a book to move your game to the next level after you've already attained notable experience. This is where Barry Greenstein's recently released "Ace on the River: An Advanced Poker Guide" takes you.

One of the most respected and successful players in poker; Greenstein plays and dominates the biggest cash games in poker. Known as the "Robin Hood of Poker" for his charitable donations with his tournament poker winnings, he is as good as it gets.

With his new book, Greenstein gives readers deep insight into his thinking process on all things poker from the actual play itself to the social stigmas associated with it.

It is fitting that the 316 pages are filled with over 200 impressive full-color photographs, because "Ace on the River" truly is a snapshot of a world unknown to most. It is available for $25, and it's worth every penny with its rich and innovative content.

Greenstein has even set up a fun and informative website, barrygreenstein.com, to help readers with the book and email questions.

The book is filled with information that I've thought about at times, but had never seen fully explained in print before. He is the first to document my sometimes-used "Martingale Strategy" when I steam after a big loss, where you continue to double the stakes until you break even (not recommended).

One of Greenstein's more amusing lessons refers to profitable game selection, where he compares it to bowling, of all things. His analogy: If you are a 170-average bowler, you should be playing with the 150-average bowlers instead of the 190-average bowlers, because that game possesses a winning expectation. Move on to the 190-average game only when your average creeps up to 191.

Greenstein hammers the point home that poker is no longer about basic strategy as you creep up the limits from the low stakes ($4-8 or less) to big limits ($1000-2000 and up). Players must evolve to picking up on betting mannerisms and patterns with every player at the table.

Designed as a handbook of sorts for the poker lifestyle, "Ace on the River" also recognizes many of the pitfalls associated with it. Greenstein advises players to approach the game with businesslike tendencies, where you must protect your bankroll and avoid addictive vices like sports betting and craps tables.

"You have to come to terms with the compulsive gambler inside of you," Greenstein writes. "Successful gamblers are compulsive winners. They know how to exploit an advantage, but if they were less intelligent of less skilled, they might have ended up in Gamblers Anonymous."

You read this book and the theme of individual responsibility and accountability take center stage over the gambling life-style the general public likes to place on poker players. Sure, Greenstein will tell you to go head and throw a costly bluff into the pot from time to time, but he'll also fully explain the logic behind it.

"Ace on the River" is not a book for beginners and is designed for higher-stakes players who aspire to generate tremendous income from the game.

Greenstein acknowledges that in the introduction of the book, and for this reason, I would not advise this book as a first for those new to poker.

But if you are an experienced player, this book is an essential read.

Got a poker question of comment? E-mail Chuck at cblount@express-news.net