Every Hand Revealed
by Gus Hansen
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Book Reviews of Every Hand Revealed
Book Review: Highly enjoyable book about poker thought processes, not "HOW PLAY POKAH"
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a very refreshing and fun read. You do have to know the basics of no-limit Texas hold-em, and have some basic understanding of the theory behind the game, but you don't need to be an expert to enjoy this book and get something out of it. It is NOT a book on how to play. It is a deep examination of how Gus thinks about each and every hand at the table, including many that would be ignored as inconsequential by others, but always with a reason. For examply, he will include a hand where everyone folds to his big blind and gives him a walk. Not very interesting in itself, but it's included because in this case Gus is a stubborn blind defender, and an occasional walk is the benefit he reaps for his stubborn defense earlier in the game.
In analyzing every hand he plays (and he plays a lot of hands), he also lets you in on the key skills that are required to play loose-aggressive, namely putting people on hand ranges and playing accordingly and relentless pressure in the right spots, plus when to just let it go. I found his analysis insightful.
In addition, the book is just damn well written and fun to read. This is one of the books I carry around just to crack open occasionally to a random page. Gus can be quite funny, and this book is a great relief from the dryness that afflicts so much of poker literature.
In terms of what kind of poker book this is, I'd put it in a category with Greenstein's Ace on the River, with the following differences: Ace is more accessible to the layman, and Every Hand Revealed is more deeply engrossing from a theory standpoint.
Book Review: Best poker book ever read - no exaggeration
Summary: 5 Stars
Hansen has told us every secret, every though-process, every musing that he experiences throughout a tournament, a tournament in which he won $1.5 million. I was amazed at how frank he was during EVERY SINGLE HAND. Yes, every hand he didn't fold, he analyzes. And its not just, bet, get check-raised, fold...kind of analysis. He explains, in minute detail, why he makes EVERY decision. What amazed me is the extraordinary amount of work it must have been to write out and record, every flop, every suit, every turn and river, every decision the other person makes, right down to the opponent squirming in their seat. It is obvious, this man has an incredible memory to provide such details. All this information simply could not be recorded or written in the time frame it takes to deal one hand to the next.
I used to think this man sold his soul to the devil when I saw him on the World Poker Tour. The enlightening thing is, he actually plays the quality hands for the huge pots, and simply limps or puts in a light raise, in position, with the rags you see him play on TV. Really gives you the confidence to pull the trigger yourself with such poor holding, given the detailed instruction.
The final point, and the best one, is that you actually feel like you are at the table in the seat next to him. The book works like a well-scripted movie, from opening scene of him receiving his chips to the final act of winning it all. The best thing is, it's not scripted one bit. The book is not dry in the least, and in many parts, quite humorous.
A ***** poker book. Thumbs way up!
Book Review: A very good book, but does not answer all questions
Summary: 4 Stars
Every Hand Revealed is a different book as compared to other poker books. Gus Hansen has brought in this book a lot of practical play, rather than mudane theory and mathematics. This book, as the title suggests, is about all the hands he played in a tournament-winning performance.
He explains in a very lucid way the logic behind all his decisions at the poker table. He also explains the mistakes that he made and what could have been the more appropriate course of action. The book is entertaining and easy to read, and helps us know how top players play poker.
However, this book does not answer all questions that we might have about his tournament play. First and foremost, this book is not the correct one if you are looking to know the basics of math involved in poker. This book assumes you know the mathematical basics. Also, Gus Hansen has jotted down all the hands that he played. But he does not mention what type of hands he folded pre-flop. There are lots of bad cards that he played with (5-3 offsuite, for example), and he gives good reasoning for those plays, but he never talks about similar hands that he might have folded and reasons for those folds.
One more thing that I felt required more explanation was the reason behind selecting the amount of raise or re-raise. He mentions his raise amount, but does not delve into details of what made him decide that particular amount.
All in all, a very instructive and entertaining book that I would certainly recommend. But be ready to have some unknowns at the end of the read.
Book Review: The inner game
Summary: 5 Stars
I have to agree with others here. This one of the best poker books to come along in a long time.
While pros making videos of their poker tournament victories are common online, this is the first time a serious player has explained an entire tournament in print -- a live brick-and-mortar tournament!
The narrative is detailed and honest; it shows that even Hansen nods with some way-off decisions. This frankness only increases the usefulness of the book as other pro poker players tend to gloss over their trouble hands in their writing. Simply put, they often display the Phil Hellmuth attitude: "I'm great and when I needed to, I sucked out." You just know players like Mr. Hellmuth are getting uncanny reads on opponents' hands, but they don't explain the thought process.
Then too, sometimes Mr. Hansen makes the right decision, but the cards don't cooperate. It's enlightening to see him handle this and go on to win without getting tilted off his game. (Is it just me or why is it that best online players are unflappable? There's a Chuck Yeager quality to their voices.)
The book is easy to follow without making you slog through complex math, yet this player is always aware of the numbers involved in crucial decisions.
I hope Mr Hansen and other world-class players do more of this "poker tournament diary" writing, IF they dare. Hansen says he's not worried that other players will now read him like a book, because he claims he can change gears at will. I hope he didn't give away the store with this groundbreaking poker book.
Book Review: Help yourself, buy this book !!!
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm only 100 pages into this book but I've decided to write my 1st Amazon review anyway! The book is so great it deserves it.
Amazingly enough, I think it reads like a novel. I'm just compelled to follow the 'Madman' hand after hand, as if I were in the 'Being John Malkovitch' movie (nothing to do with Teddy KGB, of course ;-))
I've read Slansky, Brunson, Harrington and many others; and I value Harrington for all he did to my gameplay ... but this is way beyond!
Once you know the essentials about Poker, like odds, hand requirements, the few techniques the everyday-player has, then you just have to open this book and enter in Wonderland!
It gives so many insights about the game that I decided to comment on it immediately!
I'm a conservative rock-like player, but thanks to this book I've just discovered the only one way to understand the true essence of Poker through the aggressive approach of the Danish genius.
It has nothing to do with hands' selection or your table position ... the truth is in your head, how imaginative you are, how clever you can be.
In my opinion, this is the most challenging book of them all: are you able to think? That's what the Master's asking you: Are you able to enter you opponent's mind while you focus on your sometimes-shaky strategy?
I'm only just French, so I lack the words to tell you how great this book is.
But if you believe me, you just buy it ... and it'll add to your bankroll before you even realize it!