Ace on the River
Last Knight Publishing Company
(June 30, 2005)
328 pages
What strikes me as most interesting about this book is that it differs greatly from many of the other books that I've read regarding and related to poker. This was not an instructional book, with in depth odds discussion. It wasn't a book about the mechanical nature of a game, or a "how to." Instead Greenstein lays out his own poker history. In the beginning due to his intellect and education he was a mathametician of the game. Structured and calculating of the game. As he progressed the calculating and analytical mind was brought to bear on the opposing player at the table. No longer were the cards the only consideration...and never the money, but the man and the circumstances currently present on the table. Greenstein discusses his move upward in the poker world, from humble beginnings, moving up slowly as his skill improved with time, and dropping back at times as well, when he learned his game was not ready for another level. He like others, busted out at times. He tried never to go into debt to anyone, thinking that the circumstance was not something he was willing to be a part of. How in the long run it would affect his play and his overall character. He exudes confidence in his style. When I first saw Barry Greenstein play on the World Poker Tour, I thought he was arrogant, and geeky. The geeky part may have been right, seeing as he was formally educated as a mathametician. But my assessment of his arrogance was unfounded. His book, and writing style on the whole, is in a way humble. He was not prideful, not pushy, just matter of fact. His discussion almost clinical, but nevertheless engaging.
The most instructional or educational portion of Ace on the River is the individual hand discussion, calling upon a number of the hands that have been played out in his career at the tables. It wasn't always the monster hands that were impressive, but how he analyzed the competition, how he put them on a hand. Each turn of the card opened up possibilities, and was cause for him to evaluate and re-evaluate his opponent and all of his possible holdings. The logic was impressive, the thought process genius. The greatest thing that I take from this book is a desire to strive to that level of logic...and of intuition. From his book I want to be better, to develop the best game that I can, and then move beyond even that.
Regards,
cheer_dad
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