By
Lenny |
Published
Dec 23 2005, 01:00 PM
Positively Fifth Street
by James
McManus
This
book is half poker journal and half murder mystery/courtroom drama.
McManus alternates chapters between his experience at the 2000 World
Series of Poker and accounts of the controversial trial for the murder
of Ted Binnion. Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish are the defendants in the
case and they are quite the couple, she a stripper turned kept woman
and he a contractor with a checkered past.
As a
poker fiend you
may find yourself skipping over these chapters (I definitely skimmed
them on occasion) but amidst all the drama and sordid details of the
case you get an inside look on the lives of the Binions, an old-school
gaming family that run the Horseshoe like Casinos should be rather
than
glitzy theme-parks for America’s vacationers.
As for
the poker,
it is an entertaining read. McManus is an amateur player who takes his
shot at the big time in the main event in 2000. His path through
satellites, crash course in poker theory and his time at the tables is
a fun read that can actually give you some food for thought for the
way
you play. One can only read so much Sklansky before your eyes fall out
of your head, and the more literary poker writing can provide an
entertaining diversion for the poker fan, and a close reading can
provide valuable insight into your own game.
The
most memorable
parts of the book are McManus’ confrontations with T.J. Coutier in
various stages of the tournament. He describes each decision and
situation in exquisite detail, bringing the reader right into the pot
with him, pulse pounding with each turn of the cards. I highly
recommend this book as it is well written, fun to read and I even
learned a bit while I wasn’t looking.
To buy this
book on Amazon.com click here:
Positively Fifth Street