77 Ways to Get the Edge at Casino Poker

The title sounded like a cheesy "get rich quick" magic formula, but I found the book to be full of down-to-earth, informative poker logic. The "77 ways" simply takes one poker strategy scenario at a time, and explains its underlying purpose in detail. It does this with general poker concepts first, like the subjects of check-raising or pot odds, then follows the same format with four different casino poker games. Each strategy point involves only two or three pages accompanied by an illustrated hand to show its use. This made it easy to study and digest just one concept for 10 minutes, then put the book down for another time. It is also very easy to go back and refer to a particular concept after you've played a session. I thought the strategy explanations were clear and educational, particularly in the two high-low split games of Omaha-8-or-better and 7 Card Stud-8-or-better. The other two games covered in the book were straight 7 Stud and Texas Hold'em. This was definitely a thinking man's book that teaches you what you're trying to make happen when you play poker.

I would not recommend this book for beginners, but for those players who have moved into mid or upper limits it is a solid piece. Some of the concepts are basic because he has to make the book appealing to a wide audience but I found the hidden gems of information useful. The organization of the book, a series of 77 concepts, is excellent. There are no references to low limit games, which is refreshing. The author makes a point of avoiding discussion on low limit because, and I agree with him, low limit has too many exceptions to the rules of normal conduct. For poker players like myself who wish to dabble outside the realm of Hold'em, the pointers on Razz, Studd and PLO are very good.

I am a very serious poker player and I play several times a week. I've read most of the poker literature. This book is one of the best. It looks at 77 concepts and analyzes the play of various types of hands based on these concepts. I thought the book was thorough, well written and intellectually challenging. If you play poker this belongs right up there with Sklansky's best work. Renzey obviously knows the various games and he has a marvelous way of teaching his points. But this is not a beginner's book.