The Book of Bluffs Review

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Title: Book of Bluffs
Author: Matt Lessinger
Publisher: Warner Books
Retailer(s): Amazon, most major retail/online bookstores.
Average Price: Currently $11.35 on Amazon

Overview

Card Player magazine columnist Matt Lessinger brings us what may be the first poker book dedicated solely to bluffing. The “Book of Bluffs” is a well written, easy to read poker book. Even if you don’t learn anything (unlikely) from the book, most poker players will likely enjoy this book.

Format

The first two chapters explored some of the general concepts needed for successful bluffing. Chapters three through ten cover seven specific types of bluffs, with actual hand examples and analysis of what worked or didn’t, and why. The final chapter details some of the more memorable bluffs at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), with the analysis augmented by interviews with the players involved in the hands.

Chapter 1

Details other basic concepts you need to use to create a successful bluff. Many of them you may instinctively already know or have read elsewhere, but bringing instincts up to my conscious level always helps me take things to the next level.

Chapter 2

“Uncovering Patterns”, will help you learn what to focus on as you dig for good intel at the table. Matt also shows you how to apply this new found information to your advantage.

Chapter 3

"Basic Bluffs", details out nine of the most basic bluffs. You are sure to be familar with most all of these, where Matt adds value is in explaining how and WHEN they SHOULD be used.

Chapter 4

"Attacking Weakness (Drawing Hands)" explores four example bluffs when the opponent appears to be drawing.

Chapter 5

"Attacking Weakness (Other Hands)" more examples of going after opponents who show some weakness.

Chapter 6

"Representing Strength" seven useful examples.

Chapter 7

"The Implied Threat" details out betting when a scare card hits. This chapter also details out why you need to know your opponents stack size.

Chapter 8

"Online Bluffs". The "call push" and "bluff against a multichip bettor" give you some more ammo for your online battles.

Chapter 9

"Unusual Bluffs". My favorite from this chapter is "tipping with the nuts". Here you tip several times before the hand is done when you flop the nuts. Then when you have nothing you pre-tip and make a big raise.

Chapter 10

"Bail-Out Bluffs". This is a collection of bluffs by players that have put themselves into very bad situations and now have to try to bail themselves out of the trouble. Most of these are likely to fail, your better off staying out of those situations.

Chapter 11

"WSOP Bluffs and Interviews", this chapter details out some of the more memorable bluffs from the WSOP with interviews of the people involved. Giving you a chance to get inside the heads of the superstars of poker.

Reviewer's Comments

Matt doesn’t waste any time getting to something good. The first section of chapter one was worth the price of the book for me. Titled “Twelve Bluffing Proverbs”, he provides twelve bluffing truisms. If you can properly apply the twelve proverbs you are well on your way to a successful bluffing career.

The two most powerful proverbs to me are numbers eight and nine. They are closely related to each other. Number eight: “A good bluff tells a story that the victim believes and understands” (pg 5). This one Matt borrowed from Jim Brier because as Matt puts it “it was so good that I told him I absolutely had to use it.”

Number nine is my personal favorite: “A good bluff should be misleading, but not confusing.” (pg 5). Confused opponents are calling opponents, so save the confusion for when you have the nuts.

All in all this is a very worthwhile 200+ pages for any poker player looking to improve their game when the cards don’t want to help your results.