Shuffle Up and Deal

Shuffle Up and Deal
Mike Sexton
HarperCollins
2005
ISBN 0-06-076251-9

     Shuffle up and Deal, written by Mike Sexton, is pretty much what I expected it to be, but surprised me at the same time.  I expected that it would be a fun book with surface level strategies, some stories and lots of discussion about the WPT.  Yes...it's all of that, but there was a bit more than surface level strategies.  It also includes color pictures from the tour (Famous players, big piles of money, Shana Hiatt, and of course Mike Sexton), all of which aimed to make you wish you were there, and a poker primer DVD.  If you have never played, you get a general understanding of the game, but really the DVD is a WPT infomercial.  It's fun, but definately trying to sell the World Poker Tour.  Lou Diamond Phillips was the host and would have been a better DVD if Shana Hiatt was, because, well, she has a really nice voice.  I would have watched it more than once if she were the host.  (Yes, Dear...you can read all my reviews when I'm finished.)
     Actually, regarding the book content, the strategy discussions are good for: helping a new player get started, giving some added thought for the nearly advancing to intermediate player, giving confirmation of what an advanced player already knows.  The book does not go into to much advanced strategy, but does touch on points of aggression in places where it is needed.  This book is more styled toward tournament play.  It has a section on 'How to jump start your career', which is really pointless.  He could have just said, "Go play games".  Instead it reads, go play here, go play there, play online and start at low stakes, for about 4 pages.
     There is a chapter devoted to the online game and there are tips for playing your game online.  It wasn't too bad, but I believe, anyone that has played the game for any amount of time could figure these tips out, and if they had not, would eventually figure them out.  1.  Concentrate on the game...some discussion.  2.  Play for free but not for long...some discussion.  3.  Recognize that low-limit games are action oriented...some discussion.  4.  Realize that online play is speedy...discussion.  5.  Play in a game in which you are comfortable...talk amongst yourselves.  6.  Wait before you click...blah, blah.  7.  Schedule your online time wisely...ugh.  8.  Begin by playing small buy-in tournaments...ok enough already.  There are a couple more, but you know them instinctively.
     Overall I think this commercial, er...book was a fun read.  Kind of like watching Spongebob Squarepants for the advanced player, but with some good information for the younger player.  The book really is about hyping the WPT and trying to get players excited about trying to be part of it.  Mike Sexton isn't a great player, he is a very good player and he wouldn't say anything different.  He does have a good grasp of the game and relays that well for those needing a bit of help with strategies.
     I give the book a rating of 6 hearts out of 10.  I personally need a bit more meat, really don't desire to be famous and never cared about attempting to gain tremendous wealth, as advertised by the book.  (I write a free online blog under a pseudonym.)  But, I did enjoy the read, and, I watch Spongebob with my daughters sometimes.  I think many of you will enjoy it.  Take that for what it is worth.  I give the book a busted four flush shove in, which caused the opponent to fold.  At 19.95...I think I paid too much for the commercial.