The sport of poker has undergone unprecedented growth in Australia since Melbourne’s own Joe Hachem was crowned the World Series of Poker champion in 2005.
Poker is now the ‘in-thing’ – it’s being played in pubs around the country, celebrities are clambering to be part of the latest TV poker products and Australia’s poker rooms can barely keep up with the demand for a seat during their peak periods.
So it’s appropriate that Australia’s first poker book, the Aussie Poker Guide, has recently been released.
Published by Wilkinson Publishing and written by Bluff Australasia editor-in-chief Sean Callander, the Aussie Poker Guide adds a distinct local bent to the game that is established in the mainstream consciousness of players all over the USA and Europe.
“The newer style of Hold’em poker has really only taken off in the past three or four years thanks to the advent of TV poker,” publisher Michael Wilkinson said.
“But poker in one form or another has a rich history, dating back to the days of the Wild West.
“The Aussie Poker Guide takes the best of poker’s long heritage – the great characters and the game’s impact on popular culture – and adds a distinctive flavour through our local champions, our signature event and the history of the game here.
“Having read dozens of poker books from the USA, it’s great to have a book that combines the best of both worlds.”
The Aussie Poker Guide also offers some basics tips and strategies that will provide beginners with the information to be able to confidently sit down at a table and play a few hands.
“Sure, there are plenty of ‘how to’ guides that will better suit experienced players, but the Aussie Poker Guide provides a tasty entrée before players go after the main course,” Wilkinson said.
The book was written against the backdrop of the 2006 World Series of Poker, where Callander was covering the event in his role as Bluff editor.
“It’s hard to think of a more appropriate setting to write a poker book than at the biggest event on the world poker stage, where Sean watched the greats of the game swap bets and bluffs,” Wilkinson said.
From the basics – how and where to play – through to holding the perfect home game and the ‘must-have’ movies for any poker players’ collection, you’ll find it in The Aussie Poker Guide, the perfect gift for any poker player.
• The Aussie Poker Guide is available at all good bookstores. RRP $24.95
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