For Richer, For Poorer: A Love Affair with Poker by Victoria Coren

I’d always quite liked the idea of this book. I know little about poker, but I find it intriguing, and I’ve enjoyed Victoria Coren’s writing in the past. Honestly, though, I never expected to enjoy this as much as I did. Her absolute love of the game and its history comes through on every page.

It covers an interesting time for poker, since as the book starts it’s still a game kept broadly within the confines of casinos, the odd seedy club and a few home games, but by the end of the book, it’s one of the biggest games being played worldwide.

The book probably contains some good hints for people who know their poker. Since I can only really speak for people that don’t know their poker, I can say that it also contains a good amount of info for someone pretty much aware of the rules, but of little else. The ins and outs of the games are spread out through the chapters as well, so although you’ll come across some poker theory from time to time, most of the story involves the tales of Coren’s own playing and the people she comes across, who are an unusually interesting bunch.

If you’re interested in poker, even vaguely, I recommend this as a good read.

(For Richer, For Poorer: A Love Affair With Poker on Amazon)

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