For Richer For Poorer

That's the title of a pretty good poker book written by a pretty good English poker player by the name of Victoria Coren. This book is basically an auto biography of her life.

Vicky takes you through her 20 year obsession with the game of Poker. It started in the back rooms of poker clubs in England through her trips to Las Vegas to play in some WSOP events including several Main Events. Its a fascinating and comical look at life as women poker player especially in the early days when she was afraid to go to the underground clubs in England by herself as she would be the only lady playing.

As her game progresses and poker moves more mainstream she takes you through those days to giving several insights into old time players like Slim Preston and Doyle Brunson to the new breed like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negraneau. She gives a lot of humorous thoughts on players at the table and her own battles with depression and trying to make it as a poker player.

It culminates with her huge win at the EPT London event where she wins a million dollars and becomes a sponsored by Pokerstars. The book goes into detail of her victory at that event but does it in a great way by putting her thoughts and hands throughout the book while she keeps telling her story. I wasn't really familiar with Vicky before this although I had seen her on a couple poker shows from England that are broadcast here in Canada. In this book Vicky isn't afaid of poking fun at herself and comes acroos as someone you would want to get to know.

I found the book a pretty good read although at times it bogged down with some of her reflections on her favourite card room in England. Overall though I would definitely recommend the book.