The Godfather of Poker

by Mike Cochran and Doyle Brunson

Book Overview

Fascinating true-life adventure of an American treasure, a man who bluffed death, survived the mean streets of Fort Worth and mob-run Las Vegas, and bet millions of dollars on everything from poker to... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1580422578
• ISBN13: 9781580422574
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Cardoza Publishing
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 1.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 6.5" x 9.4"

Customer Reviews

The best book this year!

This 'gentle'man was full of wonderful surprises. A great read and would make a very interesting movie! For all the poker lovers and even readers that have never played, it gives a whole new perspective on the game. Doyle Brunson is a charming, compasionate, and witty man. The book ended too soon! Loved all the "Doyleisms" and golf stories. Would love to shake his hand.

Like you were talking over a beer...

I really enjoyed this book. The first few pages grab you by the throat and pull into Doyle's world right away. I could barely stand to put the book down, as I wanted to know what happened next. There are many things you will learn, that you did not know about Doyle or the poker world in general. While the writing in the book is not polished or elegant, I would not have it any other way. I am glad that Doyle did not let his writings get edited in such a way that is no longer him talking. I know some of the chief complaints are that the book drones on from time to time, or that it has a lot of random tangents. That is what I like about it; it speaks as if you were conversing at a bar over a beer. The stories are matter-of-fact, with no icing on the cake. He just tells it as it is. I highly recommend this book to any poker fan or even anyone who wants to hear an the story of one's interesting life.

Powerful and real

I just finished this great book and feel like I've gone all in, nearly busted out, and then won big at the end. As a poker addict myself, I can say that for any serious Hold 'em player or fan, this book is a must-read. In his own folksy, Texas voice, Doyle relates to us most of the amazing events of his life such as his upbringing in rural Texas, his dangeous years playing poker in northern Fort Worth and along the Texas Circuit, his brushes with the mob in Vegas, his near death with melanoma, his faith, and most cruelly and sadly, the death of first daughter. A real page turner. I was surprised to learn the extent of the poker cheating that went on before the major casinos finally cleaned it up. I was impressed, as always, by Doyle's brutal honesty and character. For a self-described "obsessive gambler" who still often bets over a million dollars at the poker table or per a single hole of golf, to have become a successful multi-millionaire and have a happy family life is quite amazing. His two children, Todd and Patricia are both championship poker players themselves. Lots of interesting poker hands are discussed here, some no doubt for the first time. There are also a ton of great anecdotes, mostly funny but some very dark. His friendships and experiences with other poker greats including Chip Reese, Stu Ungar, Amarillo Slim and Johnny Moss (to name a few), are equally fascinating. Doyle Brunson is truly a living legend. Read it.

The greatest

Thia is a great book for true poker players and fans. It is a great insight into how it all started and what real danger these guys faced.

Wonderful Early Road Stories: I Was There.

This wonderful, must-read, classic tells true stories of many people I knew and played poker with including, World Champions: Johnny Moss, Amarillo Slim Preston, Sailor Roberts, Bill Smith, Jack "Treetop" Straus, and also, Pat Renfro, James "Tennessee Longgoodie" Roy, John "Austin Squatty" Jenkins, Doc Ramsey, Paul Harvey, Tuffy Hufstedler, George McGann, Joe Floyd, and Tooter Leyland, who robbed them. This absolute treasure is not just for poker players. I am finished with my Christmas shopping. All the Texans, meaning my list, get this fantastic story of a brilliant man, who has really had some experiences to share with one and all. Congrats, Doyle! The cheats, the cons, the robbers, the square players, the big scores, the dry pockets, and paying some dues out on the road. It is all here, and more. You will absolutely love this book. I'll lay you box car odds. Texas Poker Wisdom