All in

by Jerry Yang, Mark Tabb (Contributor)

In this intimate profile of an unlikely poker champion, the life story of Yang is laid out--from his difficult Hmong childhood to his success as a professional poker player.

Genres: Nonfiction

323 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Errol Mortland · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're by chance familiar with Don Lao's "I Became the Boat People: A Refugee's Path to America" - a superb read - then complement it here with Mr. Yang's similar 1975 refugee family journey, from Laos to the USA, in "All in." You want a reality check from the usual whining we do waiting at some new restaurant? Here you go.

There is one major spoiler: Mr Yang follows the usual Asian refugee path in Amerca - study hard, work your ass off, and the dream falls in place - but then the road diverges slightly as he randomly watches his first poker game on TV, and two years later, wins the frigging WORLD SERIES of POKER. I remember watching that final table on ESPN in 2007 wondering, "who the heck is this guy?"

Well now I know. And his family story is intercut throughout the book with his poker story, a technique I find annoying, but screw my enititlement - does the Americam Dream get much better than this? You'll blitz through this book, the appendices are actually the best FAQ sheets on poker strategy I've come across, and you can see everything Mr. Yang recounts about his WSOP on YouTube. There's just no way you'll finish "All in" without thinking, "Well gosh darn it, good for him." No, really.

[Emily Mitnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read. Highly recommend!!

[TC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unlike most poker-player memoirs, this one seems aimed at non-aficionados. Much of the author's tale is of his harrowing escape from Laotian communists in the 1970s into Thailand; he spends less time on his four years in refugee camps there, and even less on his eventual emigration to the US and his adjustment to life in a strange land. He juxtaposes this with his own run to win poker's highest honor, the World Series Main Event, in 2007 (along with its $8M prize), only two years after taking up the game.

If you are someone who normally wants more in-depth poker drama, this has little, though he describes a few important and memorable hands in his WSOP Main Event tournament that are very well told, with that unbearable tension that can make the game so exciting. He is clearly a very self-disciplined and thoughtful player (he does offer a few pages of "basic tips" for beginners in the back, which mostly discuss common-sense points on controlling emotions and practicing bankroll discipline).

If you're someone who could care less about poker, you will still find this book very interesting, especially in his first-hand account of the Pathēt Lao's takeover of Laos in the mid-1970's and their accompanying atrocities.

Overall, the author presents a clear and easy-to-read narrative that is inspiring, yet free of hubris and melodrama. Compared to other poker memoirs that are usually filled with drugs, jails, hookers, and bankruptcy, this one could almost be used in a Wednesday-night church study group.

[Phil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid. Entertaining. Personal.

Jerry Yang, and co author Mark Tabb, effectively and efficiently tell the story of a Hmong man who fled Laos after the Vietnam War and came to America to become the winner of the 2007 World Series of Poker.

I would not say that this memoir is "inspirational" as it wasn't written to be overly dramatic or sensational. Certainly Yang's story inspires, and his recounting of his early life in Laos is gripping, but Yang did not play up his life in order to elicit overt emotion and sympathy. According to the story this was simply what happened to him; his experiences made him into the man he is today. Obviously the violence and horror and destitution that he lived through shaped him, but in the end, he wished to remain a Christian psychologist from Laos with a love for his family, a passion for poker, and the ability to live endure anything.

I very much enjoyed the non-sensational style of the book, the inside look at what it took for one man to win the biggest poker championship in the world, and the story of a life that says that no matter what, character is all that truly matters.

[Michael McGrinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought a little background on the World Series of Poker (WSOP) might be in order. This year's Main Event has just concluded. It began in July with a field of 6,450 entrants, professional and amateur. That figure is according to the event's TV commentators, though WSOP stats would add another 450. At the end of seven days of play, only nine players remained, called The November Nine because that's when they met again. Each of the nine players this year was guaranteed a minimum of one million dollars, with amounts increasing as other players were eliminated. The winner took down $7.7 million with second place getting close to $4.5 million, both players in their early twenties. A 61-year-old amateur won third place and nearly $3.5 million. In 2007 Jerry Yang was an amateur with a mere two-years poker-playing experience when he bested a field of 6,358 for a $8,439,642 payday.

I enjoy poker and play a non-monetary game online. I love watching the Main Event on TV. Yang's book was a vicarious pleasure for me.

[Chet Bush · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the good fortune to meet Mr. Yang before I read 'All In'. He was a very cordial and humble man, not what I had expected from a Main Event winner. 'All In' is the story of his life, from his childhood in Laos, during one of the most brutal periods in world history where untold numbers of innocents were slaughtered, to his family's escape to the United States and his victory at the WSOP Main Event. I would recommend this book to all Americans for a couple of reasons, first, Mr. Yang's dedication to his family, helping others and his hard work and perseverance should be an inspiration to all of us, and, we who are fortunate enough to be born in the United States often fail to realize and understand the incredibly difficult circumstances with which people around the world must contend in order to survive. Winning the World Series of Poker's Main Event did not make Mr. Yang a success, he was already successful, winning the topurnament merely made him famous.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story, all the more so because I knew Jerry when he was at Pacific Union College. He was one of my Biology students. I knew some of his story of fleeing Laos, so it was great to read more. Amazing story simply told.

[Gabby-Lily Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 / 5

[Shawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book; just okay, for me.

[Paul Carr · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jerry Yang's remarkable story, from refugee camp to '07 WSOP champ. Not written all that well, but interesting enough & a fast read.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little heartwarming story. I didn't find the writing style particularly impressive, but I was happy to learn about this man's life.

[Jane Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Merced and know Jerry. My book has been signed by him. He is a great guy and very committed to our community.

[Karen Lawler · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a poker aficionado, but this is a great read and great message to go with the story