Poker Faces

by David Hayano

This anthropological approach to the rewards and problems of poker-playing as a profession distinguishes between the legitimate, independent player, the cheat, and the compulsive bettor

Genres: Nonfiction

217 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sociologist studies the world of draw poker in California. Can't remember the era, but i believe it was the 1980s. Interesting in the contrast between what The Poker Scene looked like before the poker boom (created by the Internet & televised tournaments). Hayano's goal was to mine their deepest motivations for playing the game. To do so, he had to become a Playa and get into the game.

I really enjoyed this book but Hayano's text seems insistent on being dry and cool and detached enough to ensure that his fellow sociologists would admit it as valid research.

[Sanjiv · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched book on California Poker rooms. The games information is dated, but the rest is timeless. I want this for my shelf at home