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Play Winning Cribbage
This book you will learn the strategy and technique to playing Cribbage.
- GenresNonfictionGames
154 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 13, 2015
I wish I could go 4.5 stars.
The good:
According to the internet, this is considered the Bible of advanced cribbage play. Positive Amazon reviews on other books usually say, "This is the second best book, next to Play Winning Cribbage by DeLynn Colvert."
Colvert's love for cribbage oozes through through every sentence. It isn't flowery language... it's hard to describe. All the illustrations are by the author, and they are plentiful and useful. The other book I read had questions like: "Which would you discard from 2 3 4 Q K K?" This one's version would not write out "2 3 4 Q K K" but have an illustration of the hand. I have to say, even if those two questions are isomorphic, it is much easier to answer when you see the cards as opposed to the string of 6 characters. He isn't lazy, he will include face cards in his pictures when a ten would do. And each picture is clearly individually hand drawn.
His advice changed how I look at the game.
And he has some lovely things - like throughout there is a metaphor of you playing a particular villain. The intro mentions you are going to beat the villain 30% of the time by luck alone. So as we progress, we see that percentage grow. And there's this great point where he says "Okay. At THIS point - the other books stop. But WE are going to go on, so your percent can go from [] to []..."
It's a dry subject and he makes it lively. I am a math textbook author; I always admire that.
The bad:
Now be aware that this is just from my perspective.
I read the book, went to play cribbage, and had no idea what to do. The advice seemed to contradict itself, and there was SO MUCH information that it was paralyzing. The "easier" book I read was much more helpful to me.
I'm aware that is because of my level. In ten years, this book might be perfect for me. So I'd say 5 stars if you are already advanced, and 4 stars for me. I'd love to say 4.5 as a compromise.
The good:
According to the internet, this is considered the Bible of advanced cribbage play. Positive Amazon reviews on other books usually say, "This is the second best book, next to Play Winning Cribbage by DeLynn Colvert."
Colvert's love for cribbage oozes through through every sentence. It isn't flowery language... it's hard to describe. All the illustrations are by the author, and they are plentiful and useful. The other book I read had questions like: "Which would you discard from 2 3 4 Q K K?" This one's version would not write out "2 3 4 Q K K" but have an illustration of the hand. I have to say, even if those two questions are isomorphic, it is much easier to answer when you see the cards as opposed to the string of 6 characters. He isn't lazy, he will include face cards in his pictures when a ten would do. And each picture is clearly individually hand drawn.
His advice changed how I look at the game.
And he has some lovely things - like throughout there is a metaphor of you playing a particular villain. The intro mentions you are going to beat the villain 30% of the time by luck alone. So as we progress, we see that percentage grow. And there's this great point where he says "Okay. At THIS point - the other books stop. But WE are going to go on, so your percent can go from [] to []..."
It's a dry subject and he makes it lively. I am a math textbook author; I always admire that.
The bad:
Now be aware that this is just from my perspective.
I read the book, went to play cribbage, and had no idea what to do. The advice seemed to contradict itself, and there was SO MUCH information that it was paralyzing. The "easier" book I read was much more helpful to me.
I'm aware that is because of my level. In ten years, this book might be perfect for me. So I'd say 5 stars if you are already advanced, and 4 stars for me. I'd love to say 4.5 as a compromise.
June 14, 2013
Although not as funny as "How to Cheat at Cribbage: With Quotations from William Shakespeare" much more useful for learning how to a play a good game of cribbage.
You can read lengthy excerpts from the book (minus all the pictures) here:
http://www.cribbage.org/tips/colvert.asp
You can read lengthy excerpts from the book (minus all the pictures) here:
http://www.cribbage.org/tips/colvert.asp
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews