Leader of the Pack

Successful gamblers have their secrets to success. Most of them keep those secrets to themselves. They may share a thought or a move to an associate, but they rarely explain the foundation behind their thinking that helps them to continue to win while others are losing.

When Doyle Brunson stunned the poker world by publishing his book 'Super System' a couple of decades ago, professional poker players were convinced their way of life had ended.

Brunson was one of the most successful poker players of all time. He dominated the game much like Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus overpowered the game of golf. The poker pros thought that Doyle had lost his mind in telling the world how the game should really be played.

But Doyle shrugged off their criticisms. He knew what he was doing and why he was doing it. A high style player like Brunson is constantly changing his strategy to stay ahead of his opposition. Doyle knew that he could overcome the other players at the table regardless of what tactics they used since he had developed those tactics in the first place.

I met Brunson a couple of years before he published 'Super System.' Being an author, journalist and ghostwriter, I was impressed with his life story and suggested to him that he write a book. He seemed interested in the idea and actually gave me a go-ahead signal on the proposal.

I dropped the ball. I didn't move ahead on the book because Doyle lived in Las Vegas, I lived in Phoenix, AZ., and Doyle wasn't interested in fronting me with funds to cover my work. He was interested in the fifnal product and thought the book would pay off for both of us. He was right, of course, but I was left out of the picture when he went along with another writer to turn out the complex manuscript.

Since Doyle's book, scores of gambler-writers have written systems for nearly all the games of chance that gambling casinos offer. All you need to do is visit Barnes and Noble or yoour public library to see the results of those writers. They offer strategy books on horse racing, blackjack, dice, roulette, slots, baccarat, poker and all the other games of chance.

Not the all of the published books are quality. Some are written just for the royalties. Doyle took the unprecedented step of really telling what he knew in order to give people the best information he could supply. Some of the boos published since 'Super System' fall far short of the mark. All they do is relate anecdotal stories on the gambler-writer without dipping into the real reason for that gambler's success.

I recently picked up a copy of 'Super Syste' at Half Price Books in Phoenix. when Brunson released the book, he priced it at $100 per copy. The price has dropped considerably since then and i got my copy for $6.50.

The advice offered in 'Super System' is still relevant in today's poker world. The chapters written by Chip Reeves, David Sklansky, Mike Caro and other authors hand-picked by Brunson give strategy that is nearly as effective today as it was when Doyle put the book together.

Doyle recently celebrated his 82nd birthday. Hats off to him. He continues to be one of the best strategists in the game off poker, and everyone who plays the game should salute him.

Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.

(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).