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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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INTRODUCTION
by Doyle Brunson
I’d been toying with the idea of revising my Super/System for years,
but every time I discussed it with friends or fellow professional poker
players, I always heard the same response: “Why? Almost all the
advice in the book is as powerful today as it was twenty-seven years ago.
It doesn’t need a word changed.” Not one to go against the
advice of so many good folks, I put it off for a year, then another year,
and time kept sliding away like chips slipping off a poker table.
It’s mighty flattering to know that Super/System has stood the test
of time. And I’m glad it has, because when I think back about how
much time, money, and effort went into creating it, I shudder. I’d
let myself get talked into writing and financing the book. I convinced
the top five specialists in various poker games to collaborate with me.
None of us could have predicted how devoted to the project we would become.
I think we all got a little bit nuts while we were writing the original
version. Before long, we were running an informal contest to see who could
contribute the most information to help people play better poker. And
all of us swore that we’d never give up any of the key secrets that
had helped us build our bankrolls, but eventually we found ourselves giving
up everything that had taken us years to learn by the seat of our pants.
All those secrets …
If you think that’s crazy, listen to this: I not only let myself
get talked into producing the book, I got suckered into forming a whole
big company just to publish and promote it. It wasn’t some mom-and-pop
operation either—I went the whole nine yards. Rented an office building,
bought the very latest computer typesetting equipment, hired a staff of
graphic artists, editors, and receptionists, set up a marketing department,
and even bought a commercial photo developer—all to publish one
book! You might be thinking that nothing like that had ever happened in
the history of publishing, and you may be right. Only a bunch of poker
players could’ve dreamed up such a thing—sane people would’ve
had better sense. And it only took me nigh on to twenty years to cover
my investment. But you know what? It was worth it!
When I think about the people I chose as my expert collaborators way back
in ’77, the list reads like a “Who’s Who of the Most
Influential People in the World of Poker.” They were all young men
back then, in their late twenties to early thirties—I was the senior
statesman at age forty-four. When you pick a group of people that young
from among hundreds of outstanding prospects, you’d be lucky to
see one or two of them go on to great success. But my team has flourished
amazingly and has stood the test of time, just like the book they helped
create. You’ll find them all over the pages and often the covers
of both poker and mainstream publications and even on TV. So, yes, I’m
mighty proud that I trusted my instincts and had the foresight to select
them.
Almost all of the poker principles in Super/System are still applicable
today, and that’s why you’ll find them on these pages, along
with analyses of more games and the unveiling of new secrets. When I decided
to publish Super/System 2, the task seemed monumental to this seventy-year-old
poker player who, after all these years, is still active in his chosen
profession. But today’s explosion in the popularity of poker has
kept me inspired to push forward with Super/System 2, in which we have
adapted our writings to account for the dramatic changes that have taken
place in the world of poker over the past few decades. Today’s younger
players rising through the ranks, playing alongside old-timers who used
decks of cards as baby rattlers when they were still in the crib, are
playing a different brand of poker than we played in the old days. And
we’re playing new poker games that we didn’t play back them,
so I’ve drafted some new people to join my original team of writers.
ORIGINAL SUPER/SYSTEM TEAM
I’m very proud of my group of collaborators on the original Super/System—let’s
take a look at them before I introduce you to my new team members. You’ll
meet them as you read the chapters.
Mike Caro, who wrote the draw poker and statistics sections, was a draw
poker champion when I first met him, but he has mastered all forms of
poker since then. He’s a legendary player and poker strategist known
the world over as “The Mad Genius of Poker.” In fact, Mike
has become the strategic analyst of choice for many of today’s top
professional players. He reached an even wider audience a few years ago
when he founded the Mike Caro University of Poker, devoted to educating
aspiring players. His books, videos, and seminars clearly rank among the
most sought after in the history of poker. Mike is an integral part of
Super/System 2. Believe me, I would never have attempted to write this
book without him.
If I had to choose someone to play for the survival of my family, it would
be Chip Reese. “The best of the best!” are the words that
Lyle Berman used to introduce Chip when he was inducted into the Poker
Hall of Fame in 1991. At the age of 39, he was the youngest person ever
awarded that honor. Chip was a very young poker player in 1977, right
out of Dartmouth, when I asked him to write the seven-card stud chapter.
In addition to his expertise at stud, a game at which I still believe
he is the best ever, he has evolved into the world’s premier all-around
player. I would without hesitation bet on Chip against anyone who dares
face him in mixed games.
Chip can consistently be found in the biggest games in the world. He has
played in France, Germany, England, Australia, Greece, Ireland, and South
Africa. Although he doesn’t play many tournaments, Chip has won
three World Series of Poker bracelets for seven-card stud, stud high-low
split, and razz. Years ago he won a no-limit hold’em tournament
and placed second in a deuce-to-seven tournament, while playing the two
events simultaneously. Now that’s what I call being versatile!
David Sklansky, who collaborated with me on seven-card stud high-low split,
has generated a following of devoted poker enthusiasts, while proving
himself among the most capable players. David has chosen to play a broad
range of games, from middle to high limits and has been successful at
all of them. Like Mike Caro, he has terrific insight into all poker games
and has put his theories and plays into very readable strategy, producing
some of the most highly regarded poker books in the world. He also has
acted as a top advisor to casino owners and executives, and has tutored
many of the world’s foremost professional players. I recommend that
every poker player read his books.
Bobby Baldwin hardly needs to be introduced, as just about everybody in
gaming is familiar with his great success story. After winning the main
event at the World Series of Poker in 1978, Bobby left professional poker
and went into casino management. Within a short time, he had climbed to
the top of the ladder and today is considered by his peers to be the premier
gaming executive in the world. President of the multi-billion dollar Bellagio
Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Bobby also acts as CEO of the Mirage Corporation.
Somehow he still finds time to get together with us for some friendly
high-stakes poker every now and then. In 2003 he was inducted into the
Poker Hall of Fame.
With the exception of Joey Hawthorne, that completes the list of my original
collaborators. Here’s the sad part: Joey died from a drug overdose
while he was still in his forties, and his brilliant career didn’t
have time to get off the ground. God, I hate drugs! If he were still with
us today, Joey probably would be a part of this new edition.
Along with my old standbys, Mike and Bobby, I’ve chosen my newest
group of collaborators carefully, and I hope that twenty-seven years from
now, their success in poker and in life will be as outstanding as my original
group.
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