Book Review: The 50 Greatest Stories in Poker History

The 50 Greatest Stories in Poker History was published by Huntington Press in October 2021. It is a short, easy-to-digest, and entertaining book about poker history.

Instead of a long, continuous narrative about how the world’s favorite card game developed, it’s giving you 50 short stories all about poker. These stories are fascinating snapshots of poker’s history. The chapters are in chronological order, so by the end of this new poker history book, you will have a comprehensive look at how poker got from its earliest stages to the global industry that it is today.

The Chapters in the 50 Greatest Stories in Poker History

The earliest story is all the way back from 1836. It is about an American soldier serving in the ‘Dragoon Regiment“ of the US Army. He's trying to organize an evening of “rational enjoyment” with his fellow men. However, there is just one problem – his Major “just lost some cool hundreds last night at poker”, and thus he is not in a forbearing mood.

You’ll also read about Richard Nixon, the 37th President of the United States (and the only one having to resign from the office), building enough of a bankroll from playing poker in the US Navy to help fund his first campaign for the House of Representatives. You’ll read about the “most dubious” heads-up match between the first-ever WSOP Main Event winner Johnny Moss and Nick “the Greek” Dandolos; as well as a call with 10-high on the river by the legendary Stu Ungar that is forever cemented into poker history.

There are plenty of stories from the modern era as well. The book has a chapter about the long and arduous internet feud between two poker greats, Doug Polk and Daniel Negreanu. It started with a rake increase by PokerStars and ended in a fierce, $200/$400 No Limit Hold’em heads-up challenge – as well as new-found respect for each other for the two former nemeses. The stories also include the one about Instagram “bad boy” Dan Bilzerian, and whether or not he got his much-flaunted wealth from poker as he claims. They also include the most infamous cheating scandals the game of poker has ever seen. Those are the stories of “potripper” on the now defunct online poker site Absolute Poker, and Mike Postle’s case at Stones Gambling Hall.

On top of all that, you’ll also read about the biggest loser in online poker history, the biggest online tournament winner in poker history, and the biggest buy-in tournament ever in poker history.

How to Buy The 50 Greatest Stories in Poker History

You can buy this fun, new poker history book directly from the publisher by clicking here; or order it from Amazon by clicking here. Shipment is free of charge for United States residents if you place your order on either site.

Pick up your copy now.