Chapter 1: Action Venues
   Only Connecticut
   The Taj
   Reno on a Roll
   San Francisco
   No-Fold ‘em Hold ‘em in L.A.
   Pai Gow at the Bike
   Poker in Paris
   Cruisin’
   Poker on the Net

Chapter 2: Poker Folk
   Johnny Moss
   Puggy’s Ban
   Tricky Dicky
   Battle of the Sexes
   Poker Types
   Mason
   Hot Flashes
   Star Chasing
   Mr. Boyd Gets It Back
   Farewell Mr. Boyd
   Randolph Fields

Chapter 3: According to Hoyle
   Hold ‘em Basics
   Do You or Don’t You?
   Pump It or Dump It
   Tight as a Tortoise
   Heads Up
   Folding the Nuts
   High-Low Dilemma
   Lucky Strike
   Hourly Rate
   Money Management 
   Book Tokens

Chapter 4: Risky Business
   The Kid
   Big Slick
   Slot-Playing
   Zilch
   Lowball Coup
   Silly Me
   Outdraw
   Winning Error

Chapter 5: Bluffers
   Bluff of the Year
   Failed Bluff
   Incredible Hand
   Two Bluffers
   Bluffer’s Excuse

Chapter 6: Poker Heaven
   Dream Hand
   Monster Pot
   Inventor’s Coup
   No Split
   Crazy or Cute?
   The Right Card

Chapter 7: Poker Hell
   Heartbreaker
   Putting It Down
   Too Little Too Late
   Ruthless London Lowball
   Trouble Hand
   Three Queens 
   Nightmare on Fifth Street
   Crazy Bill

Chapter 8: Weird Things Happen
   Crazy Bill Again
   Biggest Game in Town
   Loving Couples
   A Fiver Saved
   Straight Flush Clash
   Straight Flush Loser
   Intuition
   Going on Tilt

Chapter 9: Tournament Play
   Tournament Poker
   Winner Take All
   Aces in Trouble
   Double Champ
   Wizardry
   Luck of the Irish
   Lucy’s Way
   Blockers
   End Game

Chapter 10: World Series of Poker
   How to Win and Lose a Million
   Al’s Fiasco
   One Mistake
   Al’s Revenge
   Frank in Vegas
   Seed Is Rich
   Oh Maria!
   The Big One
   Stu Again
   Exit Dave
   Omaha Winner
   Ben’s Bad Beat

Chapter 11: Close to Home
   New Year’s Resolutions
   Loans
   Boys Will Be Boys
   Sam’s Night Out

“Poker dealers, by common consent, are a terrible crew who always give you the card you don’t want while giving your opponent the one card he does want. Why are dealers like this? It’s their nature.”

“President Richard Nixon applied very clearly the principles of poker in his diplomacy. He took the view that if you didn’t win the little pots on minor matters-in dealing with China or the Russians-then you couldn’t win the big pots when issues of national importance came up.”

“Everyone make mistakes at poker. But the worst thing, after making a mistake, is to brood about it hand after hand, which simply compounds the original error and makes you play even worse. Once it’s happened, it’s over, like a shot missed at golf.”

“At poker, self-control is the most important quality of all. It implies concentration, card sense, courage, judgment, and money management.”

"Sex is fun, but poker lasts longer!"  —Anonymous

     This outstanding selection of writings from the first regular poker column in a daily newspaper anywhere in the world traverses the poker universe, with stories about poker's games, names, and claims to fame. You'll visit the world's greatest poker venues, feel the emotions of the annual World Series, and relive some of the greatest hands ever played. Packed with information about the popular games-hold 'em, stud, Omaha, and high-low—The Little Book of Poker can improve your play whether you're an absolute beginner or a seasoned expert. You'll learn how to bet, when to bluff, when to drop, and when to pick up your chips and head for home.
     David Spanier wrote the regular weekly poker column for The Independent in London, England. His books include Total Poker, The Gambler's Pocket Book, Easy Money: Inside the Gambler's Mind, and Welcome to the Pleasuredome: Inside Las Vegas.

Blackjack Confidential, Poker Digest, Observer 

"[Spanier] provides a vivid portrait of that Tuesday-night game that has been the ruin of us all."
     —Al Alvarez, Observer

"I have enjoyed all of his poker articles and have a special fondness for his pocket-sized paperback."
     —Blackjack Confidential