Book Review: Kill Phil by Blair Rodman and Lee Nelson

December 14th, 2005

Kill Phil by Blair Rodman and Lee Nelson<BR>2005, 275pp, $24.95″><b>Kill Phil by Blair Rodman and Lee Nelson<BR>2005, 275pp, $24.95</b> <p>Kill Phil is Right on Target Don’t be surprised if you hear some poker player or poker fan declare that Phil Hellmuth’s arrogance and ego could put King Kong on tilt. Many claim. that The “Poker Brat,” as he likes to refer to himself, usually lives up to his name and rep. To take advantage of his persona, Blair Rodman and Lee Nelson have come up with a book title worth remembering. It’s Kill Phil, and while the focus of the book isn’t totally Phil, the subtitle — The Fast Track to Success in No-Limit Hold’em Poker Events — pretty much explains why the title fits.</p> </p> <p>Russ Hamilton, who won the World Series of Poker at Binion’s in 1994, says of this work, it’s “the best book on no-limit hold’em I’ve ever read.</p> </p> <p>“The Kill Phil strategy is designed to take advantage of what we, and many others, feel is a weakness in no-limit hold’em tournaments — the overemphasis on the all-in move in the later stages,” the authors emphasize.”</p> </p> <p>In a way, it questions whether or not the hype and quick-off-the-hip poker instructions as seen on TV really explain how to play properly in certain situations. But This is an interesting work in other ways as well.</p> </p> <p>It’s both instructive overall, by analyzing players and their styles, and it covers much territory often neglected or skimmed over by other books and theorists.</p> </p> <p>Rodman, well-known in blackjack circles for his skill at that game, and Nelson, one of Australia’s best players, examine “small ball” players who “chip away with a variety of intricate strategies” including being involved in many pots ” … waiting for the fattest opportunities,” especially those which occur after the flop. The “long ball” players (similar to home run hitters), usually apply their skills before the flop. The serious, calculating players will learn more about concepts like the “chip-status index” and how to calculate the CPR (cost per round).They will get insight into playing aces or kings early with small blinds and a large stack; basic post-flop play. A small (two pages) section on sit-ngo tournaments and singletable satellites, two pages on online play, an interesting section (three pages) on how to avoid tells, and a discussion of “downtime to learn” (meaning when you’re not in action, don’t get lazy; observe your opponents’ play) help flesh out the book.</p> </p> <p>Rodman and Nelson also examine how to play according to your stack size; the power of the re-raise; table image and how to change gears.</p> </p> <p>By the ninth chapter the book is a fast-moving fighter pilot with deal aim on things like Advanced Post- Flop Strategy, Heads-Up, Unraised Pot, You Act First or You Act Last; Counting Outs; Trapping and AvoidingTraps; Avoiding Pre-Flop Traps and Trapping Post-Flop.</p> </p> <p>Players and fans often ask about “final-table deals” (sometime they’re allowed, sometimes not) where players agree to split tournament prizes so the authors devote four pages to this controversial area.</p> </p> <p>The book also contains pre and post-flop matchup tables based on expected value; the odds of making your hand with two cards to come; pair probability (A-A through 2-2).</p> </p> <p>This book has much to offer, and I’m sure anyone playing in some major tournament will want a copy on the table the next time Hellmuth faces them. They can use it like garlic repelling a vampire.</p> </p> <p>Overall, an intelligent, original effort with many new tournament table survival tips.</p> <p class= Filed under: Poker News

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