Gus Hansen's "Every Hand Revealed"

[SternSwiss]

References :

Gus Hansen
Every Hans revealed
Lyle Stuart books
370 p.

Gus Hansen, as most of you know is one of today’s most important and successful pro poker players.

Known as “the crazy Dane” or “the Madman” for is very aggressive style of play, he raises awe, fear and sometimes incomprehension.

In this book, he unfolds ever hand from the opening of the 2007 Aussie Millions until his final victory heads up against Jimmy Fricke.

The book offers an amazing insight into a 5 days rollercoaster ride that started with 5 7s and finished with a final AA and a 1’500’000 Australian dollars check.

Gus had been carrying a pocket voice recorder for quite some time, commenting his understanding of each hand in context. His aim was to be able to chronicle fully a major victory in an important event.

People used to tease him about this nerdy habit, but now that one of the most thrilling poker books ever has been written, I am sure the laugther dissolved.

The book is an amazing read. Far from the general abstract generic principles exemplified: you are invited to follow in depth one single, subjective, sometimes speculative, always remarkably intelligent journey to a great victory.

It is truly enlightening to follow the unfolding of time thru such a great mind.

The book is both easy and pleasant to read and substantial enough to be thoroughly analyzed, calculator in hand, for those interested.

It offers amazing insights into a great poker mind: his logics, method (which some misunderstand for “madness”), calculations, educated guesses, aftermath regrets, doubts, emotion rushes coping, personal humour, etc.

Each stage of the tournament is introduced by some generic comments general strategies seen fit for success (4 chapters for days 1 to 4 & 3 chapters for final day).

The book has a nerdy (and very interesting) statistical recap chapter and is round up by some afterthoughts.

As Gus writes: he tried to reveal simply “everything”. No less. And adds that he trusts, unfolding that much won’t have any dangerous repercussion on his future opponents read, for changing one’s game purposefully to blur all tracks is the most important skill of all.

In short, it is really a fantastic book, I am sure everyone will benefit form reading.

I would add a special dedication to the couple of people that qualified my play recently of being “bingo” or that of a “twat” (simply because I used my big stack aggressively in the bubble and with excellent preflop hands on top). Be sure that I study the game thoroughly, regularly and consistently. I calulate odds for all I am doing. Of course, I play here sometimes when drunk and hence unfit to play for money and make odd moves. More generally, I also find that people call draws often very generously here and against odds so it brings me to be more aggressive than I am normally on games with real stakes. It doesn’t change anything to the fact that my game is based on decisions I stand behind (even if I made a mistake –which I try to learn from-or got unlucky).

I am no Gus Hansen and will never be. But I am sure that playing tame is no path to great poker achievements. And criticizing others while not understanding their game or moves is just plain immature.

Precision added: You will benefit more from reading the book if you have already read one or some others and/or know of "classical" tight plays, odds calculation and all.

[Cotton47]

n1 swiss just finished reading it,its the first poker book ive read because instead of telling you how to play the game it just tells you how gus played every hand in this tournament.
really enjoyed it was fascinating to get inside the mind of one of the worlds best players even if he his a bit mad
but if anyones looking for a poker book thats a bit different from the rest i reccomend this

[gary70]

nice 1 stern,i think i'll look it up for a gander.
p.s i was at the table when you were asked to "stop playing like a twat"
i think we all know who the twat was bud,and it wernt you.

[RockDivaD]

Thank for letting me know about this book and looking forward to reading it as Gus is my fav.
I just watch the aussie mill tourney on tv this last week and watched him tapeing his comments.
I saw you say in a tourney the other day how you'd bet too gentley and saw someone finish with a better hand.
I know the feeling, have tried with big bet to stop someone chasing, but with free chips and some players they will chase not matter what you do.
Oh well such is poker. Take care and good luck.
Maggie xx

[CaptainSandy]

Good post SS,
Hope you're on a percentage.

[jayccin]

hansen's nickname is "THE GREAT DANE".

[DeanReeves66]

great post stern i havent read the book yet but i deff will do, sounds very interesting. i love the great danes style of play very aggresive and not afraid 2 put his chips in, i watch him all the time online on full tilt poker with(somtimes) pots over 400k great to watch and u can learn alot just by watching him online.

[Uyto]

Good post, I buy this book, I don't read it again, soon I hope

[Tonyl31]

very interesting post - will definately read in the near future .

[andy911]

Yeah nice post Stern. You have inspired me to invest in a copy...just placed my order on Amazon...can't wait to read it...

[SternSwiss]

@andy

Thanks for the compliment (and those of others too ;-).

I am sure you will enjoy and beniefit from it. Don't hesistate to post your opinion / review here so others can benefit form it.

Have an excellent WE.

[Tonyl31]

you can copy his skills and put them into practice when site bak up

[andy911]

Finished reading it a couple of days ago. For anyone who loves poker, (which probably makes all of you) I would highly recommend it. Not going to go into too much detail as I am a little drunk but it is fascinating. A real eye opener. Not sure his techniques would work too well in the free tourneys until the latter stages, due to numerous callers everyhand, but it has certainly given me some ideas for the cash side tourneys.
Thanks again Stern for suggesting the read. I need another poker book to read now lol! Any Suggestions.....?

[SternSwiss]

@andy911

Happy you enjoyed the book (though I was confident you would).

What kind of format would you like to read about more? Tournament, sit & go's, cash games?

Those are the 3 I can offer suggestions for ;-)

[andy911]

Any of those formats really. I would be interested in learning more on all of them.

Thanks for the help.

[SternSwiss]

Hey Andy,

I really think the other book I reviewed here is excellent, it is Harrington's view on tournament strategy you can compare with Gus's.

Much more academic but extremely instructive.

Vol. I & II make a whole, vol. III is more case studies: interesting, but dispensable.

Send me a pm if you want more suggestions.

[Tiger_Girl]

YouTube - daniel negreanu and gus hansen on high stakes poker

[SternSwiss]

@tiger

Cool hand, hun... thanks. Not necessarily most illustrative of Gus's due to the hugeness of his hand.

Two of my favorite players in any case.