Poker Celebrities - Poker Celebrity 1 Al Alvarez

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Poker Celebrities - Poker Celebrity 1 Al Alvarez

Al Alvarez is the first poker celebrity to be listed on this blog. There will be many more poker celebrities coming up. He was educated in Oxford where he took a first in English. Al Alvarez became a full time writer in his late twenties after teaching for a short period in Oxford and also the United States. For 10 years (1956 to 1966), Alvarez was a poetry editor. During this period he was also a critic for The Observer.

Al Alvarez is an author of many non-fiction books. He is best known for his study of suicide, The Savage God being one of his many famous novels (1972). He has also written on divorce , dreams, and the oil industry. Most amazingly he has also written about his poker hobby on 2 occasions the titles being:

The Biggest Game In Town - the first-ever description of the World Series of Poker and the people who played in it. This book is still in print today.

Poker Bets, Bluffs and Bad Beats which is - an illustrated survey of the history and psychology of poker.

To add to this poker listing one could include his most recent book which is titled “Risky Business” which contains a few essays on poker and gambling.

Alfred Alvarez also has a 1999 autobiography titled Where Did It All Go Right?

Al Alvarez's poker book The Biggest Game In Town shows how well he can study the psychology of some very unusual players. His book is quite old and outdated now, it is however still a great read. In this book Alvarez indicates players, places, interests and the World Championship back in 1981. His second poker book indicating his knowledge for the game with a perfect introduction for beginners and a nostalgic romp for those already addicted to the game - as reviewed by some readers.

Alvarez has a few famous poker quotes to his name a few which follow:

・ I absolutely don't believe in anything. Full stop. Including luck.

・ I could think of worse ways of going than at the poker table.

・ Yes, I think poker really isn’t gambling

・ I think one of the interesting things about poker is that once you let your ego in, you're done for.

Although Al Alvarez has only one win to his name (1995 Festival of Poker London- £14,400) he knows his poker game like the back of his books! From 1984 to 1994 Alvarez played at the World Series of Poker, but only once in the main event (1994). Al Alvarez may be one of the worlds biggest cash players, one can only assume; with very little information on his winnings.