Making the Final Table

by Erick Lindgren

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Reviewer:  pjensen

Making the Final Table walks you through the different stages of a multi-day tournament (World Poker Tour or something similar), from the early stages all the way to heads-up, and even beyond. Lindgren has a pleasant writing style that is conversational and easy-to-read.

This is not an in-depth strategy book that is full of hand-ranking charts. Rather, it is intended to help you think like a winning player, and give you the mental attitude needed to win the big one. There is some strategy, of course. Lindgren gives examples of how he plays during the different stages of a big tournament – when and how much to raise, hand selection, stealing blinds, playing the bubble, etc. He teaches you how to be aggressive and play a lot of pots. When he raises from early position, his opponents don’t know if he has 9-8 suited or pocket Aces. His style is to play to win, not just survive. His loose, aggressive style only works in a large tournament with deep stacks and a slow blind structure, so be warned.

Unfortunately, some of his advice is somewhat generic and has been stated a thousand times before (“try to accumulate chips”, “steal blinds”, “bully the table with your big stack”). Then there is a section on the final table where he tells you how to handle the bright lights and the TV cameras, which won’t exactly help you to beat that final table (and of course is no help if you play tournaments online). And the last part of the book covers topics like paying taxes on your winnings, investing, and living the life of a pro. It’s interesting, but it won’t help you win. There is also a chart of WPT money winners which is completely pointless.

There is some good advice in here, but unfortunately it is surrounded by a lot of needless filler. Only about half of the book’s 200+ pages contain anything really worthwhile. It feels like this book could have been so much more. Still, it is a quick and enjoyable read, and everyone should be able to at least get a few good tidbits from it. The advice in this book would be especially useful to those players who have a tight tournament style, ala Dan Harrington. Lindgren’s approach is very different, and his strategies might help you to open up your game a little bit.

If this book had an MSRP of $29.99 I would suggest that you pass on it. But because the book is so cheap, I can give it a cautionary recommendation. You won’t get a lot out of this book, but you won’t have to pay a lot, either, so it might be worthwhile to pick it up.

2.5/5

Reviewer:  dfphish13

Making the Final Table by Erick Lindgren is a whole new view on big tournament strategy. This new and quickly rising poker star gives the strategy that has made him hundreds of final tables and then continues to show you how to come out on top. Very helpful sections on money management and how to manage your life as a poker player are also included. And you can be sure to trust the information given…because he uses it himself as a professional poker player!

Lindgren has made 5 World Poker Tour final tables as well as numerous other tournament final tables. He is among an elite group of young and rising players that are sure to make their mark in poker history. He currently lives in Las Vegas and even has been featured in a World Poker Tour video game!

The book is divided into different sections starting from an introduction and “about the author” chapter much like other poker books. Then continues to take you through every step of a tournament from early stages, middle stages, and the bubble, all the way to the final table and even heads up! Also included is a list of World Poker Tour All-Time Money Leaders.

Most professionals suggest that in the early stages of a tournament you do nothing but play your cards and avoid large pots where you may lose a lot of chips early. This seems like a sound strategy since if you lose your chips here, there is no rebuying or coming back. However, Lindgren incorporates the strategy of playing to amass chips very early in tournaments. He says he does not like playing very big pots preflop and likes to see a lot of flops just for the reason of outplaying your opponent. This tactic has earned him (along with me) a lot of big cash finishes in tournaments. After the flop really seems like the best place to outplay your opponent and get maximum hand value, and Erick Lindgren will explain to you why.

He includes numerous example hands that give you a whole new look at poker. If you don’t think they will then look at the example hand in which he suggests folding pocket aces preflop!

The one section in the book that I find different than anything in any other book is the section on what to do after winning a big tournament. Erick gives advice on money management, paying your taxes, what games to play, creating a bankroll, the life of a professional poker player, and teaches to stick to poker and not gamble on bad bets. This book is truly written for those who want to become a great poker player!

There is also an included “Poker Math” section contributed by Matt Matros. I found this section to be a huge added bonus, almost doubling the books value! While this section does get long and hard to read at times, after a few times reading and understanding it you will find yourself a much better poker player.

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