Poker Night    by Scott Mcneely Order:  USA  Can Chronicle, 2004 (2004) Paperback Read an Excerpt     Reviewed by Hilary Williamson This boxed set includes everything needed to launch that first Poker Night - 150 chips (white, red, blue, and black), a deck of cards, 4 cheat sheets with handy hand rankings from High Card to Straight Flush, and a small booklet explaining how to play 14 different games of poker, with a glossary and on-line references at the back. It begins with the lowdown on poker, explaining the history of the game, which French settlers brought (as poque) to Louisiana, from where settlers spread it across the American frontier. The basics of dealing, betting, bluffing, and the showdown are covered, as are hand rankings, low hands and wild cards, betting terms, poker etiquette (like 'Do not wet the dealer'!), and the Zen of Poker. Game rules are provided for variations of Five-Card Stud, Five-Card Draw, Seven-Card Stud, Texas Hold'em, and Shelby. We play poker often in our house. Though the stakes tend to be peanuts or candy, not cash, we have great family fun. If you're ready to launch your own poker sessions but aren't yet an expert, then Poker Night is a great way to get started. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more NonFiction books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews