User:Kzollman/THE

In 1983, Al Alvarez published a book detailing an early World Series of Poker event. The first book of its kind, it describes the world of professional poker players and the world series of poker. It has been credited with begining the genre of poker literature and with bringing Texas hold 'em (and poker generally), for the first time, to a wider audience.

Twenty years later, James McManus published a semi-autobiographical book, Positively Fifth Street, which simultaneously describes the trial surrounding the murder of Ted Binion and McManus' own entry into the 2000 World Series of Poker. McManus, a poker amateur, finished 31st in the No Limit Texas Hold 'em main event, winning over $200,000. In the book, McManus discusses events surrounding the World Series, the trial of Sandy Murphy and Rick Tabish, poker strategy, and some history of poker and the world series.

Michael Craig's 2005 book The Professor, the Banker, and the Suicide King details a series of high stakes Texas hold 'em one-on-one games between Texas banker Andy Beal and a rotating group of poker professionals. As of 2006, these games were the highest stakes ever played, reaching $100,000-$200,000 fixed limit.