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Poker Review

Review by Jon Eaton

Positively Fifth Street is a story based around James McManus' run in the 2001 World Series Of Poker. James was one of the only reporters to actually enter an event he was covering (he was writing an article for Harpers at the time) and make the final table. He took a respectable fifth place finish at the final table.

The book begins by discussing the details of the Ted Binion murder leading up to the trial. The trial is just ending as James arrives in Las Vegas. All of the trial details can be found online if you want to know more about the murder of Ted Binion. At the end of the trial, two suspects, Ted's wife Sandra and her boyfriend, were convicted of murder. The verdict has since been overturned in appeals.

As the World Series draws near in the book, McManus gives us the details behind the early events of the World Series. McManus takes the reader on his journey from the start to the end of the event. The final details of the thrilling last few hands between T.J. Cloutier and Chris "Jesus" Ferguson definitely end the story well.

As far as actual poker playing in the book goes, a lot of overly tight and timid play highlight McManus' style. He could have definitely done worse, but he sure didn't play like he wanted to win. In either case, the journey to the final table is a very enjoyable read, and offers some insight to big-time tournament newcomers.