Product Description
About Dan Paymar: Dan was born and raised in Flint, Michigan. Before turning to a career in the poker industry, Dan spent four years at Michigan Tech, becoming an engineer. His first work in the computer industry was in field service for Bendix Computer, which was bought out by Control Data in 1963. In 1967, Dan moved on to develop a text editing system for Encyclopædia Britannica.

With two other engineers, Dan started Educational Data Systems. Their goal: to write a BASIC language interpreter and disk operating system for the Data General Nova computer to handle up to sixteen users. As far as we know, this was the first time-sharing system ever to run on a minicomputer. When the company began manufacturing its own computers Educational Data Systems became Point 4 Data Corporation.

Always the idea man, Dan then developed an accessory for the Apple-II computer which he sold via his own mail order business and through retail outlets.

In 1989 Dan changed his career direction about 180 degrees and returned to school — to become a poker dealer. That same year, he moved to Las Vegas.

After five years working as a poker dealer, playing some poker, and getting interested in video poker, Dan became an instructor for poker dealers at Casino Gaming School. Not satisfied with the instructional materials then available, the original edition of this book was born. Starting as a booklet of fifty pages, the text evolved as new situations and questions came up in class that were not covered. In 1995, the second edition of the original text, with eighty pages, was published and sold in gaming bookstores.

About Donna Harris: Donna Harris was born and raised in California and came to Las Vegas in 1979 for the World Cup of Darts, which was held at the Sahara Hotel. She was the first female official for this event. Like many Las Vegas visitors, she was fascinated by the prospect of building a career in the casino industry, and in 1980 she returned to Las Vegas to deal blackjack professionally. Her first job was at the Golden Nugget Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas.

That same year, after becoming intrigued by the game of poker (which was played directly across the pit from where she dealt), and then playing poker after work, Donna asked to be transferred into the cardroom where the legendary Bill Boyd was the manager. Her initial position was as a "shill dealer" — a dealer who only dealt when the "regular" dealers were out of the lineup — usually to play poker. Her other early job duties included brushing tables, getting fills and player’s checks, and "playing poker" as a shill. She dealt poker until 1985.

In 1982 Bill Boyd retired, turning the cardroom over to another legend, Eric Drache. At that time very few women were in poker management and Eric felt that many of his regular customers, who originally played in "smokey back room" type environments, would not respect the decision of a young and inexperienced female floorperson. However, Donna persisted and was given the opportunity to succeed.

In 1998 Donna became the cardroom manager at The Mirage, where you can still find her today. Donna has also held positions in both The World Series of Poker and Grand Prix of Poker tournaments held in Las Vegas. Her experience includes traveling with Poker Cruises International, whose routes to most ports in the Caribbean and Mexico have now been taken over by Card Player Cruises and Classic Poker Cruises. She was also aboard the first "poker cruise" to England on the QE II in 1985, and worked poker tournaments in such exotic locales as Marakesh, Morocco, and Port Vila, Vanuatu.

About Mason Malmuth: Mason Malmuth was born and raised in Coral Gables, Florida. In 1973 he received his BS in Mathematics from Virginia Tech, and completed their Masters’ program in 1975. While working for the United States Census Bureau in 1978, Mason stopped overnight in Las Vegas while driving to his new assignment in California. He was immediately ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Great Book
For the future poker dealers, this book is "the principia". For the poker players and poker lovers, reading this book is an excelent way to obtain a general knowledge of the rules of the game. I believe that knowing the rules of the game(even the technicalities) is the first step towards becoming a great player.

"how to deal" everything
Dealing a game is much harder than most people think.This book
tell all the correct ways to run a game.This info will sure save a lot of arguements around the oval table.

Very useful
I used this book to prepare me for my auditions in New Orleans and Vegas and got both jobs. I would recommend this over a dealer school any day.

A must have
I am a student going to school to learn to deal various forms of poker as a profession. I was given a copy of this book by my instructor and was told to me by him that it is a dealers bible. After reading it , I was far better at understanding the game and what was expected of me as a dealer. I definitely would recommend this book to anyone going to school for poker dealing as a profession.Also, I never played a hand of poker in my life before choosing dealing as a profession.

Practice Makes Permanent
The title of my review is a quote from the book, which I gave to my son as a gift for his 21st birthday. He's very happy with it and has already read most of it. The quote is one he took from the book which really spoke to him...practice doesn't make perfect...it makes permanent. Essentially, practicing the WRONG thing won't make you perfect, but it will make a permanent behavior. Since my son's goal is to be a professional dealer, this was a perfect match for him! ... Read more

Product Description
Speedy and the other sidekicks help out when the League of Big Justice faces its stickiest, most chocolatey supervillain yet--the Candy Man, who is determined to rot the world's teeth one cavity at a time. ... Read more

Product Description
A normal day with the Family at an amazing Water Park? like that could ever happen to Malcolm!. You'd think it would be fun. wave pools, log flumes, junk food, a whole entire day just to play. You'd think wrong. It's more like nose plugs, punches, pantsing, and hurling down the liquidator 'cause Mom grabbed your ankle! Oh, yeah, and just when you think its finally over, you end up in themiddle of the worst traffic jam in the world. And lets not even talk about what Francis is doing. Or where in the world Dewey ended up. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Road Trip
I read the book Malcolm in the Middle, Water Park.

Malcolm and his family have planned a road trip to Wavetown USA. Malcolm's little brother, Dewey has an ear infection and has to stay with a baby-sitter.

Now let me tell you something about baby-sitters. For this family, they are scarce! Malcolm and his older brother Reese once locked one in a closet. It has been nearly impossible to get one since.

At Wavetown USA, Reese and Malcolm had problems of their own. Malcolm got chased to the top of the line of "the Liqidator" water slide, the most terrifing slide with its twists of black.

Meanwhile, back at home, Dewey is having his own share of bizare adventures. He has fun chasing balloons, getting to know a thief, earning money, and riding with "Santa" biker.

If you like comedy, get ready for the best vacation you have ever had with the zaniest family ever!

Malcolm in the Middle
If you like books that have a lot of humiliation in them you will like Malcolm in the Middle Book of Water Park by Mason and Panko. I like the authors, because they know what a kids life is like. And I think you will like this author as well as the book.
This book has a lot of revenge and screaming in it as well. Ever since Malcolm�s brother Reese brought something embarrassing that Malcolm needs, but left home on purpose. Nothing but chaos has been happening.
That is why I recommend you read this book, and stick with these authors. And if you like this book, you should try other Malcolm in the Middle books.

So Funny!
I just finished this book and I thoughtit was really funny. Reese is dumb but funny too. I was cracking up! If you like the show then you'll love the book. ... Read more

Product Description
When a police chase ends in front of Malcolm¹s house, two crooks are on the loose. Well, they were‹until Dewey invited them into the house! Which means . . . they have to face Lois! Dude, what were they thinking? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good but Not as Good as Other Books in the Series
This short novel is just like watching an episode on television, and with your imagination seeing all the characters you forget it is actually a book.It is a good read but is not up to the exceptionally high quality of the other author in this series' work, Pam Pollack.That is not to say you should not purchase this as it is still a very good book and you will still laugh and laugh and laugh.You will just laugh even more when reading Krelboyne Parrot or the Exchange Student.

Anyway this novel starts off with the family watching a live car chase on television which they quickly notice is driving down their street.Screeching to a halt out front of their house the fugitive couple run up to their front door.Dewey instead of locking the door of course opens it and asks them to play with him. The family is taken hostage.Lois and Hal tell the kids to run out the backdoor while the two fugitives are distracted but the boys start fighting with each other instead.Hal and Lois are outside and realise the boys are not.Lois keeps harassing the police outside to do something while Hal looks for doughnuts.Malcolm keeps coming up with plans of escape which Reese keeps blowing, as with no parents telling him what to do and cool fugitive role models to talk to he is in paradise.Dewey just wants to play.

This is an excellent book for readers of all ages.It is a short novel so kids or those who do not like reading long novels can read it too.This is an hilarious novel, I will definitely be buying the other books in this series that I have not yet read, as you can never have enough Malcolm in the Middle.

Very Funny Book!
If you want to read a book that will make you laugh, get this one. It's just like watching an episode of the television series and is perfect for young readers. The tone and style are exactly like the show and we really have the opportunity to get into Malcolm's head. Great fun!

Fast read, little content
This book reads quickly as if it were a sit-com.I know,I know, the book is based on a sit-com, nonetheless, you would expect it to have slightly more actual content than it does.The book would be good a good starting point for young boys who are reluctant readers or for anyone who just wants to quickly get through a book, not have to think while reading and be done with it. ... Read more

Product Description
Malcolm¹ genius class decides to sweep the student elections. And who better to run for student body president than Malcolm? Our reluctant politician gets a lesson in loyalty and friendship when his best friend Stevie ends up running against him, and his brother Reese puts the ³pain² in campaign! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Does Not Get My Vote for Best Malcolm Book
This is definitely the least good Malcolm in the Middle book in the series.This is the second novel which I have read written by Mason and I don't think I'll buy another.The Malcolm in the Middle novels written by author Pam Pollack, are so much funnier and more interesting than this one.Definitely read the Bad Luck Charm, Krelboyne Parrot and The Exchange Student.They are all masterpieces of literature, great short novels that even kids or those who are not really into books will love.They are just like watching the episodes on TV.

This episode is about Malcolm being elected by the Krelboyne class while he wasn't paying attention, to be class captain and run for his school grade's presidency.He doesn't want to be President but doesn't want to lose either.Meanwhile Francis pits Malcolm and Reese against each other in a who can get the other grounded competition.The prize is to accompany him to a Dead Trout concert.

I don't think I will bother with anymore of Mason's novels, they are just not in the same league as Pollack.I will definitely buy any more that Pollack writes.At the very least read hers first before buying this one.

A Very Funny Book!
If you like the T.V. show Malcolm in the Middle, you will love this book! It is just like the show and it's really funny! It really made me laugh a lot! My favorite character is Dewey because he is a little cutie! My favorite part is the end.

MALCOLM FOR PRESIDENT: I read this book.
When Malcolm gets nominated for Class President...he doesn't like it! So, he, he...let's just say he does something not so nice, wait I meant TERRIBLE!

Now, Stevie (whose in a wheelchair; is Malcolm's former bestfriend) is no longer his friend! And Malcolm is forced to make... make someone else his campain manager! He makes... He makes... oh I can't say it... He makes his older brother, REESE his campain manager, while they're playing "THE FRAME GAME" where they try to frame eachother to win a concert ticket from their oldest brother, Francis, who was sent to milatary and is at thier house for vacation. ... Read more

Product Description
If you like Avatar: The Last Airbender, this is the perfect book for you! Chock-full of neat facts and trivia, it also includes a quiz to determine which character you're most like and even a map to help you track who has a crush on whom. Your key to everything Avatar is right at your fingertips in this ultimate guide! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My daughter will ove it kind of skimpy
I don't know if I'd classify this a book.
My daughter will love it, but it's really small in it's number of pages. ... Read more

Product Description
Author Tom Thomas' website NetCerts will feature author interviews and online roundtables with authors that allow readers and authors to interact. Links to NetCerts will also provide readers with a monthly newsletter, mentor forum, FAQs downloads. This curriculum driven book not only acts as a on the job reference guide but also supplements material presented in training courses. Each chapter includes a FAQ section that will aid in troubleshooting problem areas that readers may encounter on the job. The CD-ROM includes Cisco router utilities so students can load configurations on a router providing invaluable hands-on experience. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

Ready to tackle the CCNA!
I just finished reading this book cover to cover and feel very confident about moving on to the next stage of my CCNA preparation, practice tests and simulation! I've been using the CCExam software from CCStudy.com as well as a few other practice tests and am amazed how easy a lot of the questions were after reading this book. Just an indication of how comprehensive this book is.

More important, in my opinion, is the book's "readability"! I'm sure there are numerous books that cover the exact same information as this book yet might not be written in a manner that is clear and simple to understand, especially for Cisco newbies like myself. This book is just a lot of fun to read.

Finally, I really enjoyed the "real world" tone of this title. It isn't written for someone who's bound for the testing center, but rather for someone who needs to apply the knowledge at work in the field. I'm certain that I'll constantly be using this book as a reference even after passing the exam. Very cool.

All in all, I'd like to recommend ICND to the Cisco neophyte who's looking for that great "First Book" to start off his or her Cisco library. I'm really glad I got this book and I'm sure you will be too.

Good luck on your CCNA!

Excellent Book........
I read ICND by Cisco Press before. I found this book used on Amazon and bought it just because it was cheap. Now I can not put it down. This book is far better than Cisco Press' ICND. It has about 100 more pages than Cisco's. To me it is worth every minute spent to read this book.
I passed CCNA in December. So, I don't have the exam pressure. I am reading this just for fun and enjoying it.
I strongly recommend it over Cisco's ICND if you intent to take CCNA test.

MUST have for CCNA2.0!
I pass ccna2.0 with 935/1000 today. All I have is this book and Boson exams. I've read my friend's Todd Lammle book. I think this book is much better than Todd's. Todd's is written for passing the exam. For the ICND book, you actally learn the CCNA stuff in depth. I strongely recommend this book for everyone who want to pass the CCNA2.0 with FULLY understanding.

MUST have for CCNA2.0!
I pass ccna2.0 with 935/1000 today. All I have is this book and Boson exams. I've read my friend's Todd Lammle book. I think this book is much better than Todd's. Todd's is written for passing the exam. For the ICND book, you actally learn the CCNA stuff in depth. I strongely recommend this book for everyone who want to pass the CCNA2.0 with FULLY understanding.

MUST have for CCNA2.0!
I pass ccna2.0 with 935/1000 today. All I have is this book and Boson exams. I've read my friend's Todd Lammle book. I think this book is much better than Todd's. Todd's is written for passing the exam. For the ICND book, you actally learn the CCNA stuff in depth. I strongely recommend this book for everyone who want to pass the CCNA2.0 with FULLY understanding. ... Read more

Product Description
You think you have problems? Try being me, Guy Martin, the fastest runner in the world. I can run 92.7 miles an hour. Butbefore I can use my super speed to become a real superhero, I have to be a sidekick. As Speedy, the certified sidekick to Pumpkin Pete, Ihave to help the League of Big Justice save the world during the day but still get all my homework done and make curfew at night. And Ican't tell anyone about this stuff, especially not Prudence Cane, the most beautiful girl in school, even if she's falling for another guy,Mandrake Steel (a.k.a. Charisma Kid).

And I have to try to look cool wearing spandex. Sheesh. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Hilarious!
I'm a fifth grade teacher and am always on the lookout for books that will motivate students to read.During my years as a school teacher, I have read dozens of children's books and this is one of the funniest ones I've ever read.One of my favorite parts is when Earlobe Lad screams at the other sidekicks to stop breathing so loud because it hurts his ears.You'll love this book.

My 8 year old loved this
I'm always trying to find story lines that will appeal to my son.He's not into fantasy fiction and has a very keen sense of humor.This book, and it's sequals, kept him giggling in the car, on the couch, in the tub, and way past bedtime.He would come find me to tell me what Spelling Beatrice had just said or what Exact Change Kid did.This book engaged him tremendously - he read it in two days.We'll read them all!

WONDERFUL BOOK FOR KIDS
My class absolutely loved Sidekicks - which was recommended from a friend. It's a great book because kids love superheroes - so they canrelate to Guy as he begins his adventure as a new sidekick. The book totally captures kids' imaginations and more importantly, speaks to them on their level. It's a really fun book for kids and adults. There are so many funny characters so be prepared for lots of laughs! I hope there are more Sidekicks books to come.

A Fun Series for Captain Underpants Fans
Guy Martin, aka Speedy, is the fastest kid in the world and has joined League of Big Justice.Guy is bored of life as a superhero until Pinoh Keyoh and the Brotherhood of Rottenness strikes.Full of humor, this is a great book for readers of Captain Underpants who are ready for something a little more challenging.

Funniest book I read all year!
Boy in the Plastic Bubble Boy. Spelling Beatrice. Exchange Change Kid. Earlobe Lad. Those are just a few of the funny characters in this book. The main character is 13 year old Speedy, and he's been stuck as sidekick to the superhero Pumpkin Pete, who has a pumpkin for a head and always yells that he's got all the powers of a pumpkin. If you want to laugh at almost every page, this is the perfect book for you. I don't read comic books or anything, but this book was still perfect and so funny. It's all about Speedy's first few weeks as a superhero sidekick and how he's basically a servant to Pumpkin Pete who's always making him do his laundry and stuff. But then when the villain attacks and Speedy's the only one who can save the day! This book makes fun of the superhero world. My favorite character is Boy in the Plastic Bubble Boy. He runs around in his Giant Hamster Ball of Justice and no one can understand what he says because the plastic bubble is too thick. He's just one of the crazy characters in this book. If you read it, you'll laugh until your stomach hurts! ... Read more

Product Description
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Customer Reviews (1)

The Book of Transformations
ISBN 0439327016 - Printed in the U.S.A. (yay for Scholastic!) I want to like this book. It's about magic, which is a cool topic. It's for kids, who should be encouraged to read. But, to be honest, there's something about this book that makes it less than cool.

With the help of professional magicians Spencer and Ken Horsman, authors Tom Mason and Dan Danko walk the reader through the performance of a multitude of magic tricks. The explanations are fairly simple and there are illustrations to show how certain things should be done.

What could be wrong with that? Everyone wants to be Harry Potter, don't they? Well, that's the thing. You're not going to be Harry Potter with this book. You're not even going to perform a single trick with this book. The explanations are fine. The trouble is that the explanations constantly refer you to the things you will need from your "Transformations Kit" - which does not come with the book. So the book is pretty useless unless you already own the kit, and I'd bet almost anything that a new kit will come with a book. That leaves me to assume that the only shoppers who'll have a real use for this title are people who picked up a secondhand kit, which may or may not be missing more than just the book.

- AnnaLovesBooks ... Read more

Product Description
I, Guy Martin (a.k.a. Speedy, the sidekick to Pumpkin Pete), can now run 102 miles an hour. Not only that, myspandex outfit is the least cheesy of all the sidekick costumes. But now I’ve got real problems. Pumpkin Pete is a terriblesidekick mentor. The evil Dada Robah is trying to squish all the superheroes of the League of Big Justice. And worst of all,Prudence Cane — the love of my life — still doesn't know I exist.

Do I use my super speed to solve all these problems?

How about two out of three?

There's only one way to find out. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

My kids loved these books
I have two boys and a little girl and they loved these books. It has made my life easier at bedtime because they want to hear what happens next and rush to get ready for bed. I cannot tell you how upset I was when we finished the second book and had to scramble to find replacements that just do not do the job that Sidekicks does. The book is so funny for adults and kids. I found myself reading and finishing the books after the kids would fall asleep. Waiting on book 3 and I only hope they keep making more until my kids can read themselves to bed. Although I will keep reading them on my own. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The quality of the individual images alone make these calendars truly extraordinary and enthusiastically recommended!
Calendars are more than just ways of marking off the days, weeks and months of the year. More than just a scheduling resource for recording appointments, memorial occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, trip dates and vacation plans. The best of them are also inexpensive works of art and adornment that can liven up and esthetically elevate even the humblest home or office. One of the premier publishers of calendars has now begun to release their extensive collection of 2011 wall calendars. The photography-based calendars are enduringly impressive. The painting-based calendars are of museum collection quality. Especially recommended are three horticulturally oriented calendars for 2011 featuring superb examples of full color photography: "Celebrating Roses"; "Container Gardening"; "Fine Gardening Ideas". The painting-based calendars run the gamut from wildlife to classical art, to outer space, to the American Civil War and include "Wolves"; "The Hunting Art Of Arthur Shilstone"; "Space 2011 Calendar"; "Masterpieces Of European Painting: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art"; "Masterpieces Of American Painting: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art"; "Hudson River Masterpieces: Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art"; "Civil War: The Paintings Of Dan Nance". As is customary with Tide-Mark calendars, all twelve monthly images can be seen on the back of the calendars giving a complete perspective of what will be seen as each month progresses throughout the year. The quality of the individual images alone make these calendars truly extraordinary and enthusiastically recommended! ... Read more