Jeff Haney talks with gambling author John Gollehon about his concern over the effect of poker’s growing popularity and success on young players and the need for better controls

Thursday, July 6, 2006 | 7:26 a.m.

Much like Garrison Keillor's fictitious schoolchildren of Lake Wobegon, all poker players think they are above average.

Obviously most of them are fooling themselves, or at least trying to, gambling author and publisher John Gollehon says.

"An element of arrogance exists in all gambling endeavors, but poker seems to bring it out the most," said Gollehon, a prolific author of books aimed at recreational bettors. "Arrogance tends to congregate in the poker rooms.

"Many of these average players think that they are better than they are, and tend to rationalize losses as mere anomalies. They have no chance (at winning) until they look in the mirror and get square with themselves."

Overestimating their skill is just one trap that can snag younger or novice poker players, Gollehon said. He has become wary of what the poker boom has spawned - including, Gollehon believes, an increased risk of addiction among teens.

"Through elaborate marketing, the game is catching the attention of all sorts of players," said Gollehon, referring to a McGill University study that reported signs of problem gambling among even preteens. "Unfortunately, many of those caught in the nets should be thrown back, too young to play. But play they do.

"I've been uncomfortable with this for quite some time," Gollehon said.

It's an unexpected turnabout for someone with such a rich background in gambling.

Through his Michigan-based company, Gollehon Press, Gollehon has published titles such as "Budget Gambling," "Conquering Casino Craps" and "Casino Gambling for Boneheads." His company has published 70 gambling books, with 35 currently in print and five others about to come back into print, Gollehon said.

His books contain advice that involves "stop-loss" limits, riding hot streaks and the like. They can be readily found in the gift shops of Strip resorts.

Clearly, he's not targeting professional gamblers or aspiring pros as an audience, but rather tourists hoping to stretch their allotted bankroll. "We're not doing (Doyle Brunson's classic) 'Super System' here," Gollehon said.

So you'd think Gollehon - who counts a couple of poker primers among his works and recalls playing against legends such as Johnny Moss, Jack Strauss and Stu Ungar in the 1980s - would be enthusiastic about major poker tournaments such as the World Series of Poker. After all, that's where rank amateurs supposedly have a decent shot to cash in for big paydays against the pros.

Not so, said Gollehon. In fact, because his audience consists of casual rather than hard-core gamblers, "it makes me more sensitive to this issue," he said.

Following is a sampling of what the author calls "Gollehon's gambling gripes:"

Also noted