You have seen them on the sports channels: the big-time players dealing cards and playing it cool under the Vegas lights. Perhaps you have even dreamed of one day becoming a high roller. How hard could it be, really? The guys on TV make things look so easy. Of course, the reality is that poker is a game easy to learn but difficult to master. And if you plan on mastering it, it helps to have a few good tricks up your sleeve. But before you get into figuring out a way to beat the high rollers, you need to become grounded in the basics. And there is no better place to get an education than the five books listed below. While these may be what you would call "starter books," they are poker books filled with spectacular information that will allow you to gain a solid footing in the game, so that your knowledge grows into a full-fledged education for how to excel. So without further ado, here they are!

1. Poker for Dummies: Don't let the title fool you. Reading this book will leave you anything but a poker dummy. All of the basics are covered in this manual by Card Player Magazine writer Lou Krieger, along with extensive info on the many variations of play and a nice reminder on what it means to your experience to keep fun at the forefront.

2. The Poker Player's Bible: Another Lou Krieger book, The Poker Player's Bible promises to take your game to the next level. It helps to have a handle on the basics, but there is a primer for you if you don't understand it all together. From there, Krieger goes into all the different strategies for poker games such as Omaha, Texas Hold 'Em, and Seven-Card Stud. By the time you are done with The Poker Player's Bible, if you have really stopped to hone in on and focus on the information, you will be anything but a beginner.

3. The Complete Idiot's Guide to Poker: Like Poker for Dummies, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Poker will leave you feeling a whole lot smarter about the game itself. "Poker Pundit" Andrew Glazer writes this easy-to-follow manual, which is much more useable as a flip to where you need it reference book rather than a straight cover-to-cover document.

4. The Smarter Bet Guide to Poker: Basil Nestor's 128-page manual for learning the game of poker is a bullet-fast read. It contains succinct information on how to play with plenty of tips and tricks and a section at the end of each chapter that summarizes what you have already learned. This constant reinforcement ensures that you will have a firm grasp on the basics before moving on.

5. Winning 7-Card Stud: Ashley Adams, for those of you who want to get more specific, takes you on a journey into the intricacies of the seven-card hand. With key tips and strategies, you'll always want to suggest this variation at a party once you've finished!

Poker books are a great way of learning and perfecting your craft if you want to be a high roller. With proper attention and care, that's exactly what you'll be.