381 pages
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Harrington on Hold 'em: Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments (Strategic Play)
by Dan Harrington, Bill Robertie
Spotlight Reviews
Top notch; very pleasantly surprised, February 15, 2005
Reviewer: M. Grapenthien (Chicago)
No limit hold'em, obviously, is a complex game. So complex that there has never been a good comprehensive treatment in a book form; I had thought that this was because it involves more "table feel", experience and intuition that can't be easily taught or expressed in a useful format.
Harrington and Robertie have done just that. Harrington is the 1995 world champion, and the only player to make the final table in both 2003 and 2004, overcoming the two biggest fields in World Series history (839 and 2,576 players, respectively). Robertie is a top backgammon player and author of several excellent books on that game.
Among the top players, there are drastically different styles of play, from conservative to super-aggressive. One problem I expected was that given Harrington's solid, fairly conservative style, he wouldn't be able to give much useful information on playing at the other end of the end of the spectrum, styles such as those employed by Daniel Negreanu and Gus Hansen.
I was wrong. The book does a fine job addressing the relative merits of various styles, playing against each type of opponent, and even choosing one for yourself. This makes sense; no matter his own style, to be successful he has to have spent a lot of time thinking about, observing, and combatting all different types of players. Further, a playing style isn't cast in stone; even the most conservative players have to switch gears and become much more aggressive at times, and vice versa.
A few more notes on this idea: first, Harrington's own play as described isn't as conservative and cautious as many think. Second, a fairly conservative approach is demonstrably the more sound one for the student, and anyone without many years of experience. Hyper-aggressive play would be much harder to teach well, and also much harder to pull off successfully. The players who thrive playing these aggressive, gambling styles have exceptional talent as well as lots of experience and a great feel for the game and their opponents, and are faced with difficult decisions under lots of pressure much more often. For those who insist on trying, it probably still makes more sense to learn a fundamentally sounder style first and then proceed from there.
The book is laid out well for learning. Each chapter starts with a discussion of the topic, touching on the theory. There are several example situations with the authors' answers and detailed reasoning, as well as the merits of alternative plays. Following each chapter there are problems, mostly from real hands. It provides a diagram of the table, the chip counts for each player, your knowledge of the opponents, etc... all the relevant information. The problems usually provide all this information even when some of it is irrelevant to the problem, which is a strength. A big part of the decision-making process in poker (as well as lots of other things) is recognizing and eliminating extraneous details to make analysis more managable.
This is the first in a two volume set. I thought this was odd, as this is first for 2+2 poker books, but the first volume is bigger than most of their others already. The book is self-contained; there are no partial answers or information that tell you to buy the second volume for the details. I don't think there has been an official announcement on when Volume 2 will be released, but I've heard sometime this spring.
The book is geared specifically toward tournaments, and especially toward those with well-defined formats, such as major casino/cardroom events and those on the Internet. For cash game players, a solid understanding of tournament and poker theory would be necessary to make the appropriate adjustments to cash play. Most of the book would still apply, but some situations would change drastically in a side game, where simply getting your money in with an advantage, rather than survival, is the main goal.
For those newer to poker, to get the most out of this book, I would recommend a few others be read either first or at the same time: "The Theory of Poker" by David Sklansky, "Small Stakes Hold'em" by Miller, Sklansky and Malmuth, and "Winning Low Limit HOld'em" by Lee Jones, especially for the newest players.
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286 pages
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The Making Of A Poker Player: How An Ivy League Math Geek Learned To Play Championship Poker
by MATT MATROS
Customer Reviews
A refreshing, entertaining read, April 13, 2005
Reviewer: Richard D. Pernice "Bumblebee711" (Lake Zurich, IL USA)
Matt Matros has written a poker book that both teaches and entertains. How refreshing! Matros does an excellent job of instructing the reader without putting him/her to sleep with the same old tired advice. I found myself liking this guy more and more as I read his story. He comes off as a very intelligent, yet humble guy. He's obviously done his homework on poker and in turn shares his experiences with us in an easy to understand format. I think both beginners and pros alike will enjoy and benefit from this book.
Enjoyable and Educational, April 8, 2005
Reviewer: Polly Darcey (Boston, MA)
This is a great book to read and it is educational as well. The author states that you can live through his poker experiences and learn from his mistakes by reading the book. He did an excellent job of going back and forth between his poker instructions and personal poker stories/experiences. It makes for a delightful and interesting read. And it doesn't drag like most poker books. I would recommend this book to novices and experts alike. I think I can honestly say that Matt Matros is the best poker author out there right now.
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151 pages
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Tournament Poker & The Art Of War
by DAVID APOSTOLICO
Customer Reviews
A fresh approach, March 13, 2005
Reviewer: Cardcatcher
This book is different from any other poker book I've read. It takes age-old war strategy and applies it to no-limit holdem tournaments. The discussion of pre-tourney preparation and mental discipline during the tourney is first-rate. Also, by illustrating Sun-Tzu's principles with examples of actual hands, the author makes it easy for even novice players to grasp his points. I highly recommend it to everyone who wants to start playing no-limit tournaments, as well as veterans trying to reach the next level.
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270 pages
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Winning at Internet Poker For Dummies
by Mark "The Red" Harlan, Chris Derossi
Spotlight Reviews
A surprisingly helpful book toward Internet Poker skill, February 28, 2005
Reviewer: C. K. Ogi (NW MO USA)
I make no bones about the fact that I tend to be a big fan of the 'For Dummies' series of books. The smaller bits of informatio, and the way they are highlighted to stand out with relevant information is presented, I appreciate.
So, I was not surprised when I found Internet Poker for Dummies to be very helpful as well. I am an avid online poker player, and feel recently that my developement has been stalled. I purchased this book, because I liked that it related to Internet Poker, which has several different nuances that you can't overlook when playing online vs. live game.
While some of the concepts and tips they recommend go in direct opposition to my normaly conservative style of play, I do really find value in their explainations about WHY these would be good/better bets to make or better ways to play certain hands. It also covers freeroll tourney's, which I found a very honest look at the nature of freerolls and how to succeed with them.
If you have any interest in online poker success, this is a book that belongs in your home poker library.
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240 pages
List Price: $11.95
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Beat the Dealer: A Winning Strategy for the Game of Twenty-One
by Edward O. Thorp
Spotlight Reviews
The book that started it all!, November 23, 2002
Reviewer: K. Morris (Silicon Valley, CA)
This book started it all. Before this book, only a very few people knew about card counting, and most only had primitive systems. Thorp analyzed the game, ran computer simulations, and devised two effective strategies for beating the casinos at their own games.
Can you run out and use these systems today against the casinos? Sure, but over 30 years have gone by and there are now simpler more effective systems. But if you are naturally gifted at doing complex calculations in your head quickly, I think the 10 count system would still be wickedly effective.
Buy it for the theory and the stories. Then go out and buy a newer book with simpler more modern counting systems.
***** The Foundation of Card Counting *****, December 8, 2004
Reviewer: Richard York
"Beat The Dealer" by Edward O. Thorp is still difficult to beat. Even though it is now quite ancient by current standards, it is still right on target. Everyone who is serious about blackjack has read this book , has a copy of it tucked away somewhere and re-reads it from time to time. This book, with help from Dr. Thorp's: "The Mathematics of Gambling", is responsible for most of the Las Vegas casinos asking me to take my blackjack business elsewhere.
This book, as a follow up and summary of Dr. Thorp's technical papers, is truly the foundation stone for card counting. Although improvements have been made in card counting systems (see: Wong's "Professional Blackjack" or Ford's "How to Gamble at the Casinos Without Getting Plucked Like a Chicken") none has improved on the basic principles this book sets forth..
There is no better place to start an education in blackjack than by reading this book. Just remember, the pit bosses can read, too.
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624 pages
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Doyle Brunson's Super System: A Course in Power Poker
by Doyle Brunson
Spotlight Reviews
Still a Super/System, July 27, 2003
Reviewer: Mr. David Welsh (London, UK)
Brunson & Co. wrote this book in the mid 1970s and if your interest in poker as a game with a very rich and colourful history is anything like mine its well worth buying. The chapters where Brunson talks about his past are great background to understanding one of the all-time great champions.
As for the lessons in this post-graduate school of poker, some really are of historical value only. I suppose Caro's lecture on Draw might be of use in home games but Skalansky's on hi-lo has been out-flanked by time - the qualifier did for it. Baldwin's chapter on limit hold'em is also of no value - not only has the game changed (they used to play it with a single blind and antes from every player - to make things easier and quicker in casinos they changed to the big & little blind structure) but there are five or so more books that today to a better job.
Two chapters retain value. Firstly, and often overlooked, is Chip Reese's chapter on Seven Card Stud. Its not particularly profound and I feel Chip gives away less than the others, but its still a very good starting place. Seven Card Stud hasn't changed much since the 1930s so this chapter retains value.
But the the real gem is Brunson's own chapter on no limit Hold'em. Its extremely interesting and given the greater freedom no limit gives the change in the game structure matters less. No limit is not a war of fine percentages like limit, it is a game of great psychological violence. Brunson's system is VERY aggressive. I think very few people would feel so comfortable playing so many connectors out of position in no limit games so they can stage all-in bluffs. You would need to be up against a very timid rock garden to play just as Brunson says. But it remains, undisputedly, the best guide to no limit cash games (but not tournaments - see Cloutier and McEvoy).
Buy it. You'll thank me.
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298 pages
List Price: $29.95
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Internet Texas Hold'em: Winning Strategies from an Internet Pro
by Matthew Hilger
Customer Reviews
Good book for begining internet Hold'em players, December 22, 2004
Reviewer: M. Ross "poker player" (Tacoma, WA)
This is the first poker book I purchased. It made me a winning online player. This is a basic starting book.
Explains the importance of pre-flop hand selection and recommended starting hands.
Explains why some cards work well with more players in the pot. Explains what hands work well with one or two players in the pot.
Go over post flop play. How to play draws, slow playing, check raising, ect
Explains importance of position. Why you need to play more tightly in early position. Why you can be looser in late position.
These are all important in getting a basic understanding of how to play Hold'em.
I am no longer using just Hilgars strategy to play poker. I can say this gave me a good starting point on becoming a good poker player.
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304 pages
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Poker : The Real Deal
by Phil Gordon, Jonathan Grotenstein, Jon Favreau (Foreword)
Spotlight Reviews
The Perfect Place to Start Your Poker Education, October 25, 2004
Reviewer: D. R. Jeanclerc "Reader, Listener & Obsessive Observer" (All across Ohio)
There's no debating that poker is a hot topic these days, and because of it, there's a lot of interest in learning about it. In this quest, lots of people will head straight for the "... For Dummies" series because it's familiar - they'll be making a bigger mistake than going all-in on a 2-7 offsuit.
"Poker: The Real Deal" is a well-rounded, very informative, easy-to-read and immensely entertaining book for the poker newbie. It covers a wide range of topics on poker, from the development of its variations throughout history, to the basics of strategy, to the lingo and customs needed to not look foolish at a casino or home game. This breadth of topics make it worth reading even if you're a moderately experienced player, but the true value is held for the novice.
Strategy is what most people will be looking for, and the strategy section is a definite strength, discussing the calculation of pot odds, the importance of position and the basics of valuing your hand strength vs. your read on that of others at the table. Does it cover strategy as in-depth as Sklansky and Malmuth's books or the classic "Super/System"? Of course not - that wouldn't be appropriate for the book's core audience. But the great thing about this book is that it contains very helpful passages from those books and points you to them if you'd like to get more information. Let's face it - most of us are just looking to keep up with our home games and occasional casino vacations, and this book works as a single-volume bookshelf that more than fits the needs of such a player. But again, if you envision yourself flipping the boss the bird and staking your claim as the next Greg Raymer, then "Poker: The Real Deal" will help you find all of the additional information necessary to start.
Online play is also covered, and while it's a good chapter, it's also (understandably) rather biased toward's Phil's affiliated website.
Many will buy or give this book based on Phil Gordon's recognition from Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown", and that's fine. His personal anecdotes add a lot to the readability of the book. Finally, it's even a physically attractive book printed on quality paper, even if it is a screwy size (very tall and narrow, making it more difficult than usual to hold open at the very beginning and end). Do you really want to host your first home game and have someone spot that atrocious yellow-and-black "Dummies" book on your shelf? Of course not.
If you're among the many who recently discovered poker via TV or the Internet but are buffaloed by the numerous books on taking your game to the next level, then your search is over - this is THE one book for you.
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369 pages
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Small Stakes Hold 'em: Winning Big With Expert Play
by Ed Miller, David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth
Spotlight Reviews
Best book yet for the small stakes/low limit player , July 24, 2004
Reviewer: Daniel Kessler (Farmville, VA)
This book has instantly become my #1 recommended poker book for the player looking to advance from marginally profitable to stone killer. The text is advanced and readable. Miller explains complex concepts in a manner that is easily understood. Concepts such as pot odds, pot equity, playing overcards and many others are discussed clearly and concisely. While not necessarily a book for the brand new player, it is an excellent text for anyone with a few games under his/her belt who wants to really destroy the low-limits. Although this book is targeted at small stakes games (2/4 up to about 6/12), its concepts are easily applicable to looser mid-stakes games 10/20 and up. The first few chapters alone will earn you the cost of the book many times over.
Buy it. Read it. Sit at someone else's table.
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300 pages
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The Theory of Poker
by David Sklansky
Spotlight Reviews
Poker's best textbook for general concepts, September 6, 2002
Reviewer: John M. Thompson (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
"Every time you play a hand differently than you would have played it if you could see all your opponents' cards, they gain; every time you play a hand the same as you would have if you could see all their cards, they lose." [This is an excerpt from what Sklansky humbly termed the fundamental theorem of poker.]
Statements like these will probably leave the average player, new to reading about his or her game, somewhat puzzled, but this is the main value of this book. It gives you a set of terms to describe conditions and actions in a poker game, and then tries to make you think about what you do and why. In the beginning, Sklansky says that this book does not try to answer, "What do you do in this particular situation?," but "What do you consider in this particular situation before determining what to do?"
It uses examples from every form of poker found in a casino, but it does not deal with any one form in particular. For this, a few good choices include the 'Advanced Players' series from Two Plus Two Publishing, and 'Super/System' by 1976-1977 World Series of Poker Champion Doyle Brunson and his collaborators. Sklansky's object is to show that winning poker comes down to correct determination of your odds given cards seen and unseen, the size of the pot in play and the effect of less tangible, psychological factors on the odds set by the first two elements.
It's not the easiest reading, but the language therein will be used by most serious players of the game in discussions away from the table. Get 'Poker for Dummies' by Lou Krieger and Richard Harroch first, as well as a basic text for your favorite game, like 'Winning Low-Limit Hold'Em' by Lee Jones. After a few months of play, open this book to reevaluate your game and what you thought you understood about poker.
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200 pages
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Winning Low-Limit Hold'em (2nd Edition)
by Lee Jones
Spotlight Reviews
He called it "low-limit" because..., January 8, 2002
Reviewer: John M. Thompson (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
...most players can't stomach being called beginners, novices or newbies, and the bottom line is that it's true. Otherwise, it would probably pose much more difficulty for me to make money in my home games.
In reference to some of the idiocies posted below, a game played for relatively small betting increments could possibly have players of significant skill and ferocity, or cheaters who will use tricks to get your money. Jones points out that in moving past $10 big bets, you need a new set of skills. However, you should be able to know when you're making too many uncertain decisions, against players that you don't know you can beat. Selection of the right game is the first assessment any player should make, and it just happens that people are less likely to be skilled or cheaters at low levels because the stakes don't justify it.
I've read most of the significant works on poker in general, and Hold'Em in specific. Lee Jones basically writes the most accessible book on Hold'Em: he discusses starting standards, position, betting for value, and play of the straight and flush draw in Hold'Em. The worst that I can say (having read David Sklansky's first and second books on Hold'Em in addition to _The Theory of Poker_, plus Bobby Baldwin and Doyle Brunson's sections on Limit and No-Limit in _Super/System_) is that he doesn't necessarily show you all of the mathematics behind the principles, or give you helpful anecdotes to frame the lessons in your mind. If you like playing the game, you can buy those too.
The wisdom from each book on the game really doesn't change that much. Play fewer hands. Play bigger cards. Tighten up when you're the first to bet, and play draws from the blinds. Each one has a different way of communicating their insights to you, but Lee Jones does so in a conversational, easily remembered way - and the difference will show in your game.
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320 pages
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Caro's Book of Poker Tells
by Mike Caro
Spotlight Reviews
Will bring your game to the next level....and beyond, June 30, 2004
Reviewer: "y2kpeanut17" (Madison, WI)
I have been playing NL poker online and limit poker in casinos for about two years. My preferred game is single table tournaments and after a year of success online I decided to put my skills to the test. This book really breaks down the art of poker (that is, the ability to read people)into simple categories of tells understandable and recognizeable by anybody. Armed with my technically sound online skills and my newfound ability to understand the motives and intetnions of other live players, I journeyed to Atlantic City to try my first ever live tournament. My first tournament ever...I finished in first place at the Borgata. I played in one more tournament and took 2nd place. It may sound unbelievable, but with a bit of luck and a powerfull arsenal of reads on common poker tells at my disposal, I walked away with over $10,000 on a total investment of $200.
I am not saying that this book will win you the world series, but it will give you a huge edge over your competition. The reason is this: Without a knowledge of tells, you really only win the pots that your cards dictate. Yes, you can play better cards than your opponents and avoid trap hands, but with a knowledge of tells, you can win 2 types of hands. 1) you win the hands your cards dictate. 2) you win the hands that your oponents cards don't merit. If you can pick up weakness in your opponents, you can win pots just by betting or raising at the right moment and salvage a pot where you might have folded. Similarly, you can better identify when your huge hand might be second best. Caro breaks tells down into 2 main categories. Tells from actors, and tells from those who are unaware. The most important are those from Actors. It is Caro's contention that all of us act at the poker table and in life, it is instinctive and largely subconscious. If you can pick up on these signals, discern what the player wants
you to do, and then do the opposite, then you can truly, truly dominate the competition. This book is a MUST HAVE for the serious poker player.
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304 pages
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Championship No Limit & Pot Limit Hold 'Em (Championship Series)
by Tom McEvoy, T.J. Cloutier
Spotlight Reviews
Great once you cut off the fat., December 2, 2004
Reviewer: M. Lenhart "yeltzen" (Pittsburgh, Pa United States)
I purchased this book because it's one of the few that discusses specific strategy in No-Limit tournaments (it also addresses Pot-Limit Hold'em, but I don't really know how many people use that style for Hold'em... Omaha and Stud, maybe, but not Hold'em, usually). Now, before you all buy it as the definitive guide to winning your buddy's weekend $15 buy-ins, just be aware that this book is addressing high-stakes tournaments against tough opponents who are thinking the same way you do. Most home games involve people who want to gamble and have fun. This book isn't for those kinds of games.
The book turned me off at first. McEvoy and Cloutier spend many pages talking about their wonderful careers and, as great as they may be, I'll buy a biography if I really want to know. Eventually, they get to the good stuff. Now, they continue to throw in personal experiences, which work a lot better as examples of strategies rather than "look at me I'm great" chapters.
Cloutier is a very tight tournament player, a style used by many players because it works. Because of this, he only goes into detail about playing premium hands: AK, AA, KK, QQ, JJ, TT, and KQ. He doesn't bother much with other hands that most people play because he doesn't feel that they hold much value when the betting gets so high. This might seem a little narrow-minded, but Cloutier does such a good job breaking down how to play each hand that you won't even notice. If you don't know how to play any of the above hands after reading this book, then you have problems.
Unfortunately, some of the other sections involve a lot of, "oh, this is real important", but how to do it is never addressed. For instance, Cloutier stresses over and over again how important it is to "read" your opponents and pick up on their tendencies so that, when they raise, you know exactly what they have. However, he never really explains how to do this. No tips or anything, just "hey, make sure you observe your opponents". I think we all know this, but we need guidance as to what the best approach is to gaining this information. Many hands never make it to a showdown, so you need other methods of reading players. My assumption is that you can either do this naturally, or you can't. Cloutier can, and very, very well.
One good thing Cloutier does is keep a strong, consistent theme throughout his section, emphasizing the need to protect and build your chips over time, not in one hand. Amateur players seem to have a hard time understanding this, instead they try to double up every time they get a half-decent hand. Cloutier's super-tight style might be a turn off to some, but he shows you why it works. You don't have to follow it, but you can't argue with the results.
Overall, definitely pick up this book if you plan on playing in tough tournaments. It's a hit-or-miss style that many people won't find particularly interesting, but those who want to play at a high level will find the advice invaluable.
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110 pages
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Hold 'Em Poker
by David Sklansky
Customer Reviews
*** Hold'em Poker Books Don't Get Any Better Than This ***, January 11, 2005
Reviewer: Richard York
"Hold'em Poker" by David Sklansky is about as good as poker books get. This is not a Johnnie-come-lately effort trying to cash in on the new found popularity of Hold'em Poker. This is a solid classic that has been around for a while.
Even though this book has some age on it, the odds and probabilities in Poker haven't haven't changed, and neither has the value of this book. If you are going to play Hold'em for money, this is an essential book.
This is an fundamental background work, necessary homework for serious Poker players. It is not a simple, entertaining read. It contains real information that requires serious consideration.
Failure to read and understand this book will put you at risk of being a "producer". One losing session will cost you many times the price of this book.
Great beginners guide!, December 3, 2004
Reviewer: Real Poker Advice
Holdem Poker is a great beginner's guide to limit Texas holdem. Sklansky is recognized as the authority on limit play. His straight forward technical approach in this book not only teaches you the fundamentals, but this book alone can make you a winning player! This is the most popular game being played online, at casinos, and in local card rooms. Learn this game and you can make a living anywhere in the world, online or live!
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332 pages
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Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players
by David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth
Spotlight Reviews
If you play hold'em for money you should read this, October 10, 2003
Reviewer: Rick Van Hazel (Phoenix, AZ)
When I first bought this book i wasnt technically an advanced player. I understood the game, the rules, and many plays from just playing poker a lot. The problem with Hold'em is no matter how many books you read, you are destined to loose hundereds or thousands of dollars in the process of your Hold'em education. We have books like this one to give tips on how to cut down on the cost of your education. Honestly, if you're a regular player at the game of Hold'em you got to have this book for your collection. I say collection because all Hold'em players have a book collection :)
Must reads:
David Sklansky's - Theory of Poker
Doyle Brunson's - The Super System
The absolute must of them all
= Mike Caro's - Book of Poker Tells
This book gets more in to detail of things to do in certain situations or variations of Hold'em than it does about basics of the game. I really dont think anyone is going to get lost buying this book and being a beginner. You at least need to know what the basics of the game are, which can be learned by watching the World Poker Tour or World Series of Poker on TV. What David goes into more are Low limit, high limit, loose games, tight games, etc. and tips on what to do in certain situations against many or few opponents.
I cant really say too much more that hasnt been said in all the other reviews. There is a lot of good info in this book. The bottom line is, for this game you must be as educated as possible about every kind of play there is. If you learn one thing in this book that will gain or save you a pot that you wouldn't have walked away with, then it has most likely paid for itself right then and there!
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330 pages
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The Psychology of Poker
by Alan N. Schoonmaker
Spotlight Reviews
Understand your opponents (and yourself). Win big!, July 24, 2004
Reviewer: Daniel Kessler (Farmville, VA)
The strength of this book is in helping you understand why you play the game (it may not be what you think), and more importantly, why your opponent is playing. Understanding motivations can help you understand and predict the actions of your opponent. In poker, knowledge is power, and this book will help you to win pots you may have folded, and lay down hands when you are beaten. The chapters on various playing styles are especially important. Following Dr. Schoonmaker's tips during my first trip to Vegas helped me to get out of the way when beaten, and jam the pot when I had the best of it. Thanks Dr. Schoonmaker for helping make my first casino trip a profitable one!
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313 pages
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The Complete Book of Hold 'Em Poker: A Comprehensive Guide to Playing and Winning
by Gary Carson
Spotlight Reviews
Insights Rather Than Directions, February 15, 2002
Reviewer: Curmudgeon (The Boondocks)
Gary Carson offers ways to change your thinking about the game of Hold 'Em. I think the book a great buy for beginning and intermediate players.
Firstly, while he does provide a chart of suggested starting-hands as do other Hold 'Em book authors, Carson also provides an entire chapter on the the theory of starting-hand values. It gave me an entirely new view of hand values and position.
Secondly, he gives more new perspectives in the chapter on the theory of flop play. Again, not just directives but insight into defining your hand. His ideas on adjusting your thinking about poker hands from their poker ranking to their money-winning potential gave me a new way to evaluate my holdings.
Finally, I thought his chapter on betting theory alone worth more than the cost of the book in itself. I've certainly more than recouped my money on what I consider to be the clearest and most consise explantions of bet, pot and implied odds. Before this book, I had only bet to get more money into the pot. Carson's list of reasons to bet immediately changed me into a more flexible player.
You won't find a template of play in this book as you do in many others; you'll discover here ways to clarify your thinking that will allow you to make better playing decisions.
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624 pages
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Doyle Brunson's Super System II
by Doyle Brunson
Spotlight Reviews
Caveat Emptor. , February 10, 2005
Reviewer: Bernard Chapin "Ora Et Labora!" (Blue Island, Illinois United States)
I love Doyle Brunson, I love "Super System," and I love poker, but I cannot figure out why he chose to make this book as scattered in focus as he did. In 1978, it was easy to understand why a manual that covered numerous forms of poker would be released, but nowadays, all you see on TV (with a few WSOP exceptions) is Texas Hold 'Em. So why did Doyle make a book that wastes the talent of Daniel Negreanu on "Triple Draw?" I concede that the reader may be a far more in depth player than I am, but most of us play Hold'Em and little else. "Seven-Card Stud High-Low-Eight-or Better" also seems rather pointless to me. Who cares? I was further deflated to see that he reprinted his life story and original No Limit advice in these pages. I know all of that stuff from "Super System." If it's not new, don't waste our time. The best parts of this book are Doyle on internet poker, the tips from Mike Caro, and Jennifer Harman's section on Limit Hold'Em. These sections are why I give it three stars, but honestly, I looked
forward to getting it and am dissatisfied with its quality.
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298 pages
List Price: $16.99
Buy new: $11.55
Save: $5.44 (32%) |
Poker for Dummies
by Richard D. Harroch, Lou Krieger
Spotlight Reviews
Great for all skill levels!, June 26, 2000
Reviewer: Jason S. Giardino (Arvada, CO United States)
At first, I felt a little sheepish putting this title between my copies of David Sklansky's "Theory of Poker" and Mike Caro's "Fundamentals of Winning Poker," but this is a very serious and very excellent poker title.
There are individual chapters on strategy for the most popular casino games (Texas Hold 'Em, Seven Stud, Seven Stud/8, Omaha/8), all of which were very clear and helpful. However, unlike any title I've seen before, this book is a COMPLETE reference, including chapters on poker tournaments, becoming a pro, Internet poker, and even video poker (which my mother found excessively useful).
Like all "Dummies" books, there are entertaining sidebars about great games, poker legends, etc. All in all, this is an entertaining book filled with invaulable information for all levels of play. Highly reccomended!
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245 pages
List Price: $29.95
Buy new: $19.77
Save: $10.18 (34%) |
Tournament Poker for Advanced Players
by David Sklansky
Spotlight Reviews
A very decent book with a confusing name, March 27, 2003
Reviewer: "drhoenikker" (East Setauket, NY United States)
The ambiguity in the name of this book is something that confuses a lot of people, including some reviewers. The target audience of this book is ADVANCED poker players who have NOT played much in tournaments. Experienced tournament players might get something out of it too, or use it as reference, but they are NOT who the author had in mind. So, if you are looking for advanced tournament tips, skip this one, save some money and aggravation, and drop me a "thank you" note. :-)
This said, the book accomplishes what it is set to do rather well. There is a large number of very solid poker players who almost never play in tournaments simply because the price of learning tournament basics through first-hand experience is rather high. On the other hand, explaining tournament basics to an advanced player is easy, or at least Sklansky makes it seem this way. If you are a good player thinking of playing tournaments, read this book -- it has answers to most of your questions.
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416 pages
List Price: $15.95
Buy new: $10.85
Save: $5.10 (32%) |
Play Poker Like the Pros
by Phil Hellmuth
Customer Reviews
A Good Start, but the rest depends on your style, March 19, 2005
Reviewer: John Kopp "Johnny B" (Chicago)
This book helped me through the beginning stages of poker and a little more. Playing with his exact strategy online I won 600 dollars playing low limit hold'em in a matter of a week after reading his book. However as I started using his advanced strategy's I found it was a little outside of my style. If you don't have the discipline to sit down and play poker for quite a while (and fold the majority of the cards dealt to you) in the beginning stages of your game, leave this book alone it may drive you mad to toss away hands you normally play. But if you are looking to break down your strategy and build from a better base (and you have the patients to do so) this book is gold.
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224 pages
List Price: $19.95
Buy new: $13.57
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World Poker Tour(TM): Shuffle Up and Deal
by Mike Sexton
Customer Reviews
A good beginning book and look at WPT., March 15, 2005
Reviewer: Edward Hoornstra "poker guru" (North Carolina)
This book gives all the fundamentals of poker and an inside look at what many pros do with certain hands. Sexton re-lives hands at tournaments from all over the world and gives good insight into decisions made during play. A nice book to start, with NO advanced principles, but well written and organized. Also, one chapter on online poker tournaments. You get a DVD to boot, good entertainment if you don't mind Lou Diamond Phillips.
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