I re-read HPFAP recently. I have a habit of re-reading some of these books regularly, as new experiences can put certain concepts in a different light. This time around, I started to realize something: I realized that the title Hold ‘em Poker for Advanced Players isn’t false advertising - this is not a beginner’s book. I’ve “known” that before, in the same sense that you can “know” you’re not supposed to call a preflop raise with a small pocket pair in middle position without really getting how or why.

See, as I read it, I keep running into paragraphs and chapters that I see that others have read, but not understood. A few weeks ago I posted about a common misconception that I blamed (well, not really) on Sklansky and Malmuth, and since then, I’ve run into quite a few more of these. This post isn’t a list of concepts beginners might misunderstand, though, it’s more of a general warning: Hold ‘em Poker for Advanced Players is for advanced players. If you’re a beginner, you’re better off getting a book like Getting Started in Hold ‘em or Small Stakes Hold ‘em.

With the inflation of superlatives these days, a lot of people frown on titles like “Getting Started” or “Beginners,” thinking that they would probably be better served getting the real stuff, the stuff that will make you a pro. I think this is unfortunate, because if you’re a beginner, you really would be better served getting a book that explains stuff to you. Let’s face it, poker isn’t for 9 year olds. The beginner’s books aren’t trivial for anyone who knows the rules of Hold ‘em, and they do explain the basic concepts that the more advanced texts don’t bother dealing with. Everyone will still learn a lot from reading the “advanced” books, but they will miss out on some really profitable lessons and they will have to work harder to catch up.

It’s a good book. But it’s not something I’d recommend for beginners - there are many books that will give you more bang for your $20 if you’re not already an experienced player.