Books worth having.

Hey guys, Sorry if this has been covered already but when I did a search I didn't find anything. I am definitely an advocate of reading up on the game and have endeavoured to do so since I started playing (about 6 months ago). This site has been great but I'd also like to extend my v. limited book collection.
I have super system 2,mike caro's tells, harringtons no limit(the first one) and sklansky's one. These, especially Harrington's have been very helpful. I also have on or two other less well known ones.
So where next? I will be getting Harrington's second one but after that I'm a bit at a loss. I don't want to be buying expensive books(which they are especially when having to get them sent to Ireland - no shops really sell them here) that are only covering the same material again.
Of course I should have stated that NL is my game. Any suggestions would be very welcome.

Which Sklansky book do you have? Theory of Poker? If not, then buy that one.

I can also recommend his "Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players". After that, it sort of depends on what kind of games you play.

I am humble before Sklansky and Malmuth. I do not agree with quite a few things they write. Optimal strategy and HAP strategy are 2 diferent things.

There is alot of money left on the table by using the strategy in HAP.
And yes, I realize this is blashpehmy, Im just stating the truth.

Bill

I agree with Bill, but I take what I read with a grain of salt. I'm on my 3rd poker book (HP for AP, BTW) and it says right in there that their advice is not right for every situation. So, I'm trying to develop my own style by combining parts of what I read from different books. I don't think I'd ever play fully and exactly as just one book or one author says.

Oh, indeed. There's no such thing as an "optimum strategy" that fits everyone for every table. But no doubt that a lot of the tips that you can get from the 2+2 books are excellent advice. You do need to consider how the plays fit into your own game, however.

But, as the question posed was "which books to get", I stand by my advice, but the disclaimers posted are spot on.

Yeah im going to get a poker book can anyone tell me which is the best 1 to get.

You know I have to say, get HAP (holdem advanced strategy) for specific play. The post flop sections are excellent. The pre flop section will keep you out of a lot of trouble.

Get Theory of Poker (TOP) for meta game information.

At some point though, you will need to abandon the starting hand charts, and much of the preflop betting analysis. But, there is no doubt it is the place to start.

Bill

ty for the tips

if i find them in my stinky country i`ll get some reading

i have some movies too

hope to learn something

byeeeeeee

I have come to realize that if I am really serious about improving my game, then I am going to have to bite the bullet and get a book.

What do you all think for my first? Super-System?

Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players (Sklansky&Malmuth) if you play mostly hold 'em. I hear good things about Small Stakes Hold 'em (also 2+2 Publishing), but haven't read it myself yet.

Edit: Super System (Or SS2) is by no means a bad buy, I didn't mean it that way. It's just not as focused specifically on hold 'em as the books I mentioned, and in case hold 'em is your game, you may be better off buying one of those.

Not to mention that the NLHE secion of Super System is catered to people who are playing against good players who actually pay attention to you and stuff, so it's largely irrelevant for low limit games where donks are abound.

Thanks guys!

Best books by far= Harrington on Hold'em Vol. 1 and 2. Reading these books has improved my game imensly

I got Hold 'em for Advanced Players, but discovered to my dismay that it is exclusively about limit play. (The most annoying thing about this site has always been that no-one ever specifies whether they're talking about limit or no-limit.)

I really only play No-Limit seriously, although I do dabble in other kinds of poker. I have Super System, but what other books would any of you reccomend for No-Limit Hold 'em?

Hi Jon. If it's coming from F Paulsson, you can generally assume he is speaking of limit, since (correct me if I'm wrong, Freddy) he plays limit almost exclusively.

Yeah, this is true. Jon has a point though - I should really remember to be more explicit about it.

Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players (HPFAP) is indeed limit-only. Since I rarely (never say never) play no-limit, I can't really gauge what other books would be good for you. Phil Hellmuth's book has a section on no-limit, admittedly a rather short one, but it might be good.

I believe the NLHE section of SuperSystem2 is the same as the original book, so no need to go and buy that. I could be wrong though, as I've read both but only own No. 2 (and can't compare).

CardsChat has a review of Phil Hellmuth's book, but our slacker boss hasn't actually published it yet.

I can PM you a copy of the review, if you want.

Which book is that? If it's the book I think it is, can you PM me the review as well?

I strongly recommend The Book of Bluffs by Matt Lessinger. An entire book devoted to bluffing. And an excellent book at that. This book has already paid for itself several times over.

Hi

Not too sure if this might help, but if you get Sky try channel 226. Watching poker night live might help you some, also on the net @ pokernightlive.co.uk

enjoy

Phil Helmuth has a number of books. His book "How to play like a pro" has some nuggets if you do not mind wading through the Phil is great stories.


Sklansky's books are worth reading, but are designed for people playing medium to high stakes. A lot of what they say should but does not work well in freerolls or low limit games.

I agree with the poster who recommended Harrington's books for NLH. These books are probably better understood by someone who has played a bit of NLH and read Sklansky's books.

Most of the books mentioned in the above reviews are fantastic and represent the cornerstone of any poker player's collection, but for kick's I also like Phil Gordon's Little Green Book and Phil Hellmuth's book too. But if you have to read one, read one of the fundamental ones (Sklansky maybe).

Same here....I have moved up four limits in NLHE almost entirely as a result of these books. They are awesome.

I thought Hellmuth's book was a waste of time and Theory of Poker is the cornerstone of the examples in Harrington's books and the way that most pro play but the book itself is incredibly boring.

The evolving nature of the game (more aggression) means that poker is changing. Kill Phil (Nelson + Rodman) offers a way to "beat the pros"....apparently this book goes well with HOH 1 + 2. Could be my next purchase.