Harrington on Holdem vs. Ace on the river

I am looking to tighten up my game a bit and overall improve it (supersystem costs you money and small ball doesnt work at 1/2 and 2/5 no limit and lower). Please compare and contrast each book or just reccommend one.. thanks!!

HoH. If memory serves (only read Ace on the River once) Harrington goes a lot more in depth explaining strategy, where as Barry focuses a bit more on his anecdotes since it's more an autobiography (and an excellent one at that. I read it as an e-book all in one sitting).

Harrington on Holdem is more of a teaching book than AOTR is.

As the Emperor said, Harrington's book is more in depth on explaining strategy & so forth.

HOH hands down. not even close. the best few bux ull ever spend for a poker book.

They serve different purposes. For yours HoH is clearly better.

As others have said, Greenstein's book is more biographical. It contains bits and pieces of strategy indirectly, but is not about poker strategy for the bulk of it. That said, it provides a TON of insight into the life of a poker pro. It's a good read, and I'd recommend it, but not as a poker strategy book.

HoH is by far more in depth. Go with that

They're complete different books.

Harrington on Hold 'em is dedicated solely to NLHE tournament strategy. It's very in depth on the topic and it's a very good text if tight-aggressive tournament poker advice is what you're after.

Note that it doesn't cover cash games though, and if you're talking about 1/2 and 2/5 then you probably want something that does. Harrington has another book, Harrington on Cash Games, which I haven't actually read but I've heard good things about.

Ace on the River is simply not a poker strategy book. It's a fascinating book to read, and I highly recommend it if you want to become a more well-rounded poker player or if you're seriously considering taking up poker as a full time occupation.

But there's not much specific strategy content in it. It addresses a bunch of other topics like managing your money, philosophy, psychology and (believe it or not) there's even a chapter called "Poker and your Sexuality". When it does address strategy, it's from a very big-picture viewpoint.

Cliffnotes: Harrington on Hold 'em will tell you how many big blinds to raise with 87o at a given stage of a tournament. Ace on the River won't.

Harrington on Cash Games, Vol. 1 & 2 are both good for what you want. Ace on the River is a good read, but as everyone else has said, it's more about the life of a poker pro than strategy.

Right now, I'm kind of liking Phil Gordon's Little Green Book. It's a little more down to earth and easier to understand than Harrington's books. I think I'll try his Little Blue Book next. Has anyone read that?

If you want the actual poker text from the guy who invented most of the poker theory out there you must read Sklansky.It is not an easy read but has all of the fundamentals of the game very narrowly and accurately defined. This book has been the biggest reasons for my good play (my roi which has recently gone up from 200% speaks for itself).