Anyone else read and study?

#1 25th February 2009, 9:40 AM

Anyone else read poker books? Probably a stupid question but other than Doyle Brunson's super system and the Theory of Poker, what other books are good reading. I read and study just about anything I get into and would like any leads. There are so many books out there and most of the ones I thumb through at the bookstore seem basic. Any leads would be appreciated.

#2 25th February 2009, 9:49 AM

These poker book reviews may interest you:

http://stickspoker.blogspot.com/2009...oker-book.html

#3 25th February 2009, 11:34 AM

I am reading Harrington On Hold em Volume 1 Strategic Play-Dan Harrington
it's enjoyable and next I'll read volume 2 and volume 3

#4 25th February 2009, 12:42 PM

Reading and studying the game is very important, I like to put in ~2-4 hours studying each week whether its in reading books, articles or watching coaching videos from DC. Its definately a +EV move if you are studying a load.

#5 25th February 2009, 1:50 PM

Im hoping to start studying the game more I plan to spend some time each week-

Reading poker books and articles

Looking through at least one of my sngs a week and see what I can see

Reading card chats anlysis threads more

#6 25th February 2009, 8:42 PM

is doyle brunson's super system a good read? I've read phil gordon's little green book so far and its an awesome book.

#7 25th February 2009, 8:47 PM

I second any of the Harrington Books. Since reading these my bank roll never looked rosier.

I read every day before bed then digest it all while i sleep. I don't think i've had a dream which didn't involve poker once in a few months!!!!

#8 25th February 2009, 9:22 PM

bgomez- I think anyone playing poker should own the super system. Not only because it was written by a legend in his prime, but it lays the game out so you can easily understand it. The theory of poker is a little math oriented but still important i think. I am waiting for Doyle's book on online poker-should be in the mail any day. I'll let you know what I think of it. Thanks for the tip on Harrington-I'll hit Amazon and get it.

#9 26th February 2009, 2:03 AM

If you go up to the search function and choose advanced search, then search "poker books", and change the checkbox from "search all posts" to "search titles only"; you will find about a hundred threads where books are discussed.

#10 26th February 2009, 3:17 AM

My poker bookshelf is biased by the fact that I'm only interested in playing NLHE, so I haven't read Super System. I do recommend Harrington's books, especially Tournament I & II. Haven't read III (the workbook), but my take on the books in general is read 'em, play for a while (a year in my case) come back and read them again. Does the table confidence some good to see that the way you want to play them is often what Harrington says is right.

Phil Gordon's Little Blue Book is a good read, but a mite aggressive for my taste. Calling up to 5BB raise with any pocket pair? He probably has the table image to play that +EV, but I don't.

Collin Somethingorother's SnG Strategy book is great. I love books that are deep (everything you want to know about single table NLHE tournaments) instead of broad (a smattering about every poker game known to man).

I also have the 2+2 Small Stakes book. Not as happy with that one, 80% or so because it's biased towards Limit, which I don't really want to play.

RF

#11 26th February 2009, 4:37 AM

It depends what you are looking for
NL-Phil Gordon's Little green book
Limit-Lee Jones winning low limit or skalanksy's limit books
Heads up- Colin Moshman heads up poker
Tourneys-Skalansky Tournament poker
Then there are a lot more that can either be specific or vague
I like:
Winning Short Handed strategies
Super System
Play poker like the pros
Real Poker
Theory of Poker
Poker Essays
Poker Mindset

Good Luck

#12 26th February 2009, 6:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalFish

My poker bookshelf is biased by the fact that I'm only interested in playing NLHE, so I haven't read Super System. I do recommend Harrington's books, especially Tournament I & II. Haven't read III (the workbook), but my take on the books in general is read 'em, play for a while (a year in my case) come back and read them again. Does the table confidence some good to see that the way you want to play them is often what Harrington says is right.

Phil Gordon's Little Blue Book is a good read, but a mite aggressive for my taste. Calling up to 5BB raise with any pocket pair? He probably has the table image to play that +EV, but I don't.

Collin Somethingorother's SnG Strategy book is great. I love books that are deep (everything you want to know about single table NLHE tournaments) instead of broad (a smattering about every poker game known to man).

I also have the 2+2 Small Stakes book. Not as happy with that one, 80% or so because it's biased towards Limit, which I don't really want to play.

RF

isn't super system about holdem?

#13 26th February 2009, 7:08 AM

Okay, a little variation to the question. For someone on a VERY limited budget (no job right now) and can not afford to go out and buy books, is there any place on the internet (besides here) that you recommend for learning the same stuff you would learn in a book. I know there are articles scattered about the internet, and if you dig enough, you can find some great strategy blogs or posts, but I'm tired of reading 200 posts to get to one fantastic post with meat.

Where do you go on the internet for reading things to improve your game.

What other suggestions would you have for a rather new poker player (playing online for only about a year and a half now). I have built a small br by playing freerolls and would like to start to increase it.

Any good places to go on the internet that has free online books or at least some really good articles on poker strategy?

#14 26th February 2009, 4:56 PM

I would check out blogs that talk about strategy, they are not necessarily right, however, the idea is to get you thinking from all angles. Also, the local library in most towns has a poker section that will have some good reads there. At my local library, I found, super system, play like the pros, holdem by skalanksy and some tournament books. If they dont have them you can also submit a request.

#15 26th February 2009, 7:07 PM

Where do you go on the internet for reading things to improve your game.

your on one of the best poker resources right now!!have a look around you also cant ask books a question ! there are some good guys on here who will point you in the right direction

#16 26th February 2009, 7:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgomez89

isn't super system about holdem?

Maybe NLHE is overly generic? I mean the 2 down, 5 community, flop, turn, river, bet as much as you'd like, royal flush is the best hand kind of poker. Tournament or cash.

I believe Super system covers things like Razz, Omaha, etc. As well. Not my stack of chips, at least for now.

RF

#17 26th February 2009, 8:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Agile Beauce

Okay, a little variation to the question. For someone on a VERY limited budget (no job right now) and can not afford to go out and buy books, is there any place ?

There is also a thing known as the pub-lic lib-rary. They let you bor-row books. Often, they will even borrow books, for you, from other libraries.

#18 26th February 2009, 9:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyalFish

Maybe NLHE is overly generic? I mean the 2 down, 5 community, flop, turn, river, bet as much as you'd like, royal flush is the best hand kind of poker. Tournament or cash.

I believe Super system covers things like Razz, Omaha, etc. As well. Not my stack of chips, at least for now.

RF

ah yes, it does. i dont think ill get it then

#19 27th February 2009, 12:05 AM

Harrington Tourney books are a must. Phil Gordon has some great math shortcuts that are worth reading through. If you are playing live, you might want to pick up some books on tells. You can always just sit in the bookstore and read through them. Supersystem is worth having if you play mixed games, but the hold 'em sections are a bit thin for the way people are playing these days. I also like Annie Dukes dvds.

#20 27th February 2009, 4:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boltpoker

Also, the local library in most towns has a poker section that will have some good reads there. At my local library, I found, super system, play like the pros, holdem by skalanksy and some tournament books. If they dont have them you can also submit a request.

Thanks! Now why didn't I think of that!

#21 27th February 2009, 4:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jumping jack flash

Where do you go on the internet for reading things to improve your game.

your on one of the best poker resources right now!!have a look around you also cant ask books a question ! there are some good guys on here who will point you in the right direction

I have to agree that the information here is 1st rate and there is TONS of stuff to read. But, I already know about this site. I was looking for something more like books online or something like that like they have movies online.

#22 27th February 2009, 8:29 AM

Texas Holdem For Dummies??? I have been to an online poker school it helped me to stop throwing my bankroll at my opponents... Im not saying Im winning a ton but my bankroll is on the upswing... buck maybe buck fifty a session...

#23 27th February 2009, 6:39 PM

One thing I will add is that with all the poker classics: Harrington on Hold 'Em vols 1-3, The Theory of Poker By Slansky, Gordon's green book, and many others mentioned above, they are meant to be read and then re-read. First, some are quite difficult to go through. Second, as you play more and also are more cognizant of the variables involved in play, the books will mean more to you each time that you read them. Good Luck with your game.

#24 27th February 2009, 7:34 PM

I've read the super system section on no-limit holdem. It seems to be the textbook on how the game is played.

I'm currently reading Harrington On Hold'em Vol. I. I'm just about done with it and I have been amazed at how much this book has improved my tournament play. I'd read a section and it would almost immediately open my eyes to mistakes I was making or better ways to face situations. It's a must read for anyone serious about playing tournament hold'em. I am really looking forward to reading Vol. II.

Depending on where you are on the learning curve, Howard Lederer's videos "Secrets of Holdem" were an excellent learning tool for me in the beginning of my poker learning. Watching those videos alone will give you a great foundation to build on.

#25 27th February 2009, 8:14 PM

I do agree that SS is a most have for any poker player but the NLTH chapter is massivly outdated imo.
After the poker boom NL has changed drasticly.
The NL chapter is mostly based on the tight passive 200BB+ deep cash games witch are a far cry from todays game where LAG,TAG,LAP are much more common playing styles.
That said the rest of the book is great and since Omaha,razz,stud and 5card draw havent changed as much the book is still a gold mine,just take into consideration what the NL chapter was written for when u read it.

just my 2 cents on the SS discusion

#26 27th February 2009, 8:50 PM

I'm reading winnign Low Limit HOld'em. Very good book. BUt I have yet a lot of books to read. lol. But honestly, instead of book, you gotta have keen sense and be adept to environment. practice makes perfect but books will kinda speed that up but it won't boost your skills right away.

#27 27th February 2009, 9:41 PM

One thing you have to keep in mind: If you are playing at micro stakes, much of the strategy in books may not work, due to the donk factor! I read Gus Hansen's book "Every Hand Revealed" and shortly after blew my whole bankroll before I realized "hey, maybe I should forget playing like Gus!"

#28 27th February 2009, 9:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd_decker

One thing you have to keep in mind: If you are playing at micro stakes, much of the strategy in books may not work, due to the donk factor! I read Gus Hansen's book "Every Hand Revealed" and shortly after blew my whole bankroll before I realized "hey, maybe I should forget playing like Gus!"

Yeah Gus plays very loose and pays almost no attention to postion,he is able to do that cause he has great hand reading skils and a great understanding of the math behind it.
For a beginer thou playing a lot OOP will just cost u money so i would rather read books that recament a tight in postion game if your just starting out.

#29 27th February 2009, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd_decker

One thing you have to keep in mind: If you are playing at micro stakes, much of the strategy in books may not work, due to the donk factor! I read Gus Hansen's book "Every Hand Revealed" and shortly after blew my whole bankroll before I realized "hey, maybe I should forget playing like Gus!"

Ain't that the truth!!!!

I'd love to see a solid mathematical analysis on microlimit play vs. donks. My gut feeling is that besides adjusting for more people in the hand, it probably just boosts variance. Still, I'm sure optimal play at 200nl is different from 2nl is different from play money is different from playing facebook (hands down THE most god-awful play you'll ever see).

RF

#30 27th February 2009, 10:48 PM

I would recommend Phil Gordon's three volume set. The little green, blue and black books. Three volumes may sound like a lot but all are short, easy reads.

Doyle's Supersystem is a classic, but I prefer Gordon.

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