Buying a new poker book today...suggestions?

I already own SS2, Championship Holdem hands (Cloutier/McEvoy), and Hellmuth's Texas Hold'em.

I'm thinking along the lines of something very basic that will improve my basic strategy. I really want to go back to the basics here (of course I don't need a holdem for beginners, but I'm looking for basic/intermediate theory and strategy here). I've read enough of all the advanced stuff - and I think I read it too early in my poker 'career' to be honest. I'm thinking along the lines of Theory of Poker? Maybe a Harrington book...not sure.

Also, as most of you know, I play NL - I'm not really looking for a LHE book.

Anyways - anyone got any suggestions?

You can't really go wrong with Theory of Poker, but I think you'd like No-Limit Hold 'em - Theory and Practise. It's a very well written book. If I had to compare it to HoH vol 1, I'd say that it's more fundamental and theoretical in nature, whereas Harrington looks more at principles for different situations, specifically pounding in the concept of pot odds for decision making.

I'm not sure which would be better for you though. I'd make the blanket investment and buy all three to be honest, but I'm going to guess that the most bang for the buck may be HoH or NLHE-TAP. Theory of Poker is a bit less accessible and requires a lot more time invested to realize how to apply the concepts, whereas HoH ad NLHE-TAP give direct examples applied to NLHE.

I'm reading Harrington on Hold em Volume 1 right now and I'm hooked. I can't put it down (but I have too). So if you want my opinion, get Harrington on Hold em Volume 1 and 2.

You could ask me this question 100 times, and 100 times I will say Harrington on Holdem 1 and 2. That's 100 / 100, or 100%. Top that!!

Does theory of poker deal mainly with LHE or NL?
I didn't end up buying one yesterday; couldnt make it downtown through all the rain; but I'm goin today.

I'm leaning more towards the Harrington series; then maybe ToP later on.

Theory of Poker doesn't deal with any specific form of poker, it uses five-card draw and stud as well as Hold 'em and Razz to illustrate the idea behind poker, and doesn't focus on specific situations.

The HoH series is great, you won't regret the buy. For specifically cash games, I think there's more to gain from No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practise, however, but since you play quite a few SnGs and such too, HoH may be the better buy at this point.

Good stuff; I'm off to the bookstore!
Thanks for the input Fredrik, Beriac and Tim

I think I'll be right behind you, looking for any help I can get at this point.

Well it took me about an hour to find my goddam wallet, but once I found it I was out the door
I bought Harrington on Holdem vol 1 and 2, and only halfway through the first section, I'm loving it. This is exactly what I was looking for. I was also eyeing Small Stakes Holdem by Miller Sklansky and Malmuth, which looks pretty good too - that or ToP are is next on my list.

Thanks for the opinions guys; Harrington's books are a bullseye for what I was looking for.

Sorry I got to posting this late. I'm reading HoH vol 1, and simply love it. In particular I like the problems where he goes through every step of the decision making process.

ChuckTs said:

Well it took me about an hour to find my goddam wallet, but once I found it I was out the door

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If you were gonna buy beer you'd of found it in 2 minutes.

The HOH books are great, perfect for MTT tourneys!!!

Chuck, you dont buy books online?Its much cheaper then at the store. I bought HOH 1 & 2 from Amazon and paid less then $40 (free shipping) and I got them like in 2 days. So far I read all of volume 1 and the best thing I learned from it ,its the continuation and probe bets theory.My next book might be NLHE-TAP since I mostly play cash games .

poker books are good for new players. However, I havent bought a book where I found anything new or learned anything that I couldnt have thought of on my own.

So in my opinion they are kind of worthless. Unless of course you want to learn about stud or something. But there are thousands of articles online for free that you can read, and learn just as much or if not more from them.

MrPow said:

Poker books are good for new players. However, I havent bought a book where I found anything new or learned anything that I couldnt have thought of on my own.

So in my opinion they are kind of worthless. Unless of course you want to learn about stud or something. But there are thousands of articles online for free that you can read, and learn just as much or if not more from them.

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Show me a free online resource where I can find something that hasn't been derived (and changed for the worse) from a professionally-written poker book, and I'll give you credit for what you said.

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with you.

Good Call buying the HoH Vols 1+2.

I work away a lot so have a lot of spare time to read these. I have found them invaluable and the even better news is this:

Harrington on Hold 'em: Expert Strategies for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. III--The Workbook (Harrington on Hold'em) (Paperback)

Think it came out this week.

Its on Amazon

Cheers and happy reading

ChuckTs said:

I'm sorry, but I completely disagree with you.

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As do I.

I like Lee Jones' "Winning Low Limit holdem" so far. I was reading it last night while playing a $2/4 table and went up about $75 so maybe that's the reason I like it! The pre-flop and position play is what I find most helpful so far.

NLHE T&P should be your next buy IMO. Best NLHE book i've ever read.

There are a couple good books on lybrary.com that I have read. online poker Mastery (Basics, sort of) and another that I can't find right now. But def. check that out, good cheap books but very helpful.