Poker Books Worth It?

Enzo1089

Enzo1089

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I have been playing poker for some time now. I mainly play live, but I've recently gotten really into online poker. As I've navigated these forums, I've noticed a lot of people talking about books for poker...both for live and online. Am I one of the few who just goes by, I don't know... gut instinct maybe? (Searching for the right word here lol). I've never even thought to look into books for poker whether it be online or live. I don't mean to be the least bit cynical here, but I think that using books for poker may very well just be a great waste of time. Or am I being naive? As I am new(ish) to the whole poker scene.

When playing live, I feel that overall poker skill lies solely in reading your opponent (if possible), and analyzing your cards with the possibilities of other hands when the flop, turn, and river come along. Same with online poker, minus the whole reading your opponent thing. That and there is obviously some luck involved as well.

So I guess what I would like to know is whether or not books about poker to improve your game is really worth it. If it is, what books would you recommend? For those who have already tried the books, has it had a positive bankroll effect on your game?
 
hique0411

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speaks bro!
I already read over 10 poker books and articles on poker, and i have created a strategy starting from what I read.
The poker books are very instructive and very good for you to get a sense of certain things in the game. But you may well be a good player without having read nothing. reading about poker you will be a more complete player!
 
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BomTombadil

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You said "When playing live, I feel that overall poker skill lies solely in reading your opponent." This is obv important, but there are other skills too. Reading books can give you good fundamentals and can help you understand the math. This is important in any poker game no matter how good you read the other players. It's important to really understand the concepts in poker books and be able to apply them to your style and to your table. Don't just blindly do what the authors say. If you use them this way you'll find they can greatly improve your understanding of the game and your over all quality of play.
 
MediaBLITZ

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Depends on the book - it could be a waste of time or it could elevate your game.

If you are making a bunch of money playing poker then why mess with success?

If you are wanting to increase your skills at the table you only have a few options - coaching (expensive), videos (usually need to join subscription site), books (best option for cost effectiveness but if you aren't a reader/digester maybe a bad investment).

BUT - your opponents are reading books and you could very well recognize the strategies they employ from a book you have read - whether it changed your game or not.

I have read books and many have helped my bankroll - a lot. Some screwed me up and I had to start over.

Most popular reading material by most poker players are authored by Sklansky, Gordon, Harrington and Miller.
 
rocket316

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Reading good strategy books is definitely NOT a waste of time. But before you start investing a lot of money into books check out all the free stuff available on the internet. There are loads of great articles on sites and forums such as this one. Just reading and posting on the forums will improve you game and costs nothing!
 
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Just because if you are making money or not should not deter you away from ways to expand your game. People are getting better and better at poker, so I would advise take any edge you can get.
 
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Trimming1

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I recommend Doyle Brunson

As a MUST have for any serious player. Content is worth the price.:D
 
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detourglr

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I think it is good to read books.. but you have to understand that strategy might not fit in to your Poker image.. However it is a good thing to be familiar to all poker strategies so you may indentify it at the table... You might even get some info before a tournament starts by asking what poker books a person reads.

Myself I find it hard time to play poker alone than studying it.
 
Enzo1089

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Referring to the post from Trimming1 - I actually looked into Doyle Brunson recently. What book would you recommend from him though? He has several, and if I do go the whole reading-route for improving my game, I would like to know which book would be best to get.

Also, to the people who are saying to get the books to understand more of the math side of things...I'm just not really sure I need a book to understand that. I'm going to be graduating college soon with a degree in computer science, but a minor in MATH. To get this minor, I took Calculus 1, 2, and 3. Along with 2 semesters of a class named Probability and Statistics (1 and 2). Actually, one of the subjects in Prob/Stat II was the probability of poker hands when playing texas holdem, which was pretty interesting to me ;)

Just as a little aside, I'm kind of surprised at how quickly this thread blew up. I posted this on July 2nd, checked back on the 3rd and it had over 100 views, but no replies. Apparently it got quite a few replies on the 4th though :p
 
MediaBLITZ

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I would like to know which book would be best to get.

:p

Any answer you would get on this is just a shot in the dark until you supply vital information that effects the recommendation - and you wouldn't want the recommendation of anyone who would fail to ask these questions.


Cash or tournament focus?
If tournament - structure and field size?

Live or online focus?

Stakes played most often?
How long playing these stakes?

Fill in this info and you will get better answers. Just a hunch - but based on your latest post you might thrive with a steady diet of Sklansky. Definitely "Theory of Poker" should be in your library.

Keep in mind the game has evolved SUBSTANTIALLY since Doyle Brunson ruled the tables with his methods of play. Not only has the game changed but books on the subject over the years have changed also. Once upon a time, poker reading started and ended with Brunson. But there just wasn't much available. All respect to Doyle, but today there are just those who do it better, both at the table and the typewriter.
 
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TheLulham

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Isn't there an argument that says a lot of these expert poker blogs will contain a lot of knowledge and expertise anyway as these brilliant players have done all the reading for you and transfer the knowledge over to bitesize chunks.

In other words learn from pros who have done all the hard work and reading for you as these books will only regurgitate a lot of what they say
 
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coelho2013

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read books and always good, and best of poker still to improve our knowledge, we do evolve as players and strategies.
 
bezobrazny

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I can advice you to play more and more, it's better than any book you can find.
 
Poker Orifice

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Referring to the post from Trimming1 - I actually looked into Doyle Brunson recently. What book would you recommend from him though? He has several, and if I do go the whole reading-route for improving my game, I would like to know which book would be best to get.

Also, to the people who are saying to get the books to understand more of the math side of things...I'm just not really sure I need a book to understand that. I'm going to be graduating college soon with a degree in computer science, but a minor in MATH. To get this minor, I took Calculus 1, 2, and 3. Along with 2 semesters of a class named Probability and Statistics (1 and 2). Actually, one of the subjects in Prob/Stat II was the probability of poker hands when playing texas holdem, which was pretty interesting to me ;)

Just as a little aside, I'm kind of surprised at how quickly this thread blew up. I posted this on July 2nd, checked back on the 3rd and it had over 100 views, but no replies. Apparently it got quite a few replies on the 4th though :p

When you were studying Calculus, were the 'books' helpful for that? (get what I'm sayin'?)
Also, you've picked out the one response in this thread that I could not disagree more with (Doyle's books). They are so far down the list as a recommended read I wouldn't put them in Top50 (prob not Top100).

As mentioned by Media, post what game you're interested in. From reading your post I see you decribe yourself as 'new-ish'. In that case I'd recommend Phil Gordon's Little Green Book.

Then, if you're playing nlhe tournaments, read HOH series (1 & 2).
For SNG's read > Collin Moshmann's SNG Strategy

For more advanced tourney play read "Winning Poker Tournaments - One Hand At A Time" vol. 1 & 2 (& maybe '3').

"Kill Everyone"
&
"Raiser's Edge" are also good tourney books.
 
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mr elite boy

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i think it's the best solo solution
 
Enzo1089

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As mentioned by Media, post what game you're interested in. From reading your post I see you decribe yourself as 'new-ish'. In that case I'd recommend Phil Gordon's Little Green Book.

There it is again. The Little Green Book. I've seen this turning up everywhere, but I never really thought that that was the actual name of the book. I thought it was just kind of a nickname for a book.

For those who want me to post my game interests, I play mostly NLHE Tournaments, both SNG and MTT. Also play the cash games for NLHE. Sometimes I find myself in Omaha games of the above types as well, but that is more of a rare occurrence.
 
italiano

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I think the same as you that reading books does not serve anything for online poker. Very different is if you read one book to live poker that if it is useful and help you to see the movements of the individual gestures. behind the compu unfortunately you can not see your opponent
 
stately7

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There's always value in certain books, even just to cross-reference generally accepted wisdoms with your own game. See what you agree / disagree with and why.

Gordon's Little Green Book is a classic, and mostly for Tournament players, because it's really very clear and simple, therefore often recommended to beginners. But the wisdom is def there even as a refresher for non-beginners. Take for example the section of playing two-pair on the flop. Vastly different situations analysed depending on top, middle or bottom two pairs, position, plus more obviously board texture etc.
 
MediaBLITZ

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There it is again. The Little Green Book. I've seen this turning up everywhere, but I never really thought that that was the actual name of the book. I thought it was just kind of a nickname for a book.

For those who want me to post my game interests, I play mostly NLHE Tournaments, both SNG and MTT. Also play the cash games for NLHE. Sometimes I find myself in Omaha games of the above types as well, but that is more of a rare occurrence.

A buddy (who just played wsop) recently stated to me he had read Phil Gordon or Daniel Negreanu (how wasn't sure) saying they were still able to play well with 30 BB. He translated that to small ball poker is a fine strategy when you have 30 BB left in a tourney. Uh, no. Negreanu is not playing small ball with 30 BB. Confusion by not keeping what he's reading straight.

I would recommend you choose to play either tourney or cash for the next several months while you are reading. It can get confusing keeping strategies separated and end up costing you money. Also stick with one author (Gordon or Harrington at this point) or you are going to conflicting ideas, such as ace rag is worth big bonus points vs it doesn't matter at all if they are suited. That will be decision you can make but you don't need a bunch of virtual coaches contradicting each other while you are trying to learn.
Be ready to digest what you read, aka read between the lines, aka meditate or thoughtfully consider what you are reading.

As stated by the wise and venerable Poker Orifice, "I'd recommend Phil Gordon's Little Green Book.

Then, if you're playing NLHE tournaments, read Harrington On HoldEm series (1 & 2)."

These will at least get you up to par with what the other readers at your tables are covering.
 
Michael Paler

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I would start with the "poker bible"; Doyle Brunsons super system volumes one and two. These have more than just Hold'em, cash and MTT. Lots of insights from the best of the best at time written.

Then, you can select books based off of what you play and want to accomplish. Select carefully, as there are many claiming to have the best advice only to be putting out some really bad advice and strategy just to sell some books. :)
 
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Thats True a lot of books either do with cash/Tournaments really depending on ur style of play. But its alwasy good to read books and learn more, does not mean u have to start playing like that, sometimes the best stratagy cant be explained in books, has to be live
 
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I've never been a big believer in books.. playing volume and discussing of hands amongst other solid players is how you really get better.
 
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coelho2013

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worthwhile for beginners when we're naked higher degree not think makes much difference.
 
Arjonius

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Depends on the book and on you. There's the matter of fit; as an obvious example, a very advanced player won't learn anything from a book aimed at beginners. Also, people learn in different ways, so books are better suited to some people than to others.
 
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