Amateur/Micro NL Books & Tools?

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AlJoyce

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Hi guys, wondering if you can recommend any books that will help me begin my journey to becoming a better player?

At the moment I play relatively well in micro-stakes and in freeroll tournaments; I know it's not much but I'm slowly improving.

I'm not quite ready for heavier stuff just yet, because I'm not terribly good at maths and it's probably going to take me a while to get my brain into gear!

So yeah, any books or courses for someone at an early stage like myself who wants to become a better player?

EDIT: Oh god, durhhh, to clarify; I play NL holdem and atm I can usually either win or get into the top 5 in freeroll tourneys. I know vaguely about things like odds, when to fold, assessing values.

Also, can anyone recommend playing a different game? Perhaps Limit Hold Em? Are there advantages to this type/which is "easier"?

Cheers,
Al :)
 
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Schnorzel

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I would recommend the books from Dan Harrington, he wrote three books on Tournament and one for Cash and Cash Online. Those are really great while not to expessive. He structures his Chapters with info, examples and Problems. On the Problem pages he works out some hands in Detail, I really liked to decide my actions then check what the book says.

Pokermath isn´t really that necessary you need to know some matchups and the easy 2/4 rule. Number of outs *2 * number of cards you will see.

I would say Holdem NL should be the easiest, because it is so popular.
 
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AlJoyce

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Ah thanks for the reply man, much appreciated.
 
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baxre

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About tools:
You should have hud and programs to analyzing hands like HRC, poker ranger. Free software I can recommend you equilab.
 
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hffjd2000

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Since youre a newbie, I recommend Little Green Book by Phil Gordon. Its a general tournament poker book.

Easy read.
 
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floweryhead

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I agree... the Harrington books are great...I'm re-reading them all myself at the moment (for about the 5th time)
 
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AlJoyce

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Thanks pals, astute answers, got myself some cheapish copies of Harrington's stuff, will look into the Little Green Book too, software-wise I'm using FPDB atm which is pretty alright so far, and some odds calculators for when I'm in a bit of a hurry/timeout.

Al :)
 
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Jeremy Schatz

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I like Crushing the Microstakes because although it applies to cash games, the info is relevant to tourneys as well. The author doesn't ever try to put you in marginal spots starting out, and since you have a HUD he talks about them a lot when talking about decisions. Its just he really tries to make you think how to beat the players -- not the game.
 
AugustWest

AugustWest

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I like Crushing the Microstakes because although it applies to cash games, the info is relevant to tourneys as well. The author doesn't ever try to put you in marginal spots starting out, and since you have a HUD he talks about them a lot when talking about decisions. Its just he really tries to make you think how to beat the players -- not the game.
Best text for MicroStakes hands down....
 
BiliousBetil

BiliousBetil

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Low Limit Cash

Good suggestions all. Once you've become grounded, a more advanced NLH book is "Easy Game" by Andrew (Baluga Whale) Seidman, now in it's 3rd edition. Not for beginners, but very good. :)
 
coolDadJimbo

coolDadJimbo

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yeah, i've read the 3 harrington books and they are good.... they do focus more on tournament play, though... and are preoccupied with rising blinds...

i am now readin sklansky/miller nlhe-theory and practice.... it's good too and not so focussed on tournaments... it is a little heavier in the math though...

i didn't know harrington wrote a cash/online book... i'll be looking for that one...

i have been playing less than a year, so i'm no expert, but these have helped me understand the full complexity of the game....

tip: look on kijiji or any used sites.... i picked up 5 poker books for $20 total... a great deal considering they're 30+ brand new...
 
Landopope

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Crushing the Microstakes is a must read I believe. It provides a solid micro game that is very easy to mimic. I do believe though once you have read it you should just use what you have learned to adapt your own play style.

Also as someone else stated The Little Green Book by Phil Gordon is a great start for tournament play even though I found it a little outdated. The Little Green Book is availbable in audio which is why I got it. I am in the car a lot so have listened to it a few times through and feel it makes great use of time I would be spending just listening to the radio.

For a more updated poker book, I just started reading Elkys tournament book from 2011. A lot of new concepts I hadnt read and talks a lot about the evolution of games and how they have changed.
 
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AlJoyce

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Hmm, yeah interesting stuff on the "Crushing the Microstakes" book, you've all got me intrigued by that for sure!

I haven't been doing too well recently, usually I gain some kind of prize from low-level tourneys!

I think what's happening, though, is that I've been a bit flaky because of some of the new concepts coming through; it's gonna take a while to adjust.

For me, poker almost seems like "what NOT to do". I think it seems like you learn more when you learn from your mistakes. I've been trying out a lot of dumb plays, only when there's no money in (freerolls).

Poker: The way to win online is to basically, as a general rule, not play. Do you agree with this idea?
 
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Smolle10

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Mindset is well for the jump from the mirco and mids to the higher buy-ins.
Good psychological approaches and contents in this book.
 
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