Best poker books

B

buktu22

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
May 4, 2012
Total posts
2
Chips
0
Hi guys,
I've been playing hold 'em on a casual level for about 5-6 years now, mostly playing with friends, a few minor local tournaments and on-line now and then. But a recent profitable trip to a casino poker room has made me want to hone my skills and take the game more seriously. I've started my poker education by reading a load of articles on-line, and also by buying a few poker books. I already had a copy of Phil Gordon's Little Blue book lying around which i've read in the past few days, and am borrowing his Little Green book from a friend to read. I know that there are other books in the series which i might go out and buy, but i was just wondering everyones opinion on these books? I found the information useful and easy to apply to my own game because of the examples given along with the analysis. I've already ordered a couple of other books that i intend to read that most articles say are among the best on the subject - Harrington on Holdem vol 1, Caro's Book of tells, Doyle Brunsons Super system, Killer poker online, Killer poker no limit and Online Ace and was just wondering if anyone had any other recommended reading?
 
Poker Orifice

Poker Orifice

Fully Tilted
Platinum Level
Joined
Jan 19, 2008
Total posts
25,600
Awards
6
CA
Chips
968
Phil Gordon's Little BlueLittle Green book
. I know that there are other books in the series which i might go out and buy,
I'd just stick with those first two Phil Gordon books, although his most recent one is decent too.
I've already ordered a couple of other books that i intend to read that most articles say are among the best on the subject - Harrington on Holdem vol 1, < Harrington series is good (good foundation to start off with for tournament play, be sure to read 'Vol.2 End Game play' as well
Caro's Book of tells,< you can access all of this (& MUCH more) online. I wouldn't bother to buy this book
Doyle Brunsons Super system, < outdated, don't bother wasting any money on this book (or SS 2 either)
Killer poker online, < crappy imo
Killer poker no limit < crappy
and Online Ace < never heard of it (would also assume crappy/not worth bothering with)
and was just wondering if anyone had any other recommended reading?
For tournament play:
"Winning Poker Tournaments - One Hand At A Time Vol.1 & Vol.2" < but be sure to read Harrington books first. These two nlhe tournament books are all you'll need to read as far as books go (imo).
 
B

buktu22

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
May 4, 2012
Total posts
2
Chips
0
Thanks for the advice, im glad to see that some of the books i've already purchased are on that list and hope to buy some more of the other ones. Do you have any general advice on how i should improve my poker playing? I know the theory books must be a great help but will i improve mainly through gaining experience... Also i've seen a load of pay per view poker training sites and videos around, are any of them worth subscribing too or will is all the information on them going to be in the books anyway?

Thanks for the help again
 
J

Johniblayze1

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
May 6, 2012
Total posts
13
Chips
0
Hold'em Poker For Advanced Players is a good 1.

If you want, PM your email & I will send you a couple free ones.

As far as video sites go I like dueces cracked the best. Having said that tho there is a ton of good info at cardrunners and husng.com is another great site if your playing husngs.
 
P

PotluckXXI

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Total posts
520
Chips
0
Don't bother with Super System it's geared to a different time and not really relevant today. I like Carro's book but useless for online play. HOH is solid as well as Phil Gordon's LGB and LBB are good. I can't really say about the other books mentioned but they have never been given really good reviews. Frankly Poker Orifice is dead on, the only real question is what game do you want to play; what stakes; ring or tourny; brick & mortar or online. Those will determine which books you should read.
 
M

mcbluffin311

Rising Star
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 30, 2012
Total posts
24
Chips
0
Hold'em Poker For Advanced Players is a good 1.
It is good, but OP might want to know that it only addresses limit. I agree that Super System is dated, not a lot of useful content compared to other books out there today. HoH Vol II is the best of the series. I really liked Professional No-Limit Hold'em by Ed Miller and NLHE Theory and Practice by Sklansky.
 
beanstalk

beanstalk

Enthusiast
Silver Level
Joined
Apr 24, 2012
Total posts
47
Chips
0
For Tournaments: Harrington on Holdem 1 & 2, then read the forums and play a lot, then read Kill Everyone, and Raiser's Edge
 
S

snugglechud

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
May 9, 2012
Total posts
3
Chips
0
I'm reading Kill Everyone right now and it's great. Super System sucked (I second that). Harrington is very very good when you are starting out. Theory of poker is pretty boring, but I'm glad I read it. Gets you to stop thinking mechanically and much more conceptually.
 
Mark Jacobs

Mark Jacobs

Rising Star
Bronze Level
Joined
Apr 28, 2012
Total posts
3
Chips
0
I'll disagree a little on the usefulness of Super System. Although it might be a bit dated, it's still probably one of the foundation books that many top players learned from. Also, it's still read by a lot of players which can make it useful just to know how someone else might be thinking. I was playing in a live game a few years ago and somebody was playing very aggressively and when another player mentioned it, he said he was just following the advice in Super System. Saying that out loud was the dumbest thing he could do since I was able to predict a lot of his future moves and won a few nice pots off him.

The one book I don't think anyone mentioned - and for my money the best poker book out there - is Sklansky's Theory of Poker. Not specifically geared to NL but I can't see trying to be a serious player without being very familiar with the info in there.

One other self-serving note, if anyone is interested in poker fiction, they might want to check out my ebook detective novel, Pascal's Wager at Amazon or Barnes & Nobles. Filled with references to Sklansky, Caro and others.
 
Reptar7

Reptar7

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Feb 12, 2012
Total posts
783
Chips
0
Treat Your Poker Like A Business- Dusty "Leatherass9" Schmidt
 
P

PotluckXXI

Visionary
Silver Level
Joined
Aug 25, 2011
Total posts
520
Chips
0
The one book I don't think anyone mentioned - and for my money the best poker book out there - is Sklansky's Theory of Poker. Not specifically geared to NL but I can't see trying to be a serious player without being very familiar with the info in there.

Yes it is one of the best but too advanced for beginning players, what may look simple is actually fairly complex logic and analysis.
 
Top