Good poker books for the modern poker...

Chessplayer

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Ive seen articles for the top 10 poker books but they were all the old tighter game. So what would be the top 10 of the best modern poker books or good modern poker books.
 
SmithGT

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x2. Also interested in what people would recommend for the best modern poker books.
 
Poker Orifice

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Try out the search feature here on CC.
 
jaxpaboo

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I'm think "old tighter game" may still be the most profitable way to play poker. Thoughts? HoH is my vote.

Best thing about these 'older' books in the new players don't read them as much any more.
 
Poker Orifice

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Books for what type of poker?
 
Leo 50

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Harrington’s books are worth it as well as Doyle’s.
Doyle has always advocated aggression.

:cool:
 
bricht

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In my opinion Doyles book is practically useless. I read the Hold'em part of it and well... firstly he isn't a very good writer, secondly it IS outdated.
My favourite book so far is the Phil Gordons Little Green Book - old, but still useful.
BlackRain79 has a relatively new book on playing microstakes, that might be what you are looking for.
 
Demonomania

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In my opinion Doyles book is practically useless. I read the Hold'em part of it and well... firstly he isn't a very good writer, secondly it IS outdated.

^ Well then, why don't you write one for all of us?
..You seem to be so full of knowledge on the topic
knowing what should & shouldn't be put in a poker book
& how it should be written.

We're looking forward to it.
 
Arjonius

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It depends. For anyone at the beginner level, learning to play ABC first to serve as a solid foundation to build on is what I recommend. And if you're content to be a consistent winner at the micro levels, although with a lower win rate than the top players, you can get there without adding a whole lot more to your game. At these levels, the game isn't quite as fishy as it was a few years ago, but the easiest way to win money is still the same; let the weaker opponents beat themselves.
 
Poker Orifice

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In my opinion Doyles book is practically useless. I read the Hold'em part of it and well... firstly he isn't a very good writer, secondly it IS outdated.
My favourite book so far is the Phil Gordons Little Green Book - old, but still useful.
BlackRain79 has a relatively new book on playing microstakes, that might be what you are looking for.
Agreed 100% with this ^ (depends on what you're playing though)
^ Well then, why don't you write one for all of us?
..You seem to be so full of knowledge on the topic
knowing what should & shouldn't be put in a poker book
& how it should be written.

We're looking forward to it.
I actually think what 'bricht' wrote was right on the money (100% accurate!!!). Didn't see him suggest that he's writer either??:confused: (nor did I see him write about what should & shouldn't be put in a poker book???). I'm not looking forward to it (unless perhaps bricht is actually a writer?).

'Chessplayer', as bricht suggested, Phil Gordon's 'Little Green Book' is a good read (it is the one book I'll always recommend to players who've never read a poker book before & to others who've only read stuff like 'SuperSystem').

If tournament play is what you're into, you could follow the LittleGreenBook up with:
Harrington On Holdem Vol. 1 & 2 (not so much for today's game but definitely good for a foundation to work with & before picking up other books).

'Kill Everyone' (Elky edition)

'Winning Poker Tournaments - One Hand At A Time' (Vol. 1 & 2) - geard more towards $100+ buyin online tourneys (translates to high buyin live tourneys as well).

'Sit'nGo Strategy' by Collin Moshmann (if you're going to be playing STT-SNG's).
'or'
'Secrets of Sit 'n gos' by Phil Shaw

'The Raiser's Edge' (this is basically the sequel to the 'Kill Everyone' book, with new material geared towards 'todays game' with some material in it from Tony Dunst). Good book! (but I'd read some of the others first for sure!).

Some of these books you'll be able to pick up at your local library. If they don't have it on their shelves see if they can get it for you via 'inter-library book loan'.

If 'cashgame' play is more of what you're looking to play, I'm sure some others will be able to help you out. But the one suggested by 'bricht' has some great reviews for micro cashgame players & another that many will recommend is 'Professional No-Limit Hold'em'. Also the Harrington cash game books are worth a read.
 
Demonomania

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Seriously? ...how do even argue with me on this? The guy basically says Super System is useless and makes remarks on how terrible the author wrote it.

So he's dead on the money (100% accurate)?

..k
 
bricht

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Seriously? ...how do even argue with me on this? The guy basically says Super System is useless and makes remarks on how terrible the author wrote it.

So he's dead on the money (100% accurate)?

..k

Have you ever tried applying Brunsons strategy to the tables? I've read just a few books so far but the fact is I started out with Brunson since he is probably the most famous poker writer ever lived. Super Systems was pretty hard to thoroughly understand at some parts and literally hurt my game for a short while since it is useless for beginners level.
While there is, without doubt, valuable information in that book there are so many more practical books out there right now. Poker develops just like everything else.

P.S. Is Brunson your relative or something you wacko? Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as its not complete bull.
You sound like a christian talking about bible :argh: .
And Brunson say'd : Thou shall not fold.
 
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L

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Agression is fine (Doyle) until yo hit a bad run and run really really bad. Of course you will win more than most too but the swings suck. Worst part of it all is players read you with slightly weaker cards - which gets yo more calls - which is never gd. If you play a lil tighter and pick your spots (like when yuo feel the table is weak, u r in position etc) you can pick off some blinds and min raises free ...
 
quintass

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Well I've read my share of books, and the 2 words found in many of those books that have helped me the most are passsive / agressive. Works 80 % of the time!
 
Leo 50

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The reason I suggested Doyle’s book is that it seems to be the starting point for
many good players.

If you are talking about ‘live’ poker then I think he approach is still valid, although it does need to be
applied cautiously in many situations.

If you talking about ‘online’ poker then I can see where many players would
find it to be outdated.

Playing poker against someone on one live table is different than grinding out 6 or more virtual tables.

Just my 2¢

:cool:
 
MediaBLITZ

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If i understand the question correctly then the answer is -

DO NOT give up on the "old school TAG" books. Yes the game has evolved beyond this BUT it is a very important foundation for any player because:

#1) It is an excellent starting point. It is solid foundation for what is happening right now. Many facets are still in play with ANY player. Skipping this is almost like trying to go to algebra without first studying multiplication and division.

#2) As a micro/small stakes player you will find 85%+ of your competition is rooted in this style of play. Know your enemy.

#3) To be successful (especially in tournament) you should have several different gears/styles that you can successfully play to keep everyone else off balance.


It's like that Tom Dwan commercial (was it for poker stars) where he is looking in a mirror and talking about how he used to try to play like other players (while "reflections" of Negreanu and others would show in the mirror), "But now I just play like me."
That's pretty much the formula - learn it all and evolve yourself. No shortcuts - it will take years.

And yes, you can skip Doyle's book - not that it isn't good it's just that others have done it better since then (like Gordon and Harrington).
 
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Demonomania

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Have you ever tried applying Brunsons strategy to the tables? I've read just a few books so far but the fact is I started out with Brunson since he is probably the most famous poker writer ever lived. Super Systems was pretty hard to thoroughly understand at some parts and literally hurt my game for a short while since it is useless for beginners level.
While there is, without doubt, valuable information in that book there are so many more practical books out there right now. Poker develops just like everything else.

P.S. Is Brunson your relative or something you wacko? Everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as its not complete bull.
You sound like a christian talking about bible :argh: .
And Brunson say'd : Thou shall not fold.

Doyle's book isn't useless for beginner level players. But as others have stated, there are far better books for beginners to start with. My point is that you're calling one of pokers most renowned books, useless. That is complete bull.

But I do apologize for the unnecessary sarcasm in my previous post. It was late and had been drinking when I wrote it (stupid excuse but the truth)

I'm of no relation to the Brunson family LOL. But I do see the similarities in bible-thumpers & how I approached this discussion, that would make it seem as though I was. So again, sorry.
 
Poker Orifice

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In my opinion Doyles book is practically useless. I read the Hold'em part of it and well... firstly he isn't a very good writer, secondly it IS outdated.

Seriously? ...how do even argue with me on this? The guy basically says Super System is useless and makes remarks on how terrible the author wrote it.
Actually he said 'He isn't a very good writer' not > 'how terrible the author wrote it'.

Curious, how many books have you read yourself to compare it with?
I've read SuperSystem & SuperSystemII 2x each & neither of them would even get on my Top40 list of poker books & I would personally 'never' recommend it to anyone, especially newer players. The only reason why I'd read it today is simply because of it's iconic status from the period it was written (from the standpoint of whether or not I think it'd help my play today I'd have to say it's pretty much useless)
 
Chessplayer

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Would Super System be a good purchase or is II better?
 
Tanner1

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If your looking for modern than my suggestion is forget about the books and look into some training sites. For me i learn better from seeing than reading.
 
Demonomania

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Actually he said 'He isn't a very good writer' not > 'how terrible the author wrote it'.

Perhaps I worded that wrong. What I should have said was, "He made remarks on how the book wasn't written 'very good'. And he's also right, he is entitled to his opinion, regardless if I agree or not. I shouldn't have said anything in the first place but I've already addressed that and apologized to him in an earlier post.

Curious, how many books have you read yourself to compare it with?
I've read SuperSystem & SuperSystemII 2x each & neither of them would even get on my Top40 list of poker books & I would personally 'never' recommend it to anyone, especially newer players. The only reason why I'd read it today is simply because of it's iconic status from the period it was written (from the standpoint of whether or not I think it'd help my play today I'd have to say it's pretty much useless)

I've read Super System, Super System 2, Daniel's Power Hold'em Strategy, and his other two "Hold'em Wisdom for all players" (those two are pretty useless imo), I've also read Phil Gordon's Little Green Book, Kill Phil, Harrington vol.1, and finally Don't Listen To Phil Hellmuth.


I've read a few e-books including, Ryan Fee's 6 Max NL Strategy Guide, Verneer's 'Moving up through NL 2010', and Miller, Mehta and Flynn's 'Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em'.

I've also been looking into purchasing “Crushing the Microstakes” by Blackrain79 since I've seen so many positive reviews here on CC & pretty much everywhere.


I have definitely not read over forty books like you. However, Doyle's book was the first that I had purchased (because of it's renown) and since have read it twice. I actually did receive what I needed from his book and it improved my game. I'm still learning, and there's many more books I need/want to read, but I think Super System was a good starting point for me (as a beginner). If you would like to share some other books that you've found useful, it would be much appreciated.
 
Arjonius

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Since SS and SS2 were written, the game has changed. However, this does not apply equally to all levels. The larger differences apply more to small stakes than to micros, more to mid- than to small, etc. Also more to intermediate players than beginners, more to advanced than intermediate, etc.

In terms of the books being out of date, it's not a binary, they are or they aren't situation. It's more of a sliding scale. I suspect a large majority of micro players can still find something of value in the books, especially SS2.

As for whether it's worth buying, that's an individual judgment. One thing many people can do is to check if your local library has it.
 
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