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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
Dusty's book was excellent, I thought, as kind-of a "life primer" for those wanting to play poker seriously. Not a lot of poker strat there, per se, but some pretty good life strategy ideas.
Just because you are a great player does not necessarily make you a great writer. Hellmuth's books don't get much respect, and rightfully so, imo. There is far better stuff out there. If you insist on reading a "Phil" book, I'd recommend either Phil Gordon's "Little Green Book" series, or the "Kill Phil" series of books before I'd recommend anything by Hellmuth. Read his stuff if you must; just don't expect to get much out of it.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
Once again - very lame book. Chapter on paying taxes went something like "I'm not an accountant so you got me."
Funny how he could get his wife to write a chapter but not his tax man.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
Well Rudy, you and I usually see eye to eye. Hellmuth's book is fine and a decent starting place - it does lack detailed strategy though. It's not on my recommendation list but I wouldn't say it's a waste of time either.
So yes, Phil Gordon would be next in line. Then Harrington and then Kill "em All - Let God Sort Them Out series (or something like that).
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
I'll tell you this I was loving it until about half way through and then went, "Hey, wait a minute!". And that chapter on taxes did nothing but piss me off.
Surely no epiphanies or life changing stuff - it's an easy read but falls WAY short on claiming to "turn your hobby into an empire".
Dusty is very good at the hype (or his business partner). Brilliant move on titling a book "Don't Listen to Phil Hellmuth", right? But in fact misquotes and takes Phil and others out of context continually. Can't help but feel these books are a money/fame grab at the expense of others.
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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
Yeah,I know we generally agree on most things. That's why I'll temper my recommendation of Dusty's book somewhat 'til I have the time to read it again. PH's book just left me pretty disappointed. I generally put it near the bottom of my list as far as value/cost/time spent.
I just didn't get a whole lot from it. Maybe because I didn't read it until after I had read quite a few other books; I dunno. I pretty-much see the Little Green Book series by PG as the best place to start and the Kill Phil series is up there as well, imo.
I just didn't get a whole lot from it. Maybe because I didn't read it until after I had read quite a few other books; I dunno. I pretty-much see the Little Green Book series by PG as the best place to start and the Kill Phil series is up there as well, imo.
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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
I felt that way as well. I actually never even read that particular book of his. I know for awhile that was the popular thing, to bash PH, and say the game has passed him by. I always liked the guy and feel he obviously has a ton of poker talent, though he does need to work on his "people skills" some times. I was glad to see him do well in the wsop a couple of years back and silence most of the critics.
absoluthamm
<==Poker Face
Silver Level
Very true, whereas it is a great book, it is on the verge of not even being a poker book. The information inside could help someone who has never and will never play poker. I don't really recommend it at all for someone who is asking the very beginner question of which poker book they should read.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
yeah for example Phil had something in his book that was very clearly lined out for BEGINNING players getting their feet wet and Dusty ripped it apart like it was a strategy for everyone.
If I remember correctly I think it was just playing ultra tight opening hands - which is not bad advice for super newbie beginning players.
If I remember correctly I think it was just playing ultra tight opening hands - which is not bad advice for super newbie beginning players.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
You know I think that was it - about half way through - "What in the hell does this have to do with my poker game?" Well surely the chapter on taxes will be helpful - DOH
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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
Yeah, he does recommed super tight pre-flop play. IIRC only top 10 hands, perhaps top 12-15 hands if my memory is on the fritz again.
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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
Agree. It actually wasn't MY recommendation at all, but I was just saying I found some stuff in there that you'll likely not find in most/any other poker book. It's been repeated several times already itt, but I'd start with the Little Green Book series, and if you feel that is too much for you as a new player, then I guess I'd consider Hellmuth's book or some other, more basic book.
MediaBLITZ
Legend
Silver Level
Yeah, he does recommed super tight pre-flop play. IIRC only top 10 hands, perhaps top 12-15 hands if my memory is on the fritz again.
Yeah I think you're right - but again he was very clear that this was for absolute beginners. Then I think later in the book he expands the player to top 20 then up from there. But he was really misrepresented by Dusty when he failed to give the context for the statement.
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Big_Rudy
Legend
Silver Level
I could see that. Like I said I never read that particular one of his books. Dunno why, other than I wasn't too thrilled with the whole "let's bash Phil" bandwagon that was running so strongly at the time.
MadMaddie
Rock Star
Silver Level
Hey I read this book (moshmann) if its the SNG book you mean.
And now I'm reading Harrington on Holdem and that SNG book by Phil Shaw. They all seem really good to me but I think I might have to read them alot more times. I like the Phil Shaw SNG book because of the quizzes in it but I have only just started it.
fletchdad
Jammin................
Loyaler
Phil Shaw. He has 2 SnG books out. After Colin Moshman, he seems to be the "other" SnG guy. I believe he plays under Jackal69. (?)
C
Campbell
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I'm currently reading "Crushing low stakes poker: How to make $1000s playing low stakes SnGs" by Mike Turner. It's only available on the kindle at the moment and is well written for a beginner like me and for £1.91 you can't go wrong.
As well as that I'm reading the PDFs from SNG planet ($16/hour SnG Blueprint) I know the name really sounds like one of them "How to make $600/day from home" kind of things but it explains key concepts such as equity and ICM so well and has actually given me quite a lot of confidence, allbeit at the real micro level. It drills into you the importance of getting into the bubble no matter what and probably most importantly for me how to play heads up which is easily my biggest weakness.
The next one will definitely be "Crushing the microstakes" by Nathan Williams, even though it's about cash games. I really like how he writes and I admire how he deals with tilt. His blog is really good as i'm sure some of you know and he comes across as a really down to earth guy.
I read Moshman's SnG strategy years ago and ashamed to say I gave it to a charity shop a few months ago, before I got back into poker. I will get another copy after I've finished my current list.
As well as that I'm reading the PDFs from SNG planet ($16/hour SnG Blueprint) I know the name really sounds like one of them "How to make $600/day from home" kind of things but it explains key concepts such as equity and ICM so well and has actually given me quite a lot of confidence, allbeit at the real micro level. It drills into you the importance of getting into the bubble no matter what and probably most importantly for me how to play heads up which is easily my biggest weakness.
The next one will definitely be "Crushing the microstakes" by Nathan Williams, even though it's about cash games. I really like how he writes and I admire how he deals with tilt. His blog is really good as i'm sure some of you know and he comes across as a really down to earth guy.
I read Moshman's SnG strategy years ago and ashamed to say I gave it to a charity shop a few months ago, before I got back into poker. I will get another copy after I've finished my current list.
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