Really BAD Poker Books

There are a lot of discussions about good or valuable poker books, but very little about which ones to avoid. So I thought this might be helpful. I'll add my own favorites periodically.

If you list a book, please also make a brief comment as to why you believe a text is horrible.

My first entry is:
Programmed Poker by Jim Glenn
Read this book only if you want to go broke quickly. The author has no clue about the basics of the game, such as position.

I like your idea - to create an anti-rating of poker books. In fact, good books are known, but there is always something new, and not all books about poker are equally useful.

Noted. I find it surprising that books on game strategy are not first vetted by gaming publishers before distribution. Was Glenn's book an independent?

Before I purchase any books I always read reviews. Not just reviews on one website either. I've yet to buy a bad book. Things may be dated but there's always some use. I do have something you may not have realized about that bad book. There's players using those strategies. If you can adjust to these playing styles because of that book it was worth the read and purchase.

Seems like a decent idea although worth mentioning that if you don't get something out of a book, it doesn't necessarily mean others won't either. But know not to go searching for that book now. Agree with the idea to read reviews first.

Some books have some redeeming qualities but others have none.

Winning Methods of Bluffing and Betting in Poker by L. Taetzch
The author does not seem to understand that in a real poker game, every player does not play every hand to the end.

Have you thought about this post for a long time ?
Maybe 5 months or one year ?
It may be better before you post something, think again?

Hahaha I haven't run across any terrible ones really... good looking out though.

Eight or Better,High-Low Split, Seven Stud by K.A. Coddington
Another good book to read if you want to lose all your money real fast, as the author has very little understanding of stud eight-or better.

Poker, California Lowball, Hi-Low split Poker with a (Joker) as played in Home Games, How to Play like the Professional for Pleasure and Profit by Robert Quisenberry
If you think the title is confusing, the text is even more so. And highly inaccurate as well.

Money Poker by Mr. X as told to Walter Gibson
One of the worst poker books ever written. Mr X has no idea how to play poker, but since he makes quads so often, he probably doesn't need to.

Mental game of poker useless as all the proffesion called psychology
...

This thread would be a lot more constructive if you could explain WHY the advice was bad. In each book that you mention, you could tell us what was wrong with the author's Poker logic. Otherwise how can the forum benefit from your work? I don't mean to sound negative. Just genuinely want to know why I should avoid these books.


R

Lorpugo said:

Mental game of poker useless as all the proffesion called psychology
...

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I disagree. The mental game of Poker is one of the most important books ever written in this field.

It has nothing to do with the game

Do you honestly believe that human psychology has nothing to do with Poker?

Ragequit said:

This thread would be a lot more constructive if you could explain WHY the advice was bad. In each book that you mention, you could tell us what was wrong with the author's Poker logic. Otherwise how can the forum benefit from your work? I don't mean to sound negative. Just genuinely want to know why I should avoid these books.


R

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I started this list with books that have basically NO redeeming qualities. As such, they are obscure and not well known so there’s no point in offering more than one or two sentences as to why they are truly BAD.

In the future I am going to post some books that have sold well and are well regarded, but are still basically flawed. You will be amazed (and might even disagree) that these books make the list, therefore they will merit a bit more of an explanation as to why.

The whole point was to start a discussion.

I think this list (of worst books) is shady and questionable. How can some great books, which was written by some great players, sometimes even wsop winners, can help you improve your online game, when it was written much earlier than online poker became popular, or writer never play online? How can Caros book can help you to detect bluff online? Or this book is also senseless? Till now i read 3 books about poker, and find they are not bad. If you cant find author point, try to read it again or find other one, which will suit you!

Winning California Poker by Vern Albery
Is a book about draw poker that doesn't ever mention sandbagging worth reading?.

Whaevoz said:

I started this list with books that have basically NO redeeming qualities. As such, they are obscure and not well known so there’s no point in offering more than one or two sentences as to why they are truly BAD.

In the future I am going to post some books that have sold well and are well regarded, but are still basically flawed. You will be amazed (and might even disagree) that these books make the list, therefore they will merit a bit more of an explanation as to why.

The whole point was to start a discussion.

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Of course friend. I wasn't being rude. I just wanted some more details.

R

I dint finish the course from ed miller, actually i didnt like any of ed millers books. i feel like his telling the same stuff in new covers and i dont get much out of it...

Hold’em Poker for Winners by Carl Anderson
One of the worst books ever written about Hold’em. Most of it is unintelligible and some parts are just plain stupid. The game situations described are totally ridiculous, and if you follow the author’s advice you will be felted fast.

PLAY POKER LIKE THE PROS BY HELLMUTH JR YUK

Whaevoz said:

Poker, California Lowball, Hi-Low split Poker with a (Joker) as played in Home Games, How to Play like the Professional for Pleasure and Profit by Robert Quisenberry
If you think the title is confusing, the text is even more so. And highly inaccurate as well.

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I see you read a lot of books about poker. How did it improve your game?