Modern Tournament Books

When I first began playing poker 3 or 4 years ago, I went to my local used bookstore and they had a rather large 2+2, Harrington, Sklansky, Malmuth, collection. I originally enjoyed them not only for their size and consistancy, but also for the sheer amount of example hands. I spent HOURS reading and re reading the 5 or 6 books i was able to pick up. At first these were suitable for the home games and low limit casino tables that I was starting with, however now that I live in another country I have transitioned into online play and I am having a much harder time using some of the older concepts I had picked up in those manuals. Specifically, they really conditioned me to be a TAG which doesnt really work too well online where I find myself against looser more unpredictable opponents, therefore I would like to study a more contemporary theory of play. Im wondering if anyone can recommend some more up to date literature concerning online play. Books please, as i prefer reading hard copies in my leisure time. Thanks!

Harrington book is the best tournament book I have seen in sometime and I am pretty sure Shaun Deeb online tourney legend took a lot from that book and crushed even more online 4-5 years ago So I would suggest re read Harrington s book.

Harrington books are pretty good, that is what I would recommend for you. But with all the online resources available I wouldn't buy a book unless you just want to.

What no one here has mentioned, is that tournament poker has evolved quite a bit over the past 10 years.

Like you, I too have purchased a few poker books, 2 Harrington on Hold’em tournament books and 2 the God-Father of poker (lol) Doyle Brunson’s super system books.

While all four of these books have fantastic information to learn the game, and how to become a solid player with time and practice, they had not prepared the readers with strategies of dealing with this direction of tournament poker [IMHO].

ssory83 said:

I have not read this book ... maybe I need, but I do not know where I can find it. Can someone recommend me where I can find it? Thank you.

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I purchased my 4 books on Amazon.

roy rounder

theres a series of books by ROY ROUNDER, they are very worth reading, I would recommend checking those out

If you want updated information, online is the place to go, search and you will find plenty.

Thank you everyone for the replies! I understand online is a good resource, but sometimes I like to get my head out of the screen and into a good book! If anyone here has a wife that doesnt play poker, im sure you can understand the importance of getting away from the game sometimes. Haha. But i never want to stop learning. That is why I asked

(^^)v

NBB said:

What no one here has mentioned, is that tournament poker has evolved quite a bit over the past 10 years.

Like you, I too have purchased a few poker books, 2 Harrington on Hold’em tournament books and 2 the God-Father of poker (lol) Doyle Brunson’s super system books.

While all four of these books have fantastic information to learn the game, and how to become a solid player with time and practice, they had not prepared the readers with strategies of dealing with this direction of tournament poker [IMHO].

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I disagree to a point there good resources for low stakes and mid stakes. It kind of cracks me up when I here these guys saying oh the game has changed so much. Kind of like the Germans and there solver programs. Everyone still gets 2 cards and dam near every strategy is exploitable even GTO But dont get me wrong I do understand where you are coming from.

I definitely cant say that the game has changed, as I have not been playing for long, however there most certainly is a difference in play style from the folks who wrote some of the older literature and the young guys dominating the online tables and the pro circuit. But i think probably my problems are mostly due to my own inexperience online, and the relative inexperience of my opponents coming to head. Its hard to properly analyze situations sometimes. Perhaps I should get a math book instead and just brush up on my probabilities. haha

Luvulongtime99 said:

Harrington book is the best tournament book I have seen in sometime and I am pretty sure Shaun Deeb online tourney legend took a lot from that book and crushed even more online 4-5 years ago So I would suggest re read Harrington s book.

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Are you referring to his original 3 book series or his latest book on Modern Tournament Poker?

books I read

I now read three books by the authors of which: Matthew Hilger, Tommy Angelo and Sklansky. I really like them .. I advise everyone ..

sammy22 said:

Are you referring to his original 3 book series or his latest book on Modern Tournament Poker?

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All of them. Plug as much information in tourney play as you can. read read read

I would recommend Raiser Edge and Kill Everyone. It really changes your style, being more aggressive. They are very good. I never heard something bad about this books. I think I will reread them now)

Glad I came to this post. I've kept asking myself this question. Thanks for the contribution.

I have over 35+ of the best poker books available on the market in .pdf format on a google drive that I have shared with over 300 players from the "Real Grinders" group on FB. I could add you to the drive if you would like. You can read them online or download them you just don't have access to edit/delete anything (someone actually deleted everything once lmao). Just let me know

The Raisers Edge is an excellent book!

AndySavage said:

I have over 35+ of the best poker books available on the market in .pdf format on a google drive that I have shared with over 300 players from the "Real Grinders" group on FB. I could add you to the drive if you would like. You can read them online or download them you just don't have access to edit/delete anything (someone actually deleted everything once lmao). Just let me know

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I would love to be added...

neafana said:

I would recommend Raiser Edge and Kill Everyone. It really changes your style, being more aggressive. They are very good. I never heard something bad about this books. I think I will reread them now)

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Do you need to read anything before these books? Are they kinda advanced for new or inexperienced players such as myself?

weak hands do not exist, forget about the books of any idiot with 7 * 2 can send you into a knockout, think your head here on line, here is life, you have to think now, and if you made a right choice, then you're alive, the rest of the garbage.

sammy22 said:

Do you need to read anything before these books? Are they kinda advanced for new or inexperienced players such as myself?

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If you are beginner, I wouldn't recommend it from the start.


You should stick to Harrington one and super system 2 (Doyle Bronson). They will give you an idea of a more tight game. I don't know if you will win a lot, but you will get an idea of the game.
I've started with Super System 2, Roy Rounder (in 2011 I think). From this moment I have never lost at poker, just small wins. Then I have read a lot of books(some of them I haven't finished, some where harder). I would recommend also Winning tournament one hand a time all the volumes (what I like in this ones is that they show you how to play your big cards in the beginning (JJ+), in order not lose your stack.
You know the theory: In the beginning Aces are winning small pots and lose big pots.
Then I discovered Raiser's edge and Kill Everyone, where I have learn a more aggressive games, hitting some bigger scores.
I've learn to shove more wide, to resteal from the blinds, stack sizes plays, etc.


Then poker evolved more and I found Jonathan Little books and videos (I have invested some money in this guy, especially books), which made win a few MTT's with 1$buy in, for more than 3000 players.
From that moment (2015 I'm sticking with him). He explains perfectly and you can learn a lot from him.

neafana said:

I would recommend Raiser Edge...

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I'm studying this book now. Very interesting.

Thanks for posting, I have been meaning to get a new book lately.

Luvulongtime99 said:

Harrington book is the best tournament book I have seen in sometime and I am pretty sure Shaun Deeb online tourney legend took a lot from that book and crushed even more online 4-5 years ago So I would suggest re read Harrington s book.

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Have you read Harrington’s most recent book....Harrington on Modern Tournament Poker? Came out in 2014 I think.
If you have, what are your thoughts on it?