So how are the HoH cash game books?

[Bentheman87]

I looked at a few reviews on Amazon but there wasn't much and the reviews didn't say that much, probably because the books just came out. Has anyone read them yet? Are these books worth the money? Is there anything new that hasn't been said before? Are they as good the tournament books? Do you know how Harrington gave a basic preflop strategy for the early stages of mtts in the tournament books? Does he do the same for a full ring table of unknowns, all about equal, deep stacks? Thanks.

 

[Stick66]

Since they just came out, you might not get any answers to these questions for a few months. Personally, I'll wait a couple months to see what is said before I'll buy these.

 

[zachvac]

From what I've seen people have said they were good although there were a few issues with some of the content. Of course I think all books should be approached critically and that flaws can be found in even books by pro players. From the sound of it he explains the theory well and that's the important thing. I'm definitely ordering them when they come out. I'll actually probably go now and order from amazon even though they're not supposed to ship for another week or so IIRC.

 

[WVHillbilly]

I have not finished them yet but I have read most of Vol 1 and parts of Vol 2. They're very well written (as expected) and do a good job of differentiating cash v tournament play. The main thrust of the books might be aimed at a tougher game than micro stakes players generally see (some of the randomizing may be overkill when we can generally get max value from weak players with a single pair) but there is a small section at the end of Vol 2 on playing weak games (Harrington says that most online games below NL50 and live games below 5-10 are generally weak games). Some of the plays Harrington suggest seem a little too tight (I haven't read his LAG section yet) but from my reading thus far his general idea for the entire book is to wait for big hands to play big pots and to exercise pot control when possible with any single pair (TP or overpair). When pot control is not possible (because our opponent wants to play a big pot) his general recommendation is to fold.

If you want to compare these books to HoH, I'd say that his starting hand requirements are much looser (even when describing a TAG style) but his requirements for pot commitment are much greater in a cash game versus a tourney.

 

[zachvac]

If you want to compare these books to HoH, I'd say that his starting hand requirements are much looser (even when describing a TAG style) but his requirements for pot commitment are much greater in a cash game versus a tourney.

Which actually makes perfect sense. If you're deepstacked you can afford to play a wider variety of hands because of implied odds, but because of reverse implied odds you want to have a much stronger hand to play for stacks with.

 

[NoWuckingFurries]

So how are the HoH cash game books?

You're supposed to be taking a break from poker, Ben - remember?

 

[royalburrito24]

You're supposed to be taking a break from poker, Ben - remember?

That does not mean he has to stop learning and getting better/gaining knowledge, does it?

 

[NineLions]

I have not finished them yet but I have read most of Vol 1 and parts of Vol 2. They're very well written (as expected) and do a good job of differentiating cash v tournament play. The main thrust of the books might be aimed at a tougher game than micro stakes players generally see (some of the randomizing may be overkill when we can generally get max value from weak players with a single pair) but there is a small section at the end of Vol 2 on playing weak games (Harrington says that most online games below NL50 and live games below 5-10 are generally weak games). Some of the plays Harrington suggest seem a little too tight (I haven't read his LAG section yet) but from my reading thus far his general idea for the entire book is to wait for big hands to play big pots and to exercise pot control when possible with any single pair (TP or overpair). When pot control is not possible (because our opponent wants to play a big pot) his general recommendation is to fold.

I'm not so far along, but this seems a pretty good assessment.

As I'm reading, I keep reminding myself that by default he's referring to high stakes poker. Occasionally he'll remind the reader himself by saying how to adjust to weaker players. For example, if I'm OOP I often find I can't control pot size too much with TP because the other player will bet/bet/bet anywhere I check.