blonde poker forum

Poker Forums => The Rail => Topic started by: snoopy1239 on July 23, 2008, 08:40:32 PM



Title: Poker Books
Post by: snoopy1239 on July 23, 2008, 08:40:32 PM
What would be your top five strategy poker books?


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Longy on July 23, 2008, 08:54:19 PM
I don't think I own/ have read 5 strategy books.

The first 2 harringtons were pretty solid imo, much more to be learnt for free on the internet than in any poker strategy book imo.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: pokerram on July 23, 2008, 09:14:12 PM
super system 2. haringtons 1-3, and tom mcevoys tournament poker


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: DaveShoelace on July 23, 2008, 09:18:31 PM
Harrington 1 and 2, even though im a cash player there is no doubt these are the most groundbreaking books ever (in poker)
Elements of Poker by Tommy DeAngelo
Professional No Limit Hold 'Em by Ed Miller
And can we count Phil Tuffnels 'how to win poker' dvd?


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Grier78 on July 23, 2008, 09:50:53 PM
After Harrington (which you have to read as everyone else has) I rate the Killer Poker series by John Vorhaus, it may not be full of highbrow poker strategy but it does get down and dirty with modern(ish) low to mid stakes internet play. It is also quite well written.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: snoopy1239 on July 23, 2008, 11:29:34 PM
After Harrington (which you have to read as everyone else has) I rate the Killer Poker series by John Vorhaus, it may not be full of highbrow poker strategy but it does get down and dirty with modern(ish) low to mid stakes internet play. It is also quite well written.

Wow, couldn't agree more. In fact, I didn't realise anyone else agreed with me.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: snoopy1239 on July 23, 2008, 11:29:58 PM
Harrington 1 and 2, even though im a cash player there is no doubt these are the most groundbreaking books ever (in poker)
Elements of Poker by Tommy DeAngelo
Professional No Limit Hold 'Em by Ed Miller
And can we count Phil Tuffnels 'how to win poker' dvd?

Elements of Poker by Tommy DeAngelo

Never heard of this one. What does it cover and why do you like it so much?


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: dino1980 on July 23, 2008, 11:41:20 PM
To add to those that have been mentioned:

Kill Everyone by Lee Nelson


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: NoflopsHomer on July 23, 2008, 11:49:09 PM
Rolf Schlotboom's Secretsch Ofsch Potsch Limit Omahasch.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: EvilPie on July 24, 2008, 12:47:59 AM
Gus Hansen's "Every Hand Revealed"

Shows how poker really should be played. When you see the breakdown of his quality hands and see that he hardly had any whilst winning the Aussie Millions you realise what a talent the man really is.

Well worth a read.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Grier78 on July 24, 2008, 12:54:46 AM
Gus Hansen's "Every Hand Revealed"

Shows how poker really should be played. When you see the breakdown of his quality hands and see that he hardly had any whilst winning the Aussie Millions you realise what a talent the man really is.

Well worth a read.

That reminds me I need to get this book.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: maldini32 on July 24, 2008, 03:29:03 AM
Only ever read about half of sklansky's tournament poker.

I've bought a few strategy books but never read them - the other sklansky book, caro's book of tells.

Bought Slotboom's omaha booka and Fraha'a aswell, but again i have'nt read them!


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: snoopy1239 on July 24, 2008, 03:30:50 AM
Only ever read about half of sklansky's tournament poker.

I've bought a few strategy books but never read them - the other sklansky book, caro's book of tells.

Bought Slotboom's omaha booka and Fraha'a aswell, but again i have'nt read them!

Fingers crossed you don't get a book for Christmas.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Royal Flush on July 24, 2008, 03:34:52 AM
Never read anything decent but i gave up after sklansky, internet has all the info you need for proven winning MTT players


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: DaveShoelace on July 24, 2008, 08:15:48 AM
Harrington 1 and 2, even though im a cash player there is no doubt these are the most groundbreaking books ever (in poker)
Elements of Poker by Tommy DeAngelo
Professional No Limit Hold 'Em by Ed Miller
And can we count Phil Tuffnels 'how to win poker' dvd?

Elements of Poker by Tommy DeAngelo

Never heard of this one. What does it cover and why do you like it so much?

I like it so much because nobody has ever heard of it and that makes me seem special.

The actual reason is that I know a few people he coaches who were doing exceptionally well who pretty much forced me to read his book and I wasnt dissapointed. It wont tell you have to play AK under the gun or when you are getting the right odds to set mine, what it is about is all about changing your attitude to the game and controlling tilt. How to view money, how to handle bad beats, how to game select properly etc.

Its a bit similar in style to a book called 'the poker mindset' but its written in a very funny style and really gets to the heart of emotional control/detachment at the table.

(It didnt stop me from screaming "you f**king muppet" at the screen yesterday when set couldnt beat 7 high last night tho)


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: ShatnerPants on July 24, 2008, 11:59:10 AM

Bought Slotboom's omaha booka, but again i have'nt read them!

I'd like too try this, but I always think of him being called Slotbottom, and I just can't take him seriously.

My bad.

I've always rated Phil Gordon's little green book, Slanskys newest one is good too.

But my fave poker book is Aces & Kings.  I've read it half a dozen times, and I'll read it again.

I wanna read the poker mindset, and maybe now elements of poker.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: weller001 on July 24, 2008, 12:12:09 PM
I just read 'every hand revealed' whilst on holiday, was some pretty enlightning stuff in there.

In case you didnt know, it is basically a hand by hand analysis of his Aussie Millions Win.

I can see this book spawning a good number of gus hansen playalikes.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: fatshaft on July 24, 2008, 01:24:22 PM
After Harrington (which you have to read as everyone else has) I rate the Killer Poker series by John Vorhaus, it may not be full of highbrow poker strategy but it does get down and dirty with modern(ish) low to mid stakes internet play. It is also quite well written.
Killer Poker Online by Vorhaus is the worst poker book I've ever read imo.

Harrington 1&2, Internet Texas Hold em by Hilger, Small stakes Hold Em by Ed Miller, and Poker mindset by Ian Taylor/Hilger would be my picks.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: ShatnerPants on July 24, 2008, 02:45:11 PM
So far there's not a lot of love for Sklansky & Miller's

NLHE Theory and Practice.

Any explanation why, please.  It seems to be a master class to me, but if it's flawed, then is it a waste of time rereading ?


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: cambo on July 24, 2008, 03:02:06 PM
Andy Ward always does good reviews of all the books tht come out on his blog


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: EvilPie on July 24, 2008, 03:14:38 PM
Never read anything decent but i gave up after sklansky, internet has all the info you need for proven winning MTT players

Try the Hansen one. I promise you'll like it. Not so much for the learning element but the entertainment value is superb.

If you don't like it I'll buy it off you at face value. How's that?


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: jakally on July 24, 2008, 03:49:36 PM

In the first year or so I played I bought a number of books and didn't seem to get very far.
It maybe that I'm not good at absorbing info. this way (I've never been a big book reader).


Seemed to have learnt more from t'internet - hand analysis posts and learning resources (e.g. CardRunners).

I would much rather read a poker related non-strategy book - e.g. Big Deal / Bigger Deal, Stu Ungar's Biog. etc....






Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Longy on July 24, 2008, 04:04:23 PM

In the first year or so I played I bought a number of books and didn't seem to get very far.
It maybe that I'm not good at absorbing info. this way (I've never been a big book reader).


Seemed to have learnt more from t'internet - hand analysis posts and learning resources (e.g. CardRunners).

I would much rather read a poker related non-strategy book - e.g. Big Deal / Bigger Deal, Stu Ungar's Biog. etc....



Yeah my thoughts exactly, i read quite a few non strat poker books. Stu Ungars biog was a great read, also enjoyed Ghosts at The Table by Des Wilson.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: LOJ on July 24, 2008, 04:12:26 PM
super system 2. haringtons 1-3, and tom mcevoys tournament poker



Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: cambo on July 24, 2008, 04:35:48 PM
i thought the NL and Omaha chapters in super system 2 were rubbish


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: AlexMartin on July 24, 2008, 04:38:33 PM
The Science of poker - D.Mahmood
How to win NLHE tournaments- Vines and McEvoy

Also i really like Tournament tips from the pro's by Shane Smith. More like a pampthlet really and designed for limit players but sort of like a bigger fox+farmer strategy guide. Says everything important really concisely. N.B fox and farmer piece (think in 2+2 archives) was a real eyeopener.


Also, snoops, you by any chance writing an atricle on the top 5 poker books out there? ;)


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: MANTIS01 on July 24, 2008, 05:35:08 PM
The best bit about Hansen's Every Hand Revealed is his light-hearted mentality to confrontation. If you want to win tournaments his attitude is spot on. He is playing a game and having fun with it. Quite an amusing read and generally a very good book.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: ShatnerPants on July 24, 2008, 06:20:42 PM
The best bit about Hansen's Every Hand Revealed is his light-hearted mentality to confrontation. If you want to win tournaments his attitude is spot on. He is playing a game and having fun with it. Quite an amusing read and generally a very good book.

But can it help me improve ?  I'm the antithesis of Gus. There's no way I could ever be a Gus clone, no matter how hard I try.

And don't tell me everyone should have a little bit of Gus inside them.  I hear he says that to all the waitresses in Vegas.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: MANTIS01 on July 24, 2008, 07:03:36 PM
Taking a little bit of something is very different to trying to clone yourself exactly. I think people should run with their own personalities, but there is no harm in taking a bit of something that works when endeavouring to improve generally.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Jon MW on July 25, 2008, 09:37:37 AM
The best bit about Hansen's Every Hand Revealed is his light-hearted mentality to confrontation. If you want to win tournaments his attitude is spot on. He is playing a game and having fun with it. Quite an amusing read and generally a very good book.

But can it help me improve ?  I'm the antithesis of Gus. There's no way I could ever be a Gus clone, no matter how hard I try.

And don't tell me everyone should have a little bit of Gus inside them.  I hear he says that to all the waitresses in Vegas.

I haven't read it yet, but if it's written well (as people suggest it is) it might be worth reading partly for the entertainment value and partly as an insight to how the Gus wannabe's will play.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: kinboshi on July 25, 2008, 11:05:14 AM
The best bit about Hansen's Every Hand Revealed is his light-hearted mentality to confrontation. If you want to win tournaments his attitude is spot on. He is playing a game and having fun with it. Quite an amusing read and generally a very good book.

But can it help me improve ?  I'm the antithesis of Gus. There's no way I could ever be a Gus clone, no matter how hard I try.

And don't tell me everyone should have a little bit of Gus inside them.  I hear he says that to all the waitresses in Vegas.

I haven't read it yet, but if it's written well (as people suggest it is) it might be worth reading partly for the entertainment value and partly as an insight to how the Gus wannabe's will play.

Always important to know how your opponents play.  Think I'll have to get this one and add it to the collection.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: the sicilian on July 25, 2008, 11:18:52 AM
all 3 harringtons + skalansky advanced holdem and gus hansen which was fun


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: EvilPie on July 25, 2008, 02:39:57 PM
The best bit about Hansen's Every Hand Revealed is his light-hearted mentality to confrontation. If you want to win tournaments his attitude is spot on. He is playing a game and having fun with it. Quite an amusing read and generally a very good book.

But can it help me improve ?  I'm the antithesis of Gus. There's no way I could ever be a Gus clone, no matter how hard I try.


If it gives you one idea that maybe helps you win one hand then yes it will have made you improve.

My personal favourites are the hands where he has bottom pair with some "back door flush possibilities"

To quote "That's got to be worth a raise!!"

The guy's unbelievable  ;D

To be fair it's not a teaching book at all and I think that's why I liked it so much. When you read it though it makes sense. It should come with a "don't try this at home" warning on some of the hands though.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: MANTIS01 on July 25, 2008, 05:16:39 PM
Posted by: EvilPie
Quote
My personal favourites are the hands where he has bottom pair with some "back door flush possibilities"

To quote "That's got to be worth a raise!!"

Yes, that's the mindset I'm talking about. I mean if you're going to raise in this situation is there a better mentality to have than this? This carefree positivity is definitely a factor in his success. You could put in a bet here thinking you're on the steal but this wouldn't be so good. It would affect your body language, outlook of the game, and indeed your enjoyment.

I remember a big stack arrives at the table and goes straight into the blinds. This could cause intimidation and wariness. Why? Gus looks down at 2 bricks and "welcomes" the big stack to the table with a raise. What a fantastic take on the situation. He's not stealing, he's being hospitable.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: new_guy9 on July 27, 2008, 10:02:37 PM
With an Amazon gift voucher for my b'day i got the Gus Hansen book which is generating a lot of discussion here - i am on day 4 of the 5 day tournnament (in 2 sessions of reading) and i am loving it - again maybe not an educational book as much as an entertaining read but it def puts a fun spin on a lot of situations.

Also got Negreanu's Power Hold 'Em Strategy (he is my fav pro player so i went for this instead of the Harringtons to start off)

Also half way through Poker Face by Judi James (body language expert, she's done big brother and other psych porgrammes) its not much on poker - more focused on people - reasonable but won't look at it again until ive finished Gus's book - it is well worth buying!


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Pelham Boy on July 27, 2008, 10:09:23 PM
Anyone read the book by Pearljammer,Rizen and Apestyles? I've just ordered it. It gets a very good review here:-

http://www.secretsoftheamateurs.blogspot.com/


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: MikeyMash on July 29, 2008, 10:30:31 AM

Also got Negreanu's Power Hold 'Em Strategy (he is my fav pro player so i went for this instead of the Harringtons to start off)


How are you finding this book?. Negreanu is my fav pro player too and i think his new book is great. I think that you made the correct choice in buying it instead of the Harringtons simply because it is more recent. The way that people play poker is constantly developing and therefore the literature has to develop along side, which i think in this case it does.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: boldie on July 29, 2008, 11:57:30 AM
i thought the NL and Omaha chapters in super system 2 were rubbish


+1 the more I read that chapter the more awful it seems..it's astonishingly badly written.

Haven't got Slotboom's book yet...can't decide on whether to get it or not.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: WECpoker on August 03, 2008, 11:09:44 PM
For what it is worth....Here is my list

(Just about any critic/player will tell you Harrington Series is the TOPS and if you could only read one set, this would be it!!!)

Power Hold'em Strategy
by Daniel Negreanu

Doyle Brunson's Super System
by Doyle Brunson

Doyle Brunson's Super System II
by Doyle Brunson

Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy I and II (III not neccessary but its good)
by Dan Harrington

Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players
by David Sklansky

Caro's Book of Poker Tells
by Mike Caro
(if you play live)

Earn $30,000 per Month Playing Online Poker
by Ryan Wiseman

Kill Everyone
by Lee Nelson

Hold 'Em Poker
by David Sklansky

Tournament Poker for Advanced Players
by David Sklansky

Championship No Limit & Pot Limit
by Tom McEvoy

Phil Hellmuth Presents Read 'Em and Reap
by Joe Navarro

Small Stakes Hold 'em
by Ed Miller

Sit 'n Go Strategy
by Collin Moshman

Championship Omaha: Omaha High-Low, Omaha High and Pot Limit Omaha
by T. J. Cloutier

The Psychology of Poker
by Alan N. Schoonmaker

Phil Gordon's Poker Box Set
by Phil Gordon


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: Sheriff Fatman on August 03, 2008, 11:24:21 PM
I think I've just about topped 100 now, if I count non-instructional poker and general gambling theory books too.  Collecting them is becoming more of a hobby than a learning exercise these days.

Just started on the Harrington Cash Games books, with Hansen waiting in the wings for when they're done.

Some of the bad ones are worth reading for the entertainment value alone.  One of the worst in my collection has already been recommended in this thread, which goes to show how opinions vary on the subject.

Thankfully, I've still resisted buying anything by Ken Warren.



Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: new_guy9 on August 04, 2008, 12:15:54 AM

Also got Negreanu's Power Hold 'Em Strategy (he is my fav pro player so i went for this instead of the Harringtons to start off)


How are you finding this book?. Negreanu is my fav pro player too and i think his new book is great. I think that you made the correct choice in buying it instead of the Harringtons simply because it is more recent. The way that people play poker is constantly developing and therefore the literature has to develop along side, which i think in this case it does.

Planning on starting it soon - not really a book to take to and from work as its so big so i'll need to put aside time to start it!
Finished the Hansen book and thought it was hugely entertaing and easy to read!


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: WarBwastard on August 04, 2008, 12:37:34 AM
Best poker fiction book is Down to the Felt by Rich Stevenson.  Out sometime next October, maybe a bit later.


Title: Re: Poker Books
Post by: jakally on August 04, 2008, 10:41:04 AM
Best poker fiction book is Down to the Felt by Rich Stevenson.  Out sometime next October, maybe a bit later.

Good luck with this.   :)