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Poker Forums => The Rail => Topic started by: Poppet7 on January 11, 2006, 10:47:25 PM



Title: Book Advice
Post by: Poppet7 on January 11, 2006, 10:47:25 PM
I'd like to get a poker book but there's so many out there I was wondering if any of you could recommend them. I've been playing poker since about July 2005, but properly since September, I'd give myself a 3/10 as a player because I've never made it to the final table or into the money on a MTT, but I can usually reach the money on an STT or home game. I'm not that experienced but I have a few good poker teachers!

Any ideas?


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Bongo on January 11, 2006, 10:48:24 PM
Harrington on Holdem is very good if you play tournaments.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Jim-D on January 11, 2006, 10:50:14 PM
 ;iagree;   harrington on hold'em totally changed my game for the better
best present i ever had.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: AndrewT on January 11, 2006, 10:54:51 PM
Poppet, an assorted ragtag of people have contributed to the Blondepoker book review pages.

http://blondepoker.com/books/210000.html (http://blondepoker.com/books/210000.html)

You can see what's recommended there.


Title: .
Post by: Poppet7 on January 11, 2006, 10:56:50 PM
Poppet, an assorted ragtag of people have contributed to the Blondepoker book review pages.

http://blondepoker.com/books/210000.html (http://blondepoker.com/books/210000.html)

You can see what's recommended there.

Oooooooops! Sorry I didn't realise.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Graham C on January 11, 2006, 11:07:05 PM
Harrington - great read with lots to learn - you cant go wrong.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Poppet7 on January 11, 2006, 11:11:30 PM
Yeah I think I'll go for that one, been recommended to me by Snoopy too so it's obviously good :) Thanks for the help guys xx


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Newmanseye on January 11, 2006, 11:47:33 PM
Phil Gordon's Little green book is a good poker book as well, I highly reccomend it.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: TightEnd on January 12, 2006, 03:09:40 AM
Yeah I think I'll go for that one, been recommended to me by Snoopy too so it's obviously good :) Thanks for the help guys xx

remember Poppet if you do buy it, use the Amazon link on the book review page please. Help Blonde!!


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Poppet7 on January 12, 2006, 03:15:20 AM
Snoops already told me to, so I will ;)


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: lazaroonie on January 12, 2006, 12:25:58 PM
Newmanseye loves the harrington books  8)

They are good if you like p*ssing away all your chips in continuation bets.....

Seriously its a good book , but remember, you will need to adapt to a style with which you feel comfortable. Otherwise its a waste of time.



Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: SKIPPYSKIP on January 12, 2006, 12:30:12 PM
Poppet just read Harrington Volume 1 really enjoyed it and about to read it again for a 2nd time to take note down as some
detail hasn't stuck first time. But well worth the read, best by far ive read.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Graham C on January 12, 2006, 01:00:41 PM
Poppet just read Harrington Volume 1 really enjoyed it and about to read it again for a 2nd time to take note down as some
detail hasn't stuck first time. But well worth the read, best by far ive read.

I'm glad someone else needs to go  back through it too :D  I was thinking it was a lot to take in in one go!


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: SKIPPYSKIP on January 12, 2006, 01:03:07 PM
Silo on just finished it this morning will be starting agauin tonight.

ITS MY BIBLE


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Graham C on January 12, 2006, 01:04:25 PM
lol not hanging around then :)  I'm close to finishing it.

Have you got vol 2?  I'll be reading that before I start 1 again


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: SKIPPYSKIP on January 12, 2006, 01:11:51 PM
Not yet been told to get Vol 1 in your head before attempting 2 so here goes.

I do think the book explains the methods for very tight players only, it doesn't show much from the other side of being a really aggressive player


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: jimjamjay on January 12, 2006, 01:16:24 PM
I agree with the Harrington selection - one thing I would also suggest is a years subscription to Poker Player (I think its called that - will check when I get home) magazine.  I think the deal is still on so you get 12 issues for £5 as they are trying to build a subscriber base I guess.

Usually deals in depth with one specific part of the game each month and I always find that the comments from the Pros can be very insightful.



Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: AndrewT on January 12, 2006, 01:17:07 PM
Not yet been told to get Vol 1 totally in your head before attempting 2 so here goes.

I do think the book explains the methods for very tight players only, it doesn't show much from the other side of being a really aggressive player

That's because Dan Harrington is known as a very tight player (hence the ironic 'Action Dan' nickname). Playing a looser style requires the player to have better opponent profiling skills, which is much more difficult to teach in a book.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: jimjamjay on January 12, 2006, 01:25:14 PM
I would also say that when you get to Volume 2 he contradicts a lot of what he says in Vol 1 (if the circumstances are correct) - so suggest reading both through first then going back .....

The other thing I feel having read the book is that although it deals with online as well as live play I think it assumes that everyone playing has a good knowledge.....

I changed my play a bit to test it and late in a tourney when you are all in with K7 off because your M is low (M explained in book) and you get called eveyone thinks you are a fish becuase they do not understand the necessity of the situation and will be waiting for AK AA KK still...

Not sure if that makes sense - typing quickly in a break at work - apologies !!!


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: poker_biker on January 12, 2006, 01:29:55 PM
I just read Harrington on Holdem too. It has really improved my game. I liked the fact that he gives loads of real hand examples to illustrate his system.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: mex on January 12, 2006, 02:01:10 PM
whats great about harrington is it gives tons of examples, and it actually shows how hands can be played badly, and its easy to understand, thats the most important thing! It also confirms some basics.......................THE DRAW BACK everyone has read it and you can spot someone who plays it to the letter. like most books its a tool not the law. I am going to move onto slansky, its hard going but i think it takes you to the next level.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: 12barblues on January 12, 2006, 02:21:28 PM
Which Sklansky book did you have in mind? Most of his stuff is for limit, not PL/NL.

He does have a NL book in the pipeline (being written with Ed Miller, thank god, because Miller writes in English not Sklanskish) but as far as I know it's not due for several months yet.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: ruthless1 on January 12, 2006, 09:31:21 PM
sophie i have the dan harrington vol1 book and you can borrow it, ive got alot of others you can choose from too hun, have a look when you come over next week.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Dewi_cool on January 12, 2006, 09:33:29 PM
Which Sklansky book did you have in mind? Most of his stuff is for limit, not PL/NL.

He does have a NL book in the pipeline (being written with Ed Miller, thank god, because Miller writes in English not Sklanskish) but as far as I know it's not due for several months yet.

Just read his tournement paly for advanced players very good


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Poppet7 on January 12, 2006, 09:34:13 PM
Awwww cheers hun, think I might just take you up on that offer :)


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: snoopy1239 on January 12, 2006, 09:36:34 PM
If any1's interested, I'm almost finished reading 'Kill Phil' by Rodman & Nelson. I shall upload a review as soon as I get a chance.

Please remember folks that any1 is free to add to the Book Review section. All contributions are gratefully received.

Currently, we have two great reviews from yt and AndrewT. If you would like to read these reviews, then please click the following link:

Book Reviews (http://www.blondepoker.com/books/210000.html)


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: mex on January 12, 2006, 11:19:16 PM
Slansky has a co written book on tournement play but i can't find it at the mo i am told it covers limit and pl and nl, i think its being rewritten to cover online. 1st book i read was by ken warren on limit cash, very good book, but limit cash not really my thing.


Title: Re: Book Advice
Post by: Sark79 on January 13, 2006, 12:09:01 AM
Has anyone read Johnny Chan's book. Someone offered to sell me his copy, but I wasn't sure if it was any different to most of the others. Also I have read reviews which says he concentrates mainly on casino poker. I play almost all my poker online. Would this be any help if I bought it ?....I am currently reading T.J Cloutier/Tom McEvoy  "Championship Hold-em". This is a great book which concentrates on Limit Hold-em, my favorite game by a mile. I will have to look at Harrington's book sometime, at the moment I am in love with ring games and very rarely play tournaments. I finnished my 12th reading of the VC poker magazine " Complete Guide To Poker"...I think this is also pretty good, but I am no expert. Sark79...