best poker book?

[Downstream 0]

I am going to be buying some poker books soon. I would like to know what everyone out there thinks of the books out there. I dont want to spend more than $50, so thats probably two or three books.I am interested in Hold 'Em and have not tried anything else yet.I think that Theory of Poker is the way to go. What do you think?

[JaysonWeber 0]

How long have you played poker for? How many hours a week do you play?Limits dont matter, but tournament/money games do, so what do you play more of?How long have you played?What is your poker knowledge? Do you know pot odds, implied odds, # of outs etc.?

[Swift_Psycho 1]

I am going to be buying some poker books soon.  I would like to know what everyone out there thinks of the books out there.  I dont want to spend more than $50, so thats probably two or three books.I am interested in Hold 'Em and have not tried anything else yet.I think that Theory of Poker is the way to go.  What do you think?

Yeah, you can't go wrong with the Theory of Poker. Good book.

[WaitingforMyRuca 0]

Don't know about the best books, but I think a lot of it depends on where you are at as far as skill goes. What you already know and all that. The Theory of Poker a good place to start. If you can afford it (cause Theory of Poker is like $25) then try Super System II also. Jen H. did a pretty good job with the limit section, and Doyle (of course) did a great job on no limit. Since these seem to be the two games you will take from it also covers most other games that populate the card rooms. I bet everyone will disagree to some degree but....this is just from what I've read. I know a lot of people on this site don't like Sklansky too much. Just read as much as you can and develop ypur own style after you learn the basics.

[Downstream 0]

How long have you played poker for?  How many hours a week do you play?Limits dont matter, but tournament/money games do, so what do you play more of?How long have you played?What is your poker knowledge?  Do you know pot odds, implied odds, # of outs etc.?

Good reply jayson. I applaud your effort to civilize things around here. I do my best to be a gentleman because you just don't see that much anymore. Everybody acts like an *******. How long have you played poker for? Screwed around in Vegas a few times, blowing about $200. I have been playing since December online. I signed up at Poker Room, blew $15 right away and put in an additonal $30 with intent of never depositing again. Here's my transaction history: 03/14/05 Current balance: $140.50 01/08/05 Deposit $30.00 12/20/04 Deposit (bonus) $3.00 12/18/04 Deposit $15.00 How many hours a week do you play? I play about 10-20 hrs. It varies a lot. I consider this a hobby that I can make me some money as well.Limits dont matter, but tournament/money games do, so what do you play more of?I played a few tourneys and SnG's but most of my losses have come there. I won one SnG on pure luck and decided I didnt like them much. I would like to get more into tournament stuff, but I have been focusing on a good foundation for my game. I am a purely limit player at this point. I just moved up to .50/1.00 from .25/.50. I am still making money, so I guess the jump is going well.What is your poker knowledge? Do you know pot odds, implied odds, # of outs etc.?I play with pot odds all day post flop and it has helped me immensely. Number of outs is something I can now calculate usually before the action gets to me. My grasp of preflop pot odds, implied odds, reverse implied odds, etc... is not good. I want to learn more about all the odds and numbers so I thought Slansky was the best for this.Thanks for your help.

[MapleLeafs 142]

Phil Hellmuth's 'Play Poker Like The Pro's' is really good if you want to hear Phil brag about himself.Actually, I think Hellmuth's book is decent. It covers Hold Em on beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. It also covers Omaha, Omaha 8/b, 7 card Stud, and even some Razz.

[custom36 4]

You want to win? Here are two books that helped me immensly:Holdem Poker: A comprehensive guide to playing and winning - Gary CarsonSuper System - Doyle Brunson

[21gambit 0]

You said that phils book covers holdem for beginner to advanced...I think your way off here, its beginner/semi-intermediate....No real complex topics in here.Get skalanskys Winning Low Limit Holdem for now, then you can advance to Theory of Poker and Holdem for Advanced PlayersEh, yeah, its called Small Stakes Holdem not Winning Low Limit Holdem as Akishore posted below, I accidentally put the Lee-Jones book title down. Whoops

[Hardnut 0]

If you want to know the basics then go for Phil Helmuths: Play poker like the pros - It also cover various other poker games such as omaha and 7 card stud etc..Doyle brunson's Super System was the first book that i ever read on poker. It helped me imensly - It taught me how to play the cards and what cards to play, i still refer back to it almost daily as it contains a wealth of knowlege.The theory of poker is a fantastic book, equal to super system in my opinion. I literally couldn't manage with out it!

[akishore 0]

ok, i'm going to offer some help.since you play limit, i would strongly recommend SSHE (small stakes hold 'em) by sklansky/malmuth/miller to start. that, or theory of poker, but eventually, you want to read this book. it'll review the basics which you seem to know (pot odds, etc.), but it'll go into them in much more detail, and it'll teach you how to beat all the loose, low limit games.while super/system and super/system 2 are great books, they are more for advanced players and a little higher caliber games than low limits or low stakes. i wouldn't recommend reading them until you get more experience and move up to more advanced games. it's just unnecessary at the limits you're playing.so, again, to reiterate, i STRONGLY STRONGLY recommend SSHE by sklansky.aseemp.s. "winning low limit hold'em" is a lee jones book, not a sklansky book. a poster above thought it was sklansky. while you can get this, too, i think SSHE is better personally.

[GT123 0]

if you play tournaments- harrington on holdem-dan harringtonor wait for daniels negreneau book to come out.if you play low stakes limit holdem - small stake holdem-ed millerif you play high stakes limit holdem- holdem poker for advanced player-david slansky mason malmuthnl cash games- super system- doyle brunsonbeginners books.. winning low limit holdem - lee jonesGeneral poker- theory of poker- david slansky

[akishore 0]

I am a purely limit player at this point.  I just moved up to .50/1.00 from .25/.50.  I am still making money, so I guess the jump is going well.

read his replies people. he said he's purely a limit player, not a fan of tournaments. at these limits, you want "small stakes hold 'em" by sklansky.

I play with pot odds all day post flop and it has helped me immensely.  Number of outs is something I can now calculate usually before the action gets to me.  My grasp of preflop pot odds, implied odds, reverse implied odds, etc... is not good.  I want to learn more about all the odds and numbers so I thought Slansky was the best for this.

you're right, you want sklansky. however, i would recommend SSHE over TOP because the latter doesn't delve too much into hold 'em at all. you want SSHE.aseem

[clivedog 0]

Hardnut and Maple, let me start by saying that I don't hate on Hellmuth, but I will say that I'd rather read about Omaha, stud, etc, from someone else. Phil does have 9 bracelets, but they are all in Hold 'em. I won't deny that he's got plenty of good advice on that game, but I'd rather read about Omaha from from Bobby Baldwin, or TJ Cloutier. I prefer to read about each specific game from a specialist in that game. That's why I own both Super Systems and love them.

[Suited_Up 2]

Assems advice is closest to the best I think. I don't reccommend Theory of Poker... it's a fine book, but it won't help with strategy or the things you really need to know to win. Plus if you're just playing holdem.. it doesn't deal a bunch with holdem.Get Small Stakes Hold Em.Do not get SS2.. it's more advanced, and for higher limit games.Harrington on Holdem for tournaments is the best.

[KDawgCometh 2]

actually before you get SSHE you should get Sklansky teaches Holdem or its Sklansky on Holdem, its good to give you a basis for the type of language Sklansky uses. After reading that a few times you should then go to SSHE. SSHE is actually a very advanced book as it is designed to crush the small stakes games not just beat them which is what Lee Jones' book is designed to do. After you've read through SSHE a few times then you can move on to Theory of Poker. People try dismiss this elongated process by saying that they already know what's up and do things fast. From my own personal experience this is best. I went through a bunch of books really fast and it helps, but by taking your time the books you'll get much more out of them

[JaysonWeber 0]

yeah Aseem beat me to it, Your reply to mine was screaming "Small Stakes Hold 'Em"Pick that book up it's much more important for what you're playing than Theory of Poker.Yes, Theory of Poker IS a good book, but SSHE (Small Stake's Hold 'Em) Is a book that will make your limit game nearly bulletproof at the limit you're playing. All the other books are designed for higher limit playing, this book actually took in a small-time player who KNEW the differences.SSHE is probobly on the top 3 list of important books i've read, and I'm a No-Limit player, so that goes to show you something.Best of luck downstream, stay active around here and pick-up SSHE before you even think of buying anything else.Hope this helped.

[Eclypse 0]

I think that Theory of Poker is going to be way too overwhelming for a player that has only been playing for a few months. I recommend you get a copy of Super System 2 and jump right to the limit hold'em chapter. In my opinion this will get you started with the proper fundamentals faster than any other book.After you’ve been playing for a few months using the concepts you learned in SS2, it’s time to get a copy of Small Stakes Hold’em by Ed Miller.Then get a copy of Theory of Poker.

[MilesZS 0]

Not to crap on this thread or anything...As a NL player what book do you recommend? Low limits at the moment, although I would suppose everyone aspires to jump limits. I'm a free-info whore so I've read a ton of website bs, watched a Lederer DVD, read some articles, etc etc. I have a pretty good grasp on the game, but I've been looking to buy something that I can read and then refer back to every once in a while when I think I need a refresher. I was gonna go with Sklansky, but from what I understand he focuses on limit games (not that it's bad, I just prefer what I would call the 'extra psychology' of NL).SS2?

[JaysonWeber 0]

Miles... You talking Tournaments or Cash-Games for NL?

[Scruff 0]

Nothing to add, but I concur with the rave reviews of SSHE. It's mandatory for any beginning limit player. Nothing to add really, just that it's made a bigger difference in my game than I could have imagined.

[AKQJs_2o 0]

Super System 1 & 2 ~ !!!!!!!!!!!!!Give Doyle Brunson his due!All other books are secondary! {Not sayin' they ain't GOOD, just saying they're SECONDARY!}

[akishore 0]

miles,for NL cash games, i would have to say super/system. doyle's approach, while unique and perhaps over-aggressive, really teaches you how to approach different flops and how to play your cards.other than that, the best NL teacher i've had is experience. really. it just takes time and lots of hands and you get better and better. unfortunately, there are no other great NL cash game books...until this year!!!daniel is coming out with a NLHE book (i'm not sure if it's for cash games, might be for tourneys) for all three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. i think it might be for cash games, but don't quote me on that.jennifer harmon will be coming out with an AWESOME book about the differences between limit cash games and NL cash games. i really really can't wait for this book, it's the one subject i swear there is almost nothing written about except for posts on forums like these from people like me who think they know a lot more than they actually do. :-) and i heard through the grapevine that gus hansen is also coming out with a NLHE book, but i'd imagine it would be for tournaments since that's what he focuses on so much.actually, i've heard phil hellmuth's book focuses on NLHE cash games, but i'm not sure. i haven't read it, and am not too keen on reading it, but maybe i'll give it a shot sometime.aseem

[Erudis 0]

super system for nl holdem cash games

[KDawgCometh 2]

miles,for NL cash games, i would have to say super/system. doyle's approach, while unique and perhaps over-aggressive, really teaches you how to approach different flops and how to play your cards.other than that, the best NL teacher i've had is experience. really. it just takes time and lots of hands and you get better and better. unfortunately, there are no other great NL cash game books...until this year!!!daniel is coming out with a NLHE book (i'm not sure if it's for cash games, might be for tourneys) for all three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. i think it might be for cash games, but don't quote me on that.jennifer harmon will be coming out with an AWESOME book about the differences between limit cash games and NL cash games. i really really can't wait for this book, it's the one subject i swear there is almost nothing written about except for posts on forums like these from people like me who think they know a lot more than they actually do.  :-)  and i heard through the grapevine that gus hansen is also coming out with a NLHE book, but i'd imagine it would be for tournaments since that's what he focuses on so much.actually, i've heard phil hellmuth's book focuses on NLHE cash games, but i'm not sure. i haven't read it, and am not too keen on reading it, but maybe i'll give it a shot sometime.aseem

Sklansky is coming out with a NLHE book later this year or early next year too. He is planning on releasing it after Harrington Vol. 2 has been out for a while

[akishore 0]

Sklansky is coming out with a NLHE book later this year or early next year too. He is planning on releasing it after Harrington Vol. 2 has been out for a while

thanks man, i knew i was forgetting something, and this was it. is harrington vol. 2 another tourney book? and when will it be released? do you know when sklansky's NLHE book will be released?thanks,aseem