nhlfan 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Anyone else think this book stinks? I got it from a relative for X-mas, and have just browsed through it, seems SUPER basic and craptastic to me. If it really is decent, let me know so I don't just throw it to the back of the closet. Thanks. Link to post Share on other sites
greatwhite 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 His cash game advice is pretty bad. Link to post Share on other sites
Emmser 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I wasn't a big fan of that book. Maybe if you are new to poker it might be a good read to learn the top hands and things like that but overall there isn't to much new or advanced information in the book. Link to post Share on other sites
the_jop 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 i bought it when it first came out. thought it was a good solid stratagy playing only top 10 hands..lol it's taken me a little while to repair the damage to my game that book caused. my advice read another book as soon as possible!!! and try to forget every thing you read in hellmuths book. Link to post Share on other sites
Brisco 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 It is a GREAT book as long as you use it properly.I use mine as a coaster. Link to post Share on other sites
Dr_Shakes 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I think it is only good for someone who is just starting out or who is a total fish. Link to post Share on other sites
Drwnded 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 you think Hellmuths book is bad, try reading Cloutier's book on tourney NLHE. Half of it is anecdotes, and the other half basically tells you to only play AA, KK, QQ, and AK, and that you better play those last 3 carefully. Link to post Share on other sites
ForKeeps 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 The good part of the book is his Omaha and Stud strategies; I didn't pay attention to them when I first read them, developed the skills on my own, and realized he had them down pretty pat when I looked back. Maybe his Holdem section was designed to make all his opponents play him too predictably.... Link to post Share on other sites
Dr_Shakes 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 The good part of the book is his Omaha and Stud strategies; I didn't pay attention to them when I first read them, developed the skills on my own, and realized he had them down pretty pat when I looked back. Â Maybe his Holdem section was designed to make all his opponents play him too predictably....Yeah when I got the book I only knew really how to play holdem.The book did help me understand the basics of some other games and how to think about them. Link to post Share on other sites
snickers99 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I just started reading this and I agree that it's pretty weak. I picked it up in one of those half price book warehouse type stores that pop up every once in a while for like a month. That should have been my first clue. But I bought it also for the discussion of the other games. I just might skip the rest of the Hold 'em sections and go to them. Link to post Share on other sites
BigDawgBuuck 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I got it for X-mas, am about 1/4 of the way through, and am praying that i may acually learn something in the "advanced" section. Link to post Share on other sites
MikePatrick 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 This was actually the first poker book I read when I was a complete newb to the game, and it was a decent starters book.However, I progressed to Cloutier / McEvoy which I enjoyed and found improved my game.Then after another year or so, HOH came out and if you didn't know already is the absolute f'n best pair of books out there! Link to post Share on other sites
RayPowers 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 This was actually the first poker book I read when I was a complete newb to the game, and it was a decent starters book.QFT. It taught you the most valuable lesson a total newb needs to know: play less hands.And it had some fun stories, making it an entertainingg read.Of course, then I read Small Stakes Hold Em, and *THAT* was the most amazing thing I have read to really help me.So your best use of that book is.. give it to a newb.Ray Link to post Share on other sites
Chaserjim 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Ray , do you offer lessons by any chance? lol i dont know why im asking but I have a PM in my box saying that your looking for a student? Link to post Share on other sites
Suited_Up 2 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Here... you can just give me 20 bucks and i'll save you the time.Only play AA, KK, QQ, AKs, JJ, 1010, AKo, AQs, 99, 88. (give or take a couple)Oh, And I'm the best poker player in the world. I'm an Eagle!Ok, all done. Let me know where you want to send the money. Link to post Share on other sites
RayPowers 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Ray , do you offer lessons by any chance? lol i dont know why im asking but I have a PM in my box saying that your looking for a student?Hahaha, from who? I lay odds on dna.....Ray Link to post Share on other sites
Chaserjim 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 This was the first book I read.Gives you the basic strategy of play and card ranking. Phil Hellmuth , isnt a great teacher.I just finished HOH v1&2 and these are by far the most instructive and easiest read. I have a pretty extensive poker library , and I recommend those 2 books the most. Link to post Share on other sites
jmar 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 You guys are forgetting the most important part of Helmuths book: he's a hilariously bad writer. The unintentional comedy in that book is sky high. His use of exclaimation points alone make it worth the read. Sure, most of the advice sucks, but if you're a fan of mystery science theater, this book is for you. Link to post Share on other sites
ajs510 122 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 That book is great......for lending to people in your home game just to watch them play super-tight while you abuse their blinds. Worthless if you're trying to improve your own game. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Phil Hellmuth's Play Poker like the Pros is to poker what Playboy is to pornography. It's an okay introduction, but if you really want the good stuff you need to get yourself some Harrington on Hold'em...er...Theory of Poker.....er Twats Up?.....you know what I mean! Link to post Share on other sites
nutzbuster 7 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Helmuths book works great!.. at the bottom of a bird cage.Best... Link to post Share on other sites
DRskateNT 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I love how some people think that poker books should change your whole life and make you this A+ player just by following what it says.When i first started I read this book and super system. The two books couldn't be more opposite as far as NL Holdem goes. And thats why i loved the combo... The purpose of poker books is to take advice from PROVEN WINNERS and use what you feel will help your game and not use what may work againts your playing style.Obviously Phil encourages you to play very tight... AT FIRST... but then goes on to show some other strategies and levels of thinking in poker... it gets you ready to move onto more comlex books and strategies... but when you are READY.Still though... I'll take Super System 2 and Theory of Poker anyday of the week... those books make me feel special. Link to post Share on other sites
digitalmonkey 929 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Still though... I'll take Super System 2 and Theory of Poker anyday of the week... those books make me feel special.Twat's Up made me feel special. :wink: Link to post Share on other sites
Viks 0 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 the book's not really a good way to advance your hold 'em play....but it is usefull in reminding you of the importance of strong starting hands when you get too cocky and start playing Hanson-esque hands without the requisite skill....and losing Its ok for a starting book and has solid foundations, but thats about all, just the foundations of hold 'em. i just looked back through it and it does in fact have a useful Ohmaha hi/lo section. just to note a previous point, when i first started i read Helmuths and Brunsons books in succession, by the end i was utterly confused regarding starting hands and aggression. lolHarrington on Holdem all the way though!! its a must read Link to post Share on other sites
BigDawgBuuck 0 Posted December 31, 2005 Share Posted December 31, 2005 I cold see the book helping me maybe 5 years ago, but now it seems that HOH would have been a better gift. Link to post Share on other sites
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