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hellmuth - play poker like the pros


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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.

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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.

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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. :club:

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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.

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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....

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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....
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.
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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.

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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!

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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
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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:
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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

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