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Poker Books and Improved Play

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  1. quitwork quitwork is offline

    Ormond Beach, FL
    United States

    Posts: 18
    Joined: Nov 06

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:36pm)

    Hi, I haven't been here in awhile. I love to play poker but not necessarily read about it. Being the stubborn person I am, I have finally broken down and want to get some poker books. Which ones should I read? Please only list 3-5 books. Also, how can I improve my ROI? I always run into cold cards when I seem to be playing my best. I am 'quitwork' on pokerstars. Someone look me up and let me know how I can play better. I play the $11 18-man SNG's. Should I be getting into the $22 18-man SNG's?? Erik
  2. CptTripps CptTripps is offline

    Posts: 1,931
    Joined: Nov 07

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:41pm) in reply to quitwork

    Harrington on Hold 'Em 1 & 2 by Dan Harrington

    Theory of Poker by David Sklansky
    All you need really...
  3. SickHand89 SickHand89 is offline

    United Kingdom

    Posts: 220
    Joined: Jul 08

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:45pm) in reply to CptTripps

    I don't bother reading books. Just create your own playing style. Too many people play the way those books tell them they should. Sometimes you have to think outside the box, IMO. But what do I know. I'm playing micro stakes. xD

    And what does ROI mean?
  4. iatetheredcrayon iatetheredcrayon is offline

    Austin, TX
    United States

    Posts: 1,722
    Joined: Mar 06

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:49pm) in reply to SickHand89

    i agree with sickhand, a true poker player doesnt need to read old theory. They should be able to synthesize whats going on around them and make the proper adjustments. The books are boring, and usually out of date by the time you pick them up. Just start analyzing whats going on around you
  5. CptTripps CptTripps is offline

    Posts: 1,931
    Joined: Nov 07

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:50pm) in reply to SickHand89

     
    Originally Posted by SickHand89 View Post

    And what does ROI mean?

  6. grapsfan grapsfan is offline Head Curmudgeon

    Rosemount, MN
    United States

    Posts: 7,980
    Joined: Jun 05

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:56pm) in reply to iatetheredcrayon

    No reason to read a math book either. You should just analyze the integral calculcus on your own, like Newton did, and go from there, rather than reading old theories.

    Seriously, there's nothing wrong with hearing the advice and recommendations of great players. Anyone who protests this much is usually looking to make excuses for their lack of discipline or reading comprehension when it comes to studying the game.

    To the OP, if you play tournaments instead of cash games, start with Harrington on Holdem 1 & 2. The Full Tilt book is good, too, with lots of different opinions on styles of play. I'm looking forward to the PXF book, and should have a review up here in the next week or so.
     
  7. creekhouse creekhouse is offline

    Live Oak, CA
    United States

    Posts: 278
    Joined: Oct 06

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:58pm) in reply to quitwork

    If you are sng or mtt nlh player: Harrington on holdem Vol II, Theory of poker/sklansky, NLH Theory and practice/Miller, Holdem for Advanced players/
    Sklansky and I'm going to include Small stakes holdem/miller,sklansy,malmuth
    (though this is a limit book it has some very advanced material which can
    help u understand a few things that may open your eyes. You should
    probably buy HOH Vol. 1 as well so you can transition to Vol II more seemlessly.

    I own and have read 70+ books and these IMO are the best, and the best 4 u IMO.
    Hope that helps. +ev!!!!!
     
  8. quitwork quitwork is offline

    Ormond Beach, FL
    United States

    Posts: 18
    Joined: Nov 06

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 9:58pm) in reply to SickHand89

    ROI = Return on investment
    Thread Starter
  9. debttech debttech is offline

    Lumberton, TX
    United States

    Posts: 3
    Joined: Jul 07

    Jul 20th, 2008 (7/20/2008 10:24pm) in reply to quitwork

    Good that you are taking this step. Reading (in anything) causes you to take what your doing to the next level. Always read books that do with the specific area of poker that you want to be a success in. If it is online poker then read books on online poker strategy. If it is sit-n-go then read about sit-n-gos and so on. If you are brand new to Texas Hold'em then I would recommend Dave Skelansky "The Theory of Poker". I would recommend reading books from those who have shown to be the big dogs of poker. People who have won WSOP and WPT titles. People who are true "cash game" specialists if you want to play cash games. The more "conversational" the book the better for me. Here are some of the ones that have really helped my game.

    Harrington on Hold'em - Dan Harrington

    Hold'em Wisdom For All Players - Daniel Negreanu

    I am going to pick up a few more here in the next couple of weeks like Barry Greenstein's "Ace on the River" and probably one of Phil Hellmuth Jr.' books just because I like tournament poker. Not much of a cash game guy myself. Anyway, I hope that this helps. Hopefully I will see you at the tables. (no pun intended)
  10. kamikazzee63 kamikazzee63 is offline

    Eagan, MN
    United States

    Posts: 598
    Joined: Dec 07

    Jul 21st, 2008 (7/21/2008 2:05am) in reply to quitwork

    "The Poker Tournament Formula" by Arnold Snyder. This book taught me to be more agressive in tournies and to also use position. I am a personwho strongly recommends ready books. I feel it accelarates the learning process and also introduces you to many different angles of play.
  11. tmleafs1967 tmleafs1967 is offline

    Strathroy
    Canada

    Posts: 1,350
    Joined: Mar 08

    Jul 21st, 2008 (7/21/2008 2:08am) in reply to quitwork

    The Full Tilt book is good, too

    Graps what book is this??? link plz?

    I am reading rizen/pearl/ape book now and using just a few techniques from thier theory i place my best 256th in the sun 100g tonight, I feel a little more sound in my technical thinking already.

    Soon i'll use jennifear and be invincible :), until then more the GOOD books the better.
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