Must-Read Books

[sthief09]

I haven't read a book for school since 7th grade, but I can't seem to put down poker books. I just ordered 2 more and I now have a pretty nice collection. Can anyone recomment other must-read books?

Books I have read or are being delivered;
HEFAP
TOP
WLLH
Poker Essays I and III (I will get 2 eventually)
Real Poker II
Improve Your Poker
Inside the Poker Mind
Super/System

I feel like there have got to be more than just 8 "must-reads" for a limit player... any suggestions?

[Mackas]

Off the top of my head with respect to limit holdem try Middle Limit Poker by Brier/Ciaffone, Inside the POker mind by John Feeney and the Psychology of POker by Alan Schoonmaker, in taht order I would think.

[Mackas]

Sorry, just noticed you mentioned Inside the Poker Mind already. So that's one less to worry about eh?

[pokerexplorer.com]

What book do i have to read if i like to play tournees

[King Yao]

The Book of Tells, the Body Language of Poker by Mike Caro

[lostinthought]

If you play and/or are interested in tournaments than you should get TEPFAP. Actually, any 2+2 book that is relevant to what you are interested in is worth the price (ex. 7CSFAP) Mabye Gambling Theory and Other Topics would be worthwhile..

The Ciaffone and Reuben book on No Limit and Pot Limit is great. (if you decide to start taking these up)

Middle Limit Holdem by Ciaffone and Briar is a good sourcebook for example hands.. some of their advice is controversial..

[sthief09]

[ QUOTE ]
Limit Holdem by Ciaffone and Briar is a good sourcebook for example hands.. some of their advice is controversial..

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah that's why I haven't gotten it. I don't want to read a book that's going to give me a weak-tight mentality.

have you read Gambling Theory and Other Topics? Is it a good read for a limit player?

thanks

[lostinthought]

[ QUOTE ]
yeah that's why I haven't gotten it. I don't want to read a book that's going to give me a weak-tight mentality.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you read the bible, are you instantly christian? Should you not read the bible, because you are not interested in being Christian?

[ QUOTE ]

have you read Gambling Theory and Other Topics? Is it a good read for a limit player?

[/ QUOTE ]

of course. yes.

good luck.

[bygmesterf]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Limit Holdem by Ciaffone and Briar is a good sourcebook for example hands.. some of their advice is controversial..

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah that's why I haven't gotten it. I don't want to read a book that's going to give me a weak-tight mentality.


[/ QUOTE ]

It's not going to give you a weak tight mentality. It's a very solid book, and both sides in that controversy made good points. IMHO, I tend to side with Ciaffone/Brier.

If you are in a game with, tough, very agressive, and extremely tricky opponents, then perhaps the book might be weak tight but in any other game the advice is sensible. But a real poker pro, wouldn't play in such a tough game, since it's not profitable.

C+B point out that alot of people lose extra needless money, by not avoiding trouble. Staying in with overcards, making fancy moves in multiway pots, playing possibly dead draws in agressively raised pots etc. Save me the fiery responses of uttering heresey in the 2+2 forum, that all these things are OK in big pots.

And the really deep truth of it, is that no poker book contains any really amazing secrets in it. So don't worry too much about it.

Bygmesterf

[MRBAA]

Caro's tells book is worthwhile and truly unique.

The Ciaffone/Brier book is excellent and a good complement to the 2+2 books.

Stepping Up, the recreational player's guide to winning at casino and online poker is very good for reading hands and clear explanations of odds. May be a bit basic for you.

Finally, McManus' Positively 5th Street, Alvarez's The Biggest Game in Town are great poker books for entertainment -- no instructional value.

[The Dude]

Gambling Theory and Other Topics
The Psychology of Poker

[Moyer]

I'm willing to bet that Small Stakes Hold'em by Ed Miller, Malmuth, and Sklansky should be added to that list. But we won't know for sure until it comes out in a few months.

[Mano]

I would cast another vote for The Psychology of Poker and Middle Limit Holdem . I would also read Helmuth's book, if for no other reason it seems that this is the book many of the beginners are reading. Since many of the plays are unorthodox, reading this should give you a better line on how players following his advice play.

[Roy Hobbs]

Inside the poker mind. Zen and the art of poker. Schoonmaker book you can put off for a long time.

[dogsballs]

I'm a poker book junkie. Looking at my shelf and what's been useful to me and reread often, I'd say you really should get

GTOT
7CSFAP
Sklansky on Poker
TPFAP

[sfer]

Hey Duff, are you strictly hold 'em for the near future? I'm having fun learning other games.

[mrbaseball]

[ QUOTE ]
And the really deep truth of it, is that no poker book contains any really amazing secrets in it

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree. They all combine to make us the player we are by what we glean fromn each. Playstyles can be unique and different yet still profitable depending on the players preferences as long as that don't stray from the absolutes.

This is why I consider TOP to be the "bible" of poker. Read, reread, and then read again until you fully understand it's principles and then create your own game that you are comfortable using those basic concepts. One guy might come away with weak tight leanings while another may come up with a looser aggressive strategy and both can be successful. True success will come understanding the principles and adapting to game conditions. But I don't think anyone can copy a playstyle from a book. I think you need to take the information in the book and make it your own in your own unique way. This is why we see such intersting discussions about hands on the forums from extremely good players disagreeing. There is no absolute and the correct or best action often depends soley on game conditions assuming the math works out.

[sthief09]

I'm weird like that. Every minute I spend learning another game, I just consider one less minute I spend learning limit hold 'em. I used to play NL tournaments, but I don't even do that anymore.

If I was smart I'd realize that most of the best tournament players are really good at many different games, because most of the same general concepts apply, and try to learn other games. From the books I have I could probably get pretty decent at stud, but I choose not to.

Maybe one day when I'm satisfied with my limit game or get bored of just playing LHE, I'll stud or omaha. Unfortunately, I'll never, ever be satisfied with my LHE game, so it'll just have to come down to boredom.