"S&M go to great lengths not to be incorrect in their books. In doing so, they often give many abstract "it depends" type answers to problems one might face. While they are justified in doing so, such answers are of little help to the most players."


i disagree. the relative complexity of their ideas reflect the comlexity of the game of hold em (i cant comment on stud or omaha). they are doing beginners a favor by presenting to them the idea that there are rarely any easy answers in this game: it requires a constantly thinking person, willing to commit a considerable amount of time and mental energy to beat hold em for any worthwhile amount of money. players who are able to weigh all the variables of every given situation and train their brain to think in a "it depends" fashion do the very best. S+M's advice reflects this fact.


other writers, brier for one, tend to offer advice that is what the beginner intuitively craves (hard and fast answers to common scenarios), but in offering that they are just doing their readers a disservice as much of solid hold em requires counter-intuitive thinking.