Revised poll: what's the best/greatest poker book?

[betgo]

I think I came up with a better list of choices based on forum input.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Betgo:

In my opinion, the two books that impacted how the games are played the most was David's original Hold 'em Poker and our Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players.

The Harrington books should have the same effect on the tourneys, but it's still too early to tell for sure.

best wishes,
Mason

[betgo]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Betgo:

In my opinion, the two books that impacted how the games are played the most was David's original Hold 'em Poker and our Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players.

The Harrington books should have the same effect on the tourneys, but it's still too early to tell for sure.

best wishes,
Mason

[/ QUOTE ]

My question was the best/greatest book, not the one with the most impact. I thought of including HPFAP and probably should have.

I know you posted before on the book with the greatest impact. While I don't disagree with the two you mentioned, I think "Super System" (mainly Brunson's chapter) also had a great impact, both on how the game is played and on later poker books.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi betgo:

I agree that your question is actually different. I do disagree with your comments on SS. As I state in my other post, virtually no one read it for many years. Now I don't have statistics to prove this, but I have many years of conversations with many people. SS only came back into favor when it began to be touted on the TV shows.

Best wishes,
Mason

[betgo]

I think "Super System" has had a lot of influence on NLHE/PLHE play. NLHE has always been the main event in most tournaments and PLHE has been played in Europe and elsewhere. In any case NLHE and "Super System" are popular now.

While the other chapters in SS1 aren't read much today, the approach of having expert contributors is important. A lot of poker books were/are written by at best grinder-type pros.

Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players is a great book, I've not read the other one, but are you really saying that these two books have had a greater impact on how the game is played than Super System, especially Doyle's chapter? I've picked up some great ideas from Hold Em for Advance Players that I have applied to NL, but the basis for my game comes from Super System.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Bear:

In my opinion, no question about it. HPFAP changed the games like no other book before or since, and this happened in the late 1980s and early 1990s. As for SS, you can't be more wrong. Virtually no one even read it for years, and as for Doyle's chapter, there wasn't any no limit games for close to 20 years with the exception of a couple of games here and there (with the there being mostly Northern California). SS didn't come back into favor until the TV shows began calling it the bible of poker.

By the way, "having impact" doesn't necessary mean its a great book in the way that most other people consider a book great. But HPFAP changed the way hold 'em is played by virtually everyone, even those who have never read a poker book.

Best wishes,
Mason

So, Mr. Malmuth,
What do you think, however, of the effect of that book on today's game? And, if you wouldn't mind, what do you think of the overall strategy presented in that book? Latel, I've notice it biting me in the @$$. Too many check-raises, etc. Everybody wants to run me down, etc. You know, I think it would be great if 2+2 came out with a NL book.

[avatar77]

In my humble opinion, HEPFAP is without a doubt the greatest poker book ever written.

Virtually every serious player has read it and it has impacted the way Hold'em is played on every level.

SS may come in a distant second only because No Limit is back in vogue now. But still, you can be a very successful NL player without reading SS. I don't think you can say the same about HEFAP for limit.

I am curious to know which title has sold more copies...Mason would you know the figures for this? I do know that HEFAP is the all time best selling book for 2+2.

Anyway, my 2 cents...I just think HEFAP has had the greatest impact on our game.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Bear:

If you're referring to the no limit section in SS, I have stated before that I do not agree with much of the strategy presented. Constantly getting all-in with a questionable hand should not be a successful strategy. Ironically, after the long introduction where Doyle advocates this ultra aggressive style, he becomes much more conservative when he starts talking about specific hands.

Two Plus Two expects to have a no limit book by the spring.

Best wishes,
Mason