Poker books, As a NL newbie what should I be reading?

Borno · #1 02-11-2005, 05:21 PM

I've been playing hold 'em for about 8 years, but I've never put in any serious study. What book should I read to get a start?

I've read TOP, but I want something a bit more practical now that I have the basics.

I have HFAP should I read that or something else first?

Is 2+2 good enough to learn?

zaxx19 · #2 02-11-2005, 05:32 PM

2+2 and playing.

Also I heat the new Harrington book is excellent. Youll hear this alot but its true: playing is the best way to learn...especially NLH.

Supersystem by Brunson is good. Just dont take his stuff word for word as alot of his style comes from structures that arent mirrored by todays play.

For example dont move in with a flush draw on a flop everytime.

NORM77 · #3 02-11-2005, 05:37 PM

Championship Pot Limit and No Limit Holdem by TJ Cloutier and Tom McEnvoy is pretty good... SS by Doyle is a great read, as well Pot Limit & No Limit Poker by Ciaffone and Rueben...

I havent read Harrington's book yet.

sourbeaver · #4 02-11-2005, 05:38 PM

Ciaffone & Ruben's NL book is also a good read.

sourbeaver · #5 02-11-2005, 05:41 PM

Is Harrington's book good for NL cash games also ?

zaxx19 · #6 02-11-2005, 05:44 PM

While I havent read I am a frequent lurker/poster on the MTT forum and believe the some not all of the concepts are transferrable. Plus the guy is so darn bright I think once you get some background reading anything by Harrington on poker in general will be helpful.

BTW- I own the Cloutier book and its not gonna be a great aid to you unless you find yourself playing way too loose. If you find you are playing loose read it twice, rinse, repeat.

mason55 · #7 02-11-2005, 09:04 PM

Ciaffone and Reuben's PL and NL poker book is the best book for NL ring games.

poboy · #8 02-11-2005, 10:10 PM

I just finished Harrington's book and while it is written with tournaments in mind, alot of the concepts apply to cash games. Not to mention its just a very well written and enjoyable read. I've heard C&R's PLNL is really good, still waiting for my copy(damn Borders). Doyle's book is really good as long as you don't take everything literally, alot of his style is based on who he is and the respect he gets. You will probably not be so fortunate at the low-stakes tables, but there are still some very good ideas in there and you should read it. I've heard that Ed MIller is working on a small stakes NL book(I hope this is true), has anyone else heard this? Any ideas when it might be out?

Rubber Soul · #9 02-12-2005, 12:51 AM

One book few talk about that is really good (and while it offers up the math that other books do, it also includes some interesting psychological profiles and is fun to read) is Poker Nation by Andy Belin... Ebay always has cheap copies available...

bholdr · #10 02-12-2005, 01:08 AM

IMO, SS is still the best thing ever written on NL, but it can get a newbie in a lot of trouble. this forum used to be better (and i'm talking a few months ago when i registered- it's unbelievable how much it's exploded), but it's still the best resource i've found.

the problem with a newbie playing NL is that there is no book out there that is a WLLHE or SSHE for NL. there despretly needs to be.

just play a lot and read a lot of posts. search by posts by fimbulwinter, his stuff is excellent, esp for 6max. ameoba has good stuff too.