The Most Influential Poker Book of All Time

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Derrick:

That certainly is a great choice. By the way, where and when do you play poker? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Best wishes,
Mason

[KingMarc]

Most Influential of the 20th century: Supersystem
Most Influential of the 21st century: SSH

[ClaytonN]

Super System 1

You ask the average joe if they can name a poker book, and that answer will come up the first.

It isn't close, unless your definition of influential is different from the perceived norm.

[BillUCF]

he he

[Terry]

I think “Winning at Internet Poker For Dummies” must be given serious consideration. Do you see why?

“Play Poker, Quit Work and Sleep Till Noon” has had a very long run. I think I have probably seen more “straight out of the book” plays described in it than from any other.

[BillUCF]

The Thoery of Poker by David Sklansky

Why?
1. It applies to all poker games.
2. It takes a pure scientific approach to poker. (this has never been done before)

Is there a possible 2nd edition in the future???

[AngryCola]

Influential?

Interesting choice of a word.

Super System would seem to be the best answer, but I have a feeling you are thinking of a 2+2 book (go figure [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]).

TOP seems obvious, too.

I'm going to go with SSHE just because it's not one of the obvious choices, and has clearly had a big impact on the games.

[MelchyBeau]

For the average weekend warrior I'd say Super System, or maybe Caro's book of tells.

As for serious players, probably TOP.

As for me, I have been having to apply the pyramid building chapter in Gambling Theory alot as of recent [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Melch

[balt999]

Theory of Poker and Poker for Dummies (Only cause it was the first poker book I read)

balt999 journal about poker and life...check it out

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Everyone:

Hold 'em Poker by David Sklansky which was originally published in 1976.

Not only did it contain "The Sklansky Hand Groups" which by itself might be enough to qualify, but it has discussions of semi-bluffing, the free card, slowplaying, check raising, implied odds, inducing bluffs, heads-up on the end, reading hands, and more. As far as I can tell, none of these subjects were discussed anyplace else before the release of Hold 'em Poker in any sort of detail or reasonable accuracy.

But most important of all, it's the first book that does a good job of analyzing any form of poker in a structured, logical manner. All good books since the publication of this one are either copies to some degree or extensions of the material that first appeared here.

Those of you who said Super/Sytem, The Theory of Poker, Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players, Small Stakes Hold 'em,or some other book are wrong.

Best wishes,
Mason