Study program?

[deacsoft]

Limit? No-Limit? Hold'em? Stud? What?
What books do you have?

Sorry, I thought NL was implied, my bad. I'm playing in some tourneys on-line ($100 or $200 sit and goes, 9 or 6 handed), but risking much more money in a cash $25/$50 game that's way over my head (but it's all friends so I'm kind of committed). So I guess it's defintely NL, with both cash and tourneys relevant, but cash especially so. Does that help?

[Jbrochu]

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risking much more money in a cash $25/$50 game that's way over my head (but it's all friends so I'm kind of committed).

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You're playing no limit with $25/50 blinds as a beginner? I guess you really do have deep pockets.

For no limit cash and tourney I would recommend the following in order:

1) HoH1
2) HoH2
3) Pot Limit and No Limit Poker
4) Theory of Poker

You could also start with Little Green Book. If you like examples start with HoH, if you like essays then maybe Little Green Book.

I think Theory of Poker is best left to after the basics have sunk in a bit. You could just read it through once before starting on the others and then go back and read it in depth carefully when you're done with the others.

Interesting, already getting disagreements. Some others put Theory of Poker first, but you make your reasons pretty clear.

You think HOH1 and HOH2 even if cash games are my 70/30 focus?

Thanks!

[deacsoft]

Theory of Poker is the most important poker related book you'll probably ever read. It's widely regarded as the best poker book there is today.

But does that mean it should be read first?

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Theory of Poker is the most important poker related book you'll probably ever read. It's widely regarded as the best poker book there is today.


[/ QUOTE ]But does that mean it should be read first?

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Conventional wisdom is you won't understand most of what Theory of Poker is talking about unless you've already internalised the basic concepts.

That said, most readers have said they didn't really "get" Theory of Poker until the 2nd or 3rd time through, anyway.

[Jbrochu]

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You think HOH1 and HOH2 even if cash games are my 70/30 focus?

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In my opinion, yes. Part 1 really is continued in the begining of HoH2. You could stop there and move on to the other books then go back and cover the end game stuff of HoH2 later.

For me, there was nothing like working through all the example hands in HoH to help learn the postflop play you're going to have to master to play NL cash. (These forums are another excellent study resource for that.)

It's just my opinion, but I think it's more important to get the basics down like proper hand selection, etc. before you move on to "Theory of Poker."

And to be honest with you, "Theory of Poker" was a difficult read for me. Well worthwhile, but difficult to grasp quickly for me anyway.

Great, thanks.