Improve Your Poker by Bob Ciaffone

tytygoodnuts · #1 02-20-2005, 08:35 PM

Is this book any good?

parachute · #2 02-20-2005, 09:00 PM

Yes.

npc · #3 02-21-2005, 12:22 AM

It's outstanding. One of the ten best I've ever read.

tytygoodnuts · #4 02-21-2005, 12:39 AM

It sounds good.

deacsoft · #5 02-21-2005, 02:24 AM

I haven't read it yet, but it is high on the list of the books to read next. It's been highly recommended to me several times.

BugsBunny · #6 02-21-2005, 04:30 PM

Without reservation, yes. Belongs in any serious poker library.

bobbyi · #7 02-21-2005, 05:46 PM

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It sounds good.

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If you're going to buy it, you might want to consider getting it directly from Bob (his website is http://www.pokercoach.us/). He takes neteller (as well as paypal and personal checks) and autographs every book purchased through him and you can email him any questions you have. I just picked up this book (since it is heavily recommended), but haven't read it yet, so I can't really comment on the book itself.

sammy_g · #8 02-21-2005, 05:52 PM

For those who said the book is good, does it err on the side of being weak-tight like Middle-Limit Holdem Poker?

That guy · #9 02-21-2005, 10:38 PM

I think this is a decent and worthwhile book. I liked MLHP better... this one is structured a lot like the Poker Essays by Mason -- a collection of short chapters on various subjects... There is a lot of good advice in these books. Personally, I think Ciaffone is a nice contrast to 2+2. He does appear weak-tight sometimes but I think it is kind of a bad rap. I find that when the action is really hotter than you would think given what you know about the players, adjusting your 'outs' down often makes sense -- and what appears weak-tight to some, can actually be quite savvy poker. But the devil is in the details and you just have to sniff out the right play... I think Ciaffone has good poker sense and probably saves a lot of bets. Does he lose large pots because he lays down too much?? well that is the question. who knows?

Personally, I like to risk-adjust my outs when the action just feels wrong relative to what I know about the style of the players... reading this forum, it seems everyone flames everyone for showing any kind of non-aggression.. yet every other thread is about monster 'downswings'... hmm. I still have lots to learn but I think Ciaffones books are well worth reading.

Rudbaeck · #10 02-21-2005, 10:45 PM

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For those who said the book is good, does it err on the side of being weak-tight like Middle-Limit Holdem Poker?

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It's only when it comes to limit hold'em that Ciaffone is weak-tight. The rest of his advice is usually spot on. There is plenty of goodies about NLHE, PLO etc in this book.