Which one next, TOP or HPFAP

Stew · #1 06-12-2003, 06:14 PM

OK gang, I'm having trouble deciding which of these two books to read next. Here's what I have read:

Poker for Dummies - Don't laugh, it ws my first intro to poker.
Winning Low Limit Hold 'em (Jones) - Read it four-five times.
More Hold Em Excellence (Krieger) -Read it twice
Complete Book of Hold Em Poker (Carson) - Read it once
Tournament Poker for Advanced Players (Sklansky) - five times.

I play Hold Em exclusively. Max $1/$2 limit online, max 5/10 B & M and also low buy-in Sit and Go and multi-table tourneys (most no-limit, but occasionally limit and rarely pot-limit).

I started reading HPFAP and found that in the second part it begins referencing Theory of Poker quite often. I am wondering should I continue to read HPFAP and then read TOP or should I put HPFAP down and read TOP first?

Thanks in advance for your input!

Terry · #2 06-12-2003, 07:52 PM

Most likely you will read both of them many times, with each reading bringing about additional "aha"s and "lights coming on" so I suggest that it really doesn't matter -- just so you're reading.

AceHigh · #3 06-12-2003, 09:00 PM

You will want to read both at some point, but start with TOP.

mts · #4 06-12-2003, 10:27 PM

seriously? I would say read HPFAP before TOP.

Clarkmeister · #5 06-13-2003, 02:56 AM

I don't know about order, but TOP is a much better book than HPFAP, IMO. It's basically the Bible of Poker.

RollaJ · #6 06-13-2003, 08:50 AM

TOP, both are great but top can turn you from loser to winner overnight (well almost)

Homer · #7 06-13-2003, 11:43 AM

You need to read them both eventually. I would read TOP first, then I would read HPFAP. Then I would read them both again and again and again.

-- Homer

Niceriver · #8 06-13-2003, 11:51 AM

I have also read WLLHE and would suggest HEFAP before TOP. You'll get the most of it that way.

Miah · #9 06-13-2003, 02:43 PM

I also agree with HEFAP before TOP. I did it that way and would recommend it for others as well.

Zele · #10 06-13-2003, 04:57 PM

If you're serious about poker (and it sounds that you are), you'll read both many times, and probably wear the cover off TOP. But I believe that working through HPFAP in conjunction with playing online will give you a practical grounding in the concepts you will eventually encounter in TOP. Reading is basically worthless without table experience, and if you're playing strictly hold 'em, HPFAP will help you most immediately with that experience.

That said, were I stranded on a desert island and could bring only one poker book along, it would be TOP.