Considering to buy "Theory of Poker"

But I'm wondering whether I should buy Hold'em for Advanced Players instead. Which one would improve my game more? I am a small stakes limit Hold'em player (successful at $.5-$1)- I basically want to move up limits to $1-$2 or even 2-4. I was thinking that Hold'em for Advanced Players is the same thing as TOP except HFAP is written excusively for hold'em. Or do both these books present different ideas? Any comments appretiated. If I do decide to buy both, which one should I read first?

Both books are a great read but may be of little use to you until you get to limits of $6-12. Most low-limit players can be beat by anyone who plays solid straightforward poker. If you need to make a choice, go with TOP. There's a lot of great info in Advanced Hold 'Em, but most of it is useless at the limits you're at, because the actions suggested in this book are lost on your competition.

Have you tried Lee Jones' Winning Low Limit Hold'em? It's an excellent book for the limits you are playing.

Good luck.

[Niediam]

Forget both of those books (even though they are both good) and purchase Small Stakes Hold'em immediately!!!

[two0crew]

SSHE is the bible

I agree that you should buy SSHE first for those limits. After that it's a coin flip between the other two. They are both great.

[chaz64]

I'm playing at $1/$2 right now. I've read TOP and SSH and if you only read (and re-read) those two books I think you would be fine.

[Skipbidder]

You absolutely should not read Hold'em for Advanced Players instead. You should read it eventually.

Here is your reading list:
1) Theory of Poker
2) Theory of Poker
3) Theory of Poker
4) Small Stakes Hold'em
5) Your choice of HFAP or TOP
6) Whichever you didn't choose for 5

It isn't remotely the case that HFAP is the same thing as TOP except written exclusively for hold'em.

[MarkL444]

HPFAP is *for advanced players*

it doesnt MAKE you an advanced players. it discusses topics that will be most helpful *for advanced players*

get TOP imo. read it a lot. SSHE is also essential.

dont worry about any books besides those two for awhile. just keep rereading and playing.