Cloutier and McEvoy on NLHE

PShabi · #1 01-24-05, 09:19 AM

I recently finished reading their book on NL/PLHE. I think they have two, so the one I'm referring to is the "championship series" or the "advanced series" or whatever. Don't have the book right in front of me as I'm at work.

Was wondering who has read this book and what you took away from it? Did you like it? Did you find it useful?

I'm trying to figure out exactly how much I've learned from this book. In my opinion, it's pretty limited as to what it covers. I did learn some on how tight you need to play up front, especially early on in tourneys. However, I thought the book failed to cover a wide array of decisions that need to be made during a game. You're not always going to hold AA, AK, or KK, no matter how tight you play.

What are your opinions on this book? Maybe hearing some of your highlights will help me refocus on what I read before giving it a second read.

Talking Poker · #2 01-24-05, 03:30 PM

I read this book:

Is that the one you mean? I enjoyed it very much. I typically don't find tons and tons of useful information in a given poker book, but it does help reinforce what I already know, and I always get a few new things out of it. I don't remember off the top of my head what I specificaly took from this book, but I do remember enjoying it more than some of the other books I have read.

PShabi · #3 01-24-05, 08:35 PM

Yeah, that's the book. I'm not saying I didn't enjoy it. I'm kinda like you I guess. If I get one thing from a book, it's worthwhile.

I gotta say, I'm a better NLHE player after reading it, and that's the whole idea.

I guess I was just ready for some mindblowing revelation and some of the stuff was just like, "duh."

Talking Poker · #4 01-25-05, 12:03 AM

Exactly (line 2 above)... I think it's a good sign that higher and higher percentages of these books are "like duh" to us. I actually just read Lee Jone's Winning Low Limit Hold'Em book - FAR after I should have. I had just heard so many things about it that I wanted to see what it was all about. And while 95% of what I read was reinforcement, I did take a new thing or two from it, and I'm very glad I read it. In fact, that may be on the top of the list of books I would recommend to a newish player right now.

junYUN · #5 01-25-05, 02:32 AM

to be honest, the only poker book i've read is super system. obviously doyle's book skyrocketed my game, but i was wondering what other books do you guys really recommend? i mean i read almost every article i can find online (cardplayer, etc)..just looking to read some more.

edit: oh yeah, and im a very aggressive player so if "type" of player is an issue then you have the answer.

Talking Poker · #6 01-25-05, 02:43 AM

What do you play? Hold Em? Limit? N Limit? Tourneys? Cash Games?

I can recomment some decent books that apply to all forms of poker (Theory/Psychology/Zen), but if you are looking for strategy, you need to be more specific...

PShabi · #7 01-25-05, 09:36 AM

I agree with TP here. You need to be specific to get a good recommendation.

However, everyone who plays limit should read Lee Jones. That was my 4th read and it should've been my first.

Also, I would never recommend Super System to anyone who has not read a poker book before, and especially not to a beginning player. While you can't go wrong with the content, the structure and organization of the book are not very good. Very confusing to a rookie.

junYUN · #8 01-25-05, 12:47 PM

my bad...no limit tournys mostly with a small amount of no limit cash games

junYUN · #9 01-25-05, 12:49 PM

well i wasn't a rookie when i read it really, i had stuffed myself full of every poker website, strategy guide, and i was playing hundreds of hands a day to improve my game. once i got to where i was a pretty decent player i picked up super system and it did wonders for my game. i dominate my home game now, and i'm winning more and more online than i ever was.

PShabi · #10 01-25-05, 01:11 PM

I wasn't calling you a rook, just making a general statement. Super System really helped me in my home game too.

If you're a no limit player, you should read the book TP linked to earlier in the thread.

Off to start reading the No Limit section in Super System for the 3rd time! Later.

eddo31 · #11 01-25-05, 01:53 PM

i find that most of the books are reinforcement, but that they are still very worthwhile.

my favorite book is high low split for advanced players by ray zee. just by far the best o8 book out there, nothing else even comes close.

most of the books out there by reputable authors give you some sort of useful knowledge to apply to your game. jones, any 2+2 books, super system, are all very good to help you, and they all emphasize different things. the theory of poker books by sklansky are also very good. these books force you to think about the game in a slightly different way which can be very beneficial.

i am definitely looking forward to ss2 coming out. i know that it is now shipping on amazon, so those of us that dont play at doyles room can finally get a copy. should be good stuff.

omahilo · #12 01-25-05, 04:35 PM

If your looking for tourney advice... Tournament Poker by Tom McEvoy is pretty good. He has a section on all 11 games at the WSOP and tourney advice for the beginning, middle and final table for tourneys.

Talking Poker · #13 01-25-05, 06:24 PM

That sounds good.... I might have to pick that up.

I read Sklansky's Torunament Hold 'Em book, but that as a while ago. I got a lot out of it at the time...