Poker books

MathBabe · #1 02-21-05, 12:04 AM

I've gone to three bookstores in downtown Toronto this week, and nobody has the Lee Jones "Winning Low-Limit Texas Hold'em" book I was recommended. Grr.

I needed to buy something to make the trip worthwhile, so I got (don't laugh) the "Pocket Idiot's Guide to Texas Hold'em", Gary Carson's "The Complete Book of Hold 'Em Poker", and "Championship Hold'em Tournament Hands" (it was cheap).

I still want the Jones book so I'll order it on Amazon. I need to get a second book to get the free Super Saver shipping.

I'm only playing Texas Hold'em right now, no other poker games; I play primarily online, with a few homes games occasionally; and I'm in it to make a little money in the long term. What second book do y'all recommend?

MathBabe

omahilo · #2 02-21-05, 12:21 AM

Harrington on Holdem: Vol 1... quite possibly the 2nd greatest book written on NLHE (behind SS1 by default since it was the 1st book period).

Tony Cheval · #3 02-21-05, 01:54 AM

On that note, I found another book specifically discussing Internet poker at a Barnes & Noble today, called 'Deal Me In!' if I recall. Haven't heard anything about it yet. I picked up Killer Poker Online and Small Stakes Hold'em (latter by Miller, Sklansky & Malmuth), and....a $5 sale book about Monarchos, the Derby winner some years ago and thoroughbred breeding.

Vatrlrman · #4 02-21-05, 01:58 AM

If you can't find Lee Jones book try Internet Taxas Holdem by Mathew Hilger. I beleive it is better than Lee Jones. Great for just starting out.

My 2 cents

Tony Cheval · #5 02-21-05, 02:10 AM

Cheers, I ordered that a few days ago.

MathBabe · #6 02-21-05, 01:18 PM

I ordered the Lee Jones, and also chose Matthew Hilger's "Internet Texas Hold'em" over the Harrington, which seems to be about no-limit games (I'm too much of a newbie for that).

I've finally found a topic - poker - where my local library isn't helping me much. I guess they haven't caught up with the trend.

The Pocket Idiot's guide helped me quite a bit last night. I'd slipped into thinking that a bunch of garbage looked good, and it tightened me back up to look at the charts of hands and realize how sloppy I was getting! I think I can play through okay.

MathBabe

GeoffM · #7 02-21-05, 02:08 PM

MathBabe, did you actually go to the World's Biggest Bookstore just one block north of Eaton's Centre. They probably have the biggest selection of any bookstore in Toronto so just wondering.

Talking Poker · #8 02-21-05, 11:26 PM

For anyone buying books and anything else from Amazon anyway, if you could start here on your way to Amazon, it would be much appreciated:

Click on anything on that page that takes you to Amazon, do your shopping, and I get credit and a much appreciated kickback.

Thanks in advance

As for my recommendations, it depends what you are looking for, but for a beginner, the is good. The first poker book I ever read was by Ken Warren. I can't even find my copy any more, and I don't remember the name of it, but I remember getting a lot out of it at the time.

I ordered from Amazon the other day, and needed another to get the free shipping, so I ordered too. Haven't even opened it yet, but it was cheap, and from what I know about Phil, he knows what he's talking about. I hope it's not too basic and gets into some good stuff, but my expectations aren't exactly high...

omahilo · #9 02-21-05, 11:33 PM

Lee Jones is a great pick for low limit hold em and Im not sure about that Hilger book... if you were looking for beginners advice you could of got 'Play Poker like the Pros' By Phil Hellmuth... it gives good advice to beginning players.

BUT you have to get Harrington on Holdem eventually... This book changes the way you think about poker.

Tony Cheval · #10 02-22-05, 04:17 AM

I'm most of the way through Killer Poker Online (speed reader), it's interesting that there's been NO real hand situation discussion so far, it's really about psychology (determining WHY you're playing, making sure you're in the right frame of mind, avoiding distractions/boredom). Perhaps a bit pedantic at times, but certainly hits some useful things the more technical books may miss.

Talking Poker · #11 02-22-05, 10:44 AM

Sounds like the Psychology of Poker - good book. Zen and the art of Poker is another along these lines. Both worth reading, but don't expect to get specific hand advice.

MathBabe · #12 02-22-05, 11:54 AM

You need to set up a link to Amazon.ca as well!

MathBabe

MathBabe · #13 02-22-05, 12:01 PM

I have to admit I didn't. After checking out my local Book City (still my favourite bookstore, even if they only had the Super System poker books and a handful of others), Chapters and Indigo at Bay and Bloor (same books at both - big surprise), I was tired of people and escaped home to order online.

Chapters and Indigo seem to sell more CDs, gifts, candles, chocolates, cards, and I-don't-know-what-else, than books. Does nobody read anymore? (Present company excluded, of course, since you're recommending books to me...)

MathBabe

Zybomb · #14 02-22-05, 06:26 PM

The type of books that help most really depend on the type of hold em that you play (and the knowledge you already have) It also matters if your trying to learn betting strategies (when to slowplay etc) or if youre more interested in tells, reading players, and psychology of poker. A lot of books floating around common bookstores are based on low limit hold em. As Im sure you know, strategy in NL in much different and so much more is involved. Alot depends on the level you are already at.