Books Ordered!

Aequitas58 · #1 07-22-05, 12:39 PM

Harrington on Hold'Em Vol. 2
and
Small Stakes Hold'Em

Delivery was free at Barnes and Noble.com, so I should receive the books within 3 business days.

After I read Harrington Vol. 1 again, I'll read part 2 and get a review up here. If it's anything like the first, this book will be worth its weight in gold.

Talking Poker · #2 07-22-05, 12:51 PM

Nice choices.

Aequitas58 · #3 07-22-05, 01:59 PM

I wonder what's in everyone's poker library?
What books are essential (in your opinion)?
What books were complete disappointments?

I'm affirmatively trying to be more mature (I don't know how long this will last), but we need some relevant poker discussion.

Books is a good category, eh?

Let's have it.

BrianSwa · #4 07-22-05, 02:09 PM

supersystems, internet texas hold'em, Killer poker online ( terrible book) another one I think my buddie has. Trust me never buy killer poker online its a big waste of money.

btw nice choices Lou tell me how they are, need to get some new ones myself.

Aequitas58 · #5 07-22-05, 02:11 PM

I heard that Killer Poker Online is trash.

How is Hilger's Internet Texas HoldEm? I guess you don't have SSH or WLLHE, but how does ITH distinguish itself?

BrianSwa · #6 07-22-05, 02:14 PM

It's the 1st book I ever read on poker, even before SS . I like it, think its well put together, he explains about bankroll management ( yea didnt read the section to well obviously) and about how it is playing poker for a living. I dont think it would be good for you Lou, It is more for begginers. Think you would read it and be like "no kidding".

Aequitas58 · #7 07-22-05, 02:20 PM

I just hear it's good for the loose / aggressive online low limit games. I wonder if anyone on this board can draw a distinction b/n ITH and SSH...

Aequitas58 · #8 07-22-05, 07:29 PM

I guess people don't read books here?

We need more members.

2Tone · #9 07-22-05, 07:58 PM

of any book specifically geared towards Internet play. It seems to me that SSHE should cover the Party games just as much as it does the ones at my local card room.

I've posted this before, but the poker books I really enjoy are novels that aren't instructional in one sense of the word, but very much are so in a broader sense.

Shut Up and Deal

Worth the price just the narrator's description of the differences between 10/20 and 100/200.

King of a Small World

A vivid reminder that the game has a cost, even for those who win.

Aequitas58 · #10 07-22-05, 08:51 PM

I haven't gotten into the poker "story" books. Even Positively Fifth Street... I hear that was good though. Nevertheless, if you tend to stick w/ just this side of poker literature, where do you look to plug leaks?

Experience is HUGE when it comes to knowledge, but if someone already figured out a good pre-flop strategy for loose-aggressive tables, why not take advantage of it?

I guess my Q is: Where do you turn to learn more about the game, or, ultimately, how do you get your game to reach the next level?

drewjax · #11 07-22-05, 10:48 PM

I actually think its good to switch it up. Read an instructional book, then read a novel. Shut up and deal was real good, abit out there at times, but definately a must read. 5th street is good. Stu Ungar book is supposed to be excellent. And people keep saying to read LLHE, play some, read SSHE, play some, reread, again and again. I just finished LLHE, and am about to start SSHE. I will eventually mix both Harrington books in as well. That my plan.

I thought killer online poker sucked. Hilgers book is much better. I have actually started an excel spreadsheet, listing preflop play for Hilger, Jones(LLHE), and I will add Miller (SSHE), and possibly a list of my own, taking from all three. Just using the two lists has already improved my limit play, although I havent played that much in the past few weeks (playing and doing much better in tourneys at the moment). YA, and warming up for the HE tourney.

Talking Poker · #12 07-22-05, 11:53 PM

You should post a screen cap of that spreadsheet sometime. I'd be interested to see what it looks like.

JDMcNugent7 · #13 07-23-05, 12:16 AM

I forget the full name of Harrinton's Volume 1 book, but read it and thought it's pretty good. I was somewhat of a begginner and still some of the stuff was very obvious. The examples of different hands after every chapter can be pretty helpful at seeing different ways to bet in hands.
The thing that helped me most from this book was just how much thinking he puts into every hand. The book definetely helped me but i was a begginner when i read it and it was the first book i got, so it might be pretty simple for all of you pros out there.

lightfungus · #14 07-23-05, 01:52 AM

I don't know of it is a bad move or what not, but I have yet to read a poker book. I thought maybe I would get my own take on the game and then once I found flaws, maybe I would read a book geared towards that. Then again, maybe I should just try to absorb knowledge.

I don't play the numbers game yet really either, except I really took to TP's continuation bet numbers. I think it wouldnt hurt at all to know these.

Is there anyone who found a book messed them up at all? Is there anyone who held out for a while before reading and wished they hadn't?

Is there anyone who thinks I should drop the learning by experience and pack someone elses experience in to save time?

Aequitas58 · #15 07-23-05, 02:00 AM

It depends why you're playing poker. If poker is a hobby, and you're having fun (and you still manage to pull out a win every month or so), then who cares? Really.

If you're playing to seriously get better and possibly build a large bankroll and get to the "next level," then I think you're doing yourself a huge disservice.

IMO.

Aequitas58 · #16 07-23-05, 02:04 AM

Are you nuts!?

Harrington on Hold'Em Vol. 1 is a goldmine for newbs and more seasoned players alike. You (and anyone else who owns this book) should read it again.

And again. And again.

Play a tournament...

And then read it again.

Once it's burned into the recesses of your cerebellum, you can begin AT THAT POINT to use his information to become a very strong NL tournament player.

I have 6 things lined up to read, after all of this BAR bullshit. HoH Vol. 1 is the first I'm starting with. And the last I'm ending with.

Aequitas58 · #17 07-23-05, 02:13 AM

Well... Pshabi got Ms. Burke to spice up his thread.

Zybomb · #18 07-23-05, 05:41 AM

Harrington Volume 2 is a great follow up. It deals with making moves (really a continuation of volume 1) and then addresses short handed play, and play as the blinds and antes increase.

He offers a unique perspective, which I have yet to hear about in poker books in this department. There is also an entire HU section which analyzes the HU match between Phil Ivey and John Di'Agistino (sp). The HU was a little lacking, but the main thing was it included a brand new set of preflop hands and how they were valued in HU which I thought was phenominal. He introduces inflection points, and something called the M which is = to the BB+SB+all the antes....this in essence lets you know how many rounds u have b4 u r blinded away -- and how your approach should change based on your M.........he also describes something called the first in concept -- which i think is a key part of tournament play....

Aeq you'll enjoy it

Talking Poker · #19 07-23-05, 11:47 AM

Sounds good, Zybomb. I'll definitely pick it up.

As for your comments lightfungus... When I read Super System the first time, I'm not sure I was quite ready for it. It was suggesting such a different style of No Limit play than I was used to, that I had a little trouble with it (in cash games) for a while...

But all in all, I think poker books are great. Why not use other people's years and years of experience to improve your own game?

Edit: P.S. Mmmmmmmmmmm, Jenny..............

Aequitas58 · #20 07-23-05, 01:51 PM

Nice muthafucka, NICE!!

Gordogg · #21 07-23-05, 08:46 PM

A good book that I own is called Inside the Poker Mind by John Feeney. It's an excellent book. The author is a sucessful high limit player, and he has a Ph.D. in Psychology. I highly reccomend it, probably not the best book for a beginner to start with though.

Aequitas58 · #22 07-23-05, 11:04 PM

I'm assuming it's a poker / psychology book? Or, does he go into strategy discussion?

I'll check the reviews on Amazon when I'm ready to make another purchase.

Gordogg · #23 07-24-05, 03:23 PM

It has a ton of strategy discussion. It's a series of essays about strategy, psychology, and theory. Very well written and full of great material. He's a LIMIT player, but it will help you improve your game no matter what game/limit you play. I highly reccomend this book. I've never heard anyone say this book wasn't good. Check it out if you can.

Aequitas58 · #24 07-24-05, 03:39 PM

I checked it on Amazon. It looks like an interesting read. I didn't know Sklansky had his hand involved and by the look of the front cover and the except, I can tell it's from 2+2.

I read the first two pages of his except dealing w/ playing too many hands. Good players should have the discipline to know what not to do - playing too many hands is one of those things.

My question is, what about players like Danny and Gus? These guys are known for being very loose - yet very dominating. It fits into their personality to see a lot of flops and then (I guess) outplay their opponents w/ post-flop play...I wonder if Feeney discusses that at all?

Nonetheless, the book looks intriguing. I think I might get it. Good lookin out.

By the way - is it just me, or did anyone else hear that Gus was busted? I heard via RGP that he owes his "creditors" a few million. No Gus at the WSOP. Hmmm. Anyone have the scoop?

Talking Poker · #25 07-24-05, 04:08 PM

How often do RGP rumors turn out to be true?

And what do you mean no Gus at the WSOP? He was there. I have the pictures to prove it.