Team Full Tilt
August 30, 2005 In recent months, many of our players have asked for suggestions on
what poker books provide the best insights into the
game, such as "learn how to play poker books" & "poker
strategy books". Being curious ourselves, we put the question to
our pros and the answers we got back included some
long-time favorites, along with a few surprises.
While our pros all have poker books that they like,
not all of them believe that reading books about poker theory
is essential to improving their play. In fact, a few of
our pros expressed sentiments along these lines:
We’re not big fans of poker books. Once you get the
basics down, is there something you can read that will
drastically change your outlook on poker? Probably not.
If there were a secret formula that would guarantee
you'd always win, or one certain technique to win the
most money, wouldn't everyone be playing that way
already? The best teacher is experience. Choose a
playing style and game mentality that fits your style,
then get out there and actively think about the game.
See what works for you and what doesn't. No book will be
as effective as your own thought process.
Still, many of our pros do have some suggestions
about which titles you might want to add to your
personal library.
Chris Ferguson believes David Sklansky's Hold 'em
for the Advanced Player and Theory of Poker
are perhaps the two best books out there. Both of Doyle
Brunson's Super System books, and Mike Caro's
Book of Tells have helped his game, too.
Steve Brecher agrees with “Jesus” about Sklansky's
Theory of Poker for its idea of the semi-bluff
and its analysis of the concept of odds in poker.
Sklansky's Hold 'em for the Advanced Player and
the rest of the Advanced Player series are also solid
reads.
Brecher also likes Doyle Brunson's chapter on
No-Limit Hold 'em in his Super System for its
emphasis on the importance of implied odds (although
that's Sklansky's phrase, not Brunson's).
Erik Seidel notes that he hasn't read many of the
poker books out there, but his all-time favorite is
The Biggest Game in Town by Al Alvarez.
Being friendly with Phil Gordon, Perry Friedman has
gotten to read an advance copy of Phil’s Little
Green Book (due out in October), which he thinks
provides the best example of how to teach people to
think about the game. He adds that both of Dan
Harrington's books are filled with incredible advice for
tournament poker play.
When it comes to “non-strategy” books, the pros'
choices are as varied as their playing styles at the
table.
Howard Lederer says, "I've recently started reading
some books on Zen Buddhism. Zen has always been
associated with the fine arts of flower arranging,
calligraphy, and tea making. But there is also quite a
tradition of Zen in swordsmanship and archery. Through
reading these books and, in particular, Zen in the
Art of Archery, I have a greater understanding of
the process one goes through to master an art form. And
poker is most certainly an art form."
Other more poker-related titles on our pros’
bookshelves include Positively Fifth Street by
James McManus, The Professor, the Banker and the
Suicide King by Michael Craig, and the recently
published Tales from the Tiltboys by the
Tiltboys. They're also looking forward to reading Nolan
Dalla's biography of Stu Ungar, One of a Kind.
It’s safe to say that the books about poker listed above will
provide you with an eclectic and comprehensive view of
the strategies, techniques, and personality traits that
can help you become a winning poker player. So enjoy these
books, and good luck at the poker table.
Team Full Tilt
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