Best strategy/educational poker book for newbies (1 Viewer)

[ReallyGoodUsername]

Hey all! So I'm looking for a poker book that will help me improve my game. I've seen the same dozen or so books in most top 10 rankings of poker books however I wanted to check here first to make sure I'm getting the right book for me and my current skill level.

I've played poker for years and years but not frequently and when I do, the friends I play with are more interested in talking about fantasy football and drinking beer than playing. I love that type of game and I do very well but recently I've been looking to play more competitively. I've been playing home poker games (with "strangers" $0.25/$0.50 NLHE) with players who actually care most about playing and while I've had mixed results it's clear to me there's gaps in my knowledge even at this level.

For framing I would say I'm an experienced beginner - I'm not new to the game and know general terms and odds but beyond that there's a ton I can learn. I'm hoping to find a book that skips the general hand rankings and the rules of the game but at the same time isn't something that an experienced casino player would buy to hone their skills.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Kain8]

To take the first plunge into really thinking about your game:

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Stakes...preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch


When you want to strike out at casinos to play $1/$2 or $1/$3

https://www.amazon.com/Course-Serio...TF8&qid=1537373232&sr=8-1&keywords=the+course


They're both written by Ed Miller who I find to be a fantastic writer. He can take poker concepts you're not familiar with and really distill them into something you can understand.

 

[fieldsy]

For framing I would say I'm an experienced beginner - I'm not new to the game and know general terms and odds but beyond that there's a ton I can learn. I'm hoping to find a book that skips the general hand rankings and the rules of the game but at the same time isn't something that an experienced casino player would buy to hone their skills.

If you were completely new, I would recommend Phil Gordon's Little Green Book, since I think it is the best at teaching the absolute basics of play, pot odds and outs, etc. But it sounds like you're a little bit past that, and it would be too elementary. I think Jonathan Little writes some good material, and he's always producing new content (he also has a Weekly Poker Hand podcast that's a nice free thing for a few minutes per week). If I were going to get one of his right now I would get Mastering Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em, which came out last year. He has a good way of scratching the surface of game-theory-optimal play by talking about keeping balance in your ranges and betting actions, but is still reasonably approachable.

I also like Dan Harrington on Modern Tournament Poker. It's a few years old, and it is obviously focused largely on tournaments but there is a lot of basic strategy and concepts there that are applicable to cash games. Harrington certainly leans toward the tight side of things, so keep that in mind, but he does a good job.

 

[Nex]

To take the first plunge into really thinking about your game:

https://www.amazon.com/Small-Stakes...preST=_SY291_BO1,204,203,200_QL40_&dpSrc=srch


When you want to strike out at casinos to play $1/$2 or $1/$3

https://www.amazon.com/Course-Serio...TF8&qid=1537373232&sr=8-1&keywords=the+course


They're both written by Ed Miller who I find to be a fantastic writer. He can take poker concepts you're not familiar with and really distill them into something you can understand.

I can recommend these two, particularly the Small Stakes NLHE one. I have the German translations of them myself. Neither targets exactly the level required here I believe - the Course might not fully do the job, while SSNLHE maybe requires a little more solid foundation and ends a bit over the top for small stakes live play - but both in combination will probably fill in all the blanks needed.

I also like Dan Harrington on Modern Tournament Poker. It's a few years old, and it is obviously focused largely on tournaments but there is a lot of basic strategy and concepts there that are applicable to cash games. Harrington certainly leans toward the tight side of things, so keep that in mind, but he does a good job.

Harrington also wrote two books specifically for cash games. Actually three, but the third is focused on online play.

 

[Klobberer]

Harrington

 

[Lemonzest]

There are many books on poker so being a bit choosy about what you take the time to read is a good thing. The Small Stakes Hold Em book by Ed Miller is solid.

I find it hard to reading many strategy books because they are all teaching basic strategy. Once you read a couple good strategy books all the other books more or less cover the same information: pot odds, position, stack sizes etc.

Doyle's Super System is a good reference even though its old now. The basic concepts have not changed.

I read a book called "Poker Mindset" which is also good. It is more about your approach and mental game rather than mathematical.

https://www.amazon.ca/Poker-Mindset-Essential-Attitudes-Success/dp/0974150231

 

[fieldsy]

Harrington also wrote two books specifically for cash games. Actually three, but the third is focused on online play.

True, and they're very good. They're also a decade old now. Still great for basic concepts, maybe dated in terms of assumptions about the hands that other players will be playing. I don't know where @ReallyGoodUsername plays, and there are still cardrooms around the country where the playing style hasn't changed too much. If you're looking to get into cash games in Vegas, LA or maybe Atlantic City, you might want a more recent reference.

 

[Lemonzest]

True, and they're very good. They're also a decade old now. Still great for basic concepts, maybe dated in terms of assumptions about the hands that other players will be playing. I don't know where @ReallyGoodUsername plays, and there are still cardrooms around the country where the playing style hasn't changed too much. If you're looking to get into cash games in Vegas, LA or maybe Atlantic City, you might want a more recent reference.

People may argue that the strategy is too outdated but it really isn't. If you play 1/2 as recommended by Doyle, Harrington, Sklansky, or Ed Miller you will still win in today's games. Playing ABC tight aggressive is still the way to win at micros all the way up to 1/2.

 

[fieldsy]

People may argue that the strategy is too outdated but it really isn't. If you play 1/2 as recommended by Doyle, Harrington, Sklansky, or Ed Miller you will still win in today's games. Playing ABC tight aggressive is still the way to win at micros all the way up to 1/2.

Agreed, no argument there.

 

[Nex]

Dated or not, ABC poker is still something you absolutely need to know to understand and correctly apply the fine nuances of more recent and/or advanced play styles. Plus, it's the most popular fallback style to use for new opponents while you don't know them yet. Every play style has its leaks, but I think ABC still makes you lose the least against opponents actively trying to exploit your style.

 

[Lemonzest]

Dated or not, ABC poker is still something you absolutely need to know to understand and correctly apply the fine nuances of more recent and/or advanced play styles. Plus, it's the most popular fallback style to use for new opponents while you don't know them yet. Every play style has its leaks, but I think ABC still makes you lose the least against opponents actively trying to exploit your style.

Even the idea of exploiting other people's style is pretty advanced. Maybe I am not giving players enough credit... I honestly think most micro players and even 1/2 players are just playing their hand and then sometimes bluffing. I don't think they are noticing other people's tendencies and then exploiting them.

For example, if I look at my friends that have played together for years I don't know how much people are trying to exploit the tendencies of others. Some of the better players do this but most guys are just trying to play their hand.

How many 1/2 players actually understand position? Like ok I am in SB so should really limit how many hands I play because I will be OOP for the rest of the hand to everyone... I don't think THAT many people really get this? Or that you really need to tighten up UTG. People talk about pot odds and position at 1/2 but in my experience few people understand how it applies practically to the game. If you read these books, understand the basic concepts, and apply them you will be at a huge advantage.

 

[v1pe]

I really like Jonathan Little's Mastering Small Stakes NLHE:

https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Small-Stakes-No-Limit-Holdem/dp/1909457779/

He does a good job breaking down various aspects of preflop and postflop play, at different stack depths, including range charts which might be enlightening to an experienced beginner. Applicable to both tournament and cash play.

 

[nitzilla]

Obligatory joke post:

Spoiler

Actually it was the first poker book I read..........waaaaaay back in the day....before I knew better.

 

[Psypher1000]

Obligatory joke post:

I respect your game; interested in your real suggestion.

 

[Highli99]

Obligatory joke post:

View attachment 201888

Spoiler

Actually it was the first poker book I read..........waaaaaay back in the day....before I knew better.

For a real beginner, there are worse places to start. Like Phil or hate him, he has won more WSOP bracelets than anyone else by a wide margin.

 

[nitzilla]

I respect your game; interested in your real suggestion.

Ok, ok, flattery gets you everywhere.....

I would echo Ed Miller's books, especially for cash games. I have the Harrington on Cash game books, but haven't read them...the Harrington on Hold em tourney books were great, and probably still relevant today for basic tourney strategy.....so I would assume there is some wisdom in the Cash book equivalents.

I also really liked Gus Hanson's Every Hand Revealed book, that was a quick read that I probably should have studied more....

But now I listen to podcasts more than read, and my favorite strategy one is the Thinking Poker Podcast, they can talk for 30 minutes on one hand......which some people find exhausting, but I like it.

Whatever I read, it must be working cause I just cashed last night in the HPT event 4 - $200 NLHE tourney in Black Hawk......min-cash which sucked, but @Kyle @justsomedude and @pokerplayingpisces all said it's still a win....

 

[Nex]

Gus Hansen's book definitely is an entertaining and interesting read, it does have some good and still-relevant tournament concepts, but has zero worth for cash game play - which seems to be what OP is after.

 

[Lemonzest]

Gus Hansen's book definitely is an entertaining and interesting read, it does have some good and still-relevant tournament concepts, but has zero worth for cash game play - which seems to be what OP is after.

I didn't realize this until recently but Gus is down over 20 million on Full Tilt. Obviously with a cash player we never know their true lifetime win/loss but still ... that is fucking crazy.

It is probably fair to assume Gus is down 10-15 million lifetime if not more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Hansen

 

[bivey]

All books listed are good and relevant.

I still think poker 101 is taught by “The theory of Poker” and should be the first poker book anyone reads. It’s not going to teach you cash game NLHE, but should be required reading for all players.

It’s also boring as hell, but until you master it’s concepts, you are behind. You may have already mastered them and be familiar with a lot of it content without readin it.

 

[Nex]

I didn't realize this until recently but Gus is down over 20 million on Full Tilt. Obviously with a cash player we never know their true lifetime win/loss but still ... that is fucking crazy.

It is probably fair to assume Gus is down 10-15 million lifetime if not more.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gus_Hansen

I have heard about this already, but keep in mind - this is in cash game. He became famous (and was successful) in a tournament - about which he also wrote his book. I wouldn't necessarily take his advice on cash games, but for tournament? Why not. These are two different worlds, so one has to to differentiate here. Just because he apparently sucks at cash doesn't mean he is a bad poker player per se.

I still think poker 101 is taught by “The theory of Poker” [...]
It’s also boring as hell, but until you master it’s concepts, you are behind. You may have already mastered them and be familiar with a lot of it content without readin it.

Confirmed, boring as hell. I would not say however that it's a must have. I believe every concept detailed in this book I have also found in one of the other poker books I have. It's a sizable collection, granted, but it's not like the knowledge is only available in this one book.

 

[Lemonzest]

I have heard about this already, but keep in mind - this is in cash game. He became famous (and was successful) in a tournament - about which he also wrote his book. I wouldn't necessarily take his advice on cash games, but for tournament? Why not. These are two different worlds, so one has to to differentiate here. Just because he apparently sucks at cash doesn't mean he is a bad poker player per se.

I still think Gus is a good player. I was just sharing interesting trivia. I still think there is a lot to learn from Gus from cash and tournaments. Knowing the right information and executing are different things...as we all know.... Gus probably had more issues around game selection.

 

[Pesto628]

Although they are focused more on the nuances of online play, I would recommend Crushing the Microstakes and The Grinder’s Manual. Both go into some very useful concepts that can be applied to any game. I would also recommend subscribing to Core on Red Chip poker. It’s $25 a month and has a TON of valuable information. Well worth the price imo

 

[trigs]

https://www.pokernews.com/strategy/teaching-poker-to-the-compete-newbie-29186.htm

I liked this article's perspective on teaching poker to newbies.

 

[fieldsy]

I still think poker 101 is taught by “The theory of Poker” and should be the first poker book anyone reads. It’s not going to teach you cash game NLHE, but should be required reading for all players.

It’s also boring as hell, but until you master it’s concepts, you are behind. You may have already mastered them and be familiar with a lot of it content without readin it.

This made me chuckle. That is one dryyyyy read for sure. I like to have some of the theoretical foundation, so I appreciate the value of the book. But as you say, if I were studying NLH specifically this doesn't get the job done (I recall a lot of the book talking about California lowball). It might be okay as a first book but then you still have to read one or two NLH books to get that foundation.

 

[bivey]

This made me chuckle. That is one dryyyyy read for sure. I like to have some of the theoretical foundation, so I appreciate the value of the book. But as you say, if I were studying NLH specifically this doesn't get the job done (I recall a lot of the book talking about California lowball). It might be okay as a first book but then you still have to read one or two NLH books to get that foundation.

Absolutely correct

 

[trigs]

This made me chuckle. That is one dryyyyy read for sure. I like to have some of the theoretical foundation, so I appreciate the value of the book. But as you say, if I were studying NLH specifically this doesn't get the job done (I recall a lot of the book talking about California lowball). It might be okay as a first book but then you still have to read one or two NLH books to get that foundation.

To each his own. I'm a philosophy guy and think Theory of Poker is a great read. I've recommended it before.

 

[Lemonzest]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-2-D...689807?hash=item23aab2a54f:g:6NIAAOSwjXBboxrk

 

[Anthony Martino]

I haven't read any poker books in many moons, but the Harrington on Hold Em Series of books (which were focused on NLHE Tournaments) was really well done and helps build a foundation as a TAG (tight-aggressive) player and allows you via experience to grow from there and adapt some LAG (loose aggressive) qualities as well.

I read the Phil Gordon books but didn't find them of much use, but had already read the Harrington series. My wife enjoyed Gordons series though.

As far as Super System II goes, I think there are some good chapters in there, but more focused on the games outside of Hold Em. I found Doyles "strategy" to essentially be "I'm willing to gamble, I'll push with a draw, I get lucky" and wasn't really all that nuanced.

Books by Sklansky make my eyes roll back into my skull, just can't sift through his writing style.

I've heard good things on Harringtons cash game books, but haven't read them myself. But based on my experience with his tournament series I imagine they're presented well.

 

[nitzilla]

I just got Doug Hull's Poker Plays You Can Use Vol 2
We'll see how it goes. (y) :thumbsup:

 

[PlaidDragon]

I read this about 5-10 years ago and noticed a small improvement to my game.

There are several chapters in this book each written by a different pro. Ignore them all except Negreanu’s “Small Ball” chapter toward the end.

The other chapters probably have some good info but they are conflicting with Negreanu’s style.