TOP TEN BOOKS

If you ever place a bet, this book should be in your library.  If you are a regular player This book is even more important to you.  Most people know that U.S. Tax laws allow you to deduct losses, from your income tax, up to the amount of winnings, but it isn’t that easy.  Once you make that big score, it is too late.  If you gamble, buy this book now.  For those of you who are not normally subject to U.S. income tax, I suggest you read the book before you make that trip to Las Vegas.  Even foreign visitors are subject to our tax laws when they hit it big at the slots, and your $10000 win turns into a $6000 win.  This is a must read.

The “Every Thing” books are evidently a franchised “How to” book similar to the “For Dummies” books.  This book is full of excellent, clear advice to the new poker player.  It is easy to understand and presented well.  If I were teaching a Beginners’ course in poker at the local community college.  This would be the textbook

I know that Hold ‘em is the most popular game right now, but there are many reasons to make this the third book.  First, Poker is about PATIENCE and this book is all about patience.  Many of the principles provided by this book apply to all poker varieties.  Often regarded, by most players, as rather simplistic, it is, that is what makes it so valuable to new players.  For better players, it is a valuable starting point to learn a new game.  It provides the starting point to apply the concepts they have learned in other games.  

I've found the book for this spot.  I haven't finished it yet but it is great.  It could change how many approach the game. This is a must read.

Lou Krieger is one of the best poker authors today.  He was selected as one of the top 100 “gaming” authors of the 20^th Century.  Krieger provides the concepts of winning Hold’em in his usual clear and understandable winner.  The advanced players probably won’t gain any new concepts but it will serve as a good review.

With the popularity of the televised WSOP and WPT, tournament and No Limit poker have taken the world by storm.  Almost every poker site on the internet has at least one No Limit Hold’em tournament with a guaranteed prize pool over $10K everyday.  All players need to understand big bet poker.  Of all the Tournament/No Limit books available this one is the best.  It doesn’t address Hold’em specifically but the concepts are the same.  I liked Phil Gordon’s description.  “Poker is a money game with cards.”  It definitely applies here.

This is one of the best poker books available, and you should question any reviewer that doesn’t put it in the top 10.  There are more books loosely addressing the psychology of poker but this one was the first and will improve your win rate better than all of the others.  Of course, it is more valuable to live poker than Internet poker, but even for the online player it provides great insight into the minds of other players.  It will definitely help everyone get a better read on the opposition.  This is a must read for everyone although it might be of limited value to the beginner.

Phil Gordon didn’t set out to write a “how to play” book.  Yes, there are some suggestions on proper play, but generally this book is about the environment around the game.  The people, the card room and the life.  For the more advanced players it will provide some entertainment as they remember when they first Advanced them.  For the other players thought this book can give some great insights into the poker surroundings.  You might consider it one or two years of experience in an easy to take pill.

Sklansky and Malmuth are arguably the top poker strategist today.  This book will provide most of the information you need to take your Hold’em play to another level.  It is also one of the most misunderstood texts available.  Many players have already read this book but their play indicates that did not grasp the concepts.  “For Advanced Players” is in the title.  Trying to apply the ideas they present without understanding them can be quite costly.  I see it at the tables almost daily.  On the other hand once you understand you have become an excellent player.  This is definitely a must read.

Like many people I’m not enamored with the behavior of Phil Hellmuth, but he is one of the best in the game today, and his strategy for beginners is pretty good.  It is one, that if followed will lead to many successful sessions.  It provides the Beginner or Loser with a good basic strategy.  A quick read might lead to some misunderstanding.  The reader must pay attention to what he says because often it can be a bit confusing.  Personally, He doesn’t write that well or needs to fire his editor.  Some of the ideas were presented very poorly.   Although the strategies are quite simplistic, this book might be important to the Advanced and Novice players.  We need to know what the other players are thinking and those that play according to Hellmuth are quite common and can be devastating to a bankroll.  His strategy is Tight and very Aggressive, the characteristics of most successful players.  One of the common descriptions in my player notes is, Hellmuth Player.  This book should be on your read list.