Poker Essays
Book reviews
By
Pokershopping.com
November
2005
Super System
by Doyle Brunson
When this poker
book was published in the late 70s it angered
a lot of people who earned their living playing poker.
The author, Doyle "Texas Dolly" Brunson (World Champions
of Poker 1976 and 1977), was accused of giving away
too much information - the professional poker players
feared that they would lose the advantage they had
in the game. The book undeniably revolutionized the
poker world, and today it's held as a "poker bible".
Naturally lots of poker books have
come out since Super System was published. Some of
the concepts presented in Brunson's masterpiece have
aged but the book still contains useful and effective
poker advice. Many different forms of poker are covered
and the many hand examples are easy to understand
and really informative and helpful. Another great
feature is the chapter on playing No Limit Texas Hold'em
which has a truly unique approach. In addition to
this Brunson lively describes the history of the game
- poker's grand old man certainly has many fascinating
stories to tell. However, the book is poorly organized
and it's actually a bit difficult to find what you're
looking for.
Theory of Poker
by David Sklansky
David Sklansky is held as one of the
top authorities on gambling in the world today, and
has written several books about poker. In "Theory
of Poker" introduces the reader to the fundamentals
of this classic and exciting cardgame. The concepts
in the book can be applied to almost every poker variation,
and it's a must read if you want to take your game
to a higher level. Bluffing, the value of deception,
the value of many poker
chips, bluffing, betting/raising, the importance
of position, slow-playing, heads-up play, the psychological
aspects of poker, game theory, implied odds, the free
card, semi bluffing are some of the topics covered.
Whether you prefer Texas Hold'EM or
Five Card Stud, this book will be very valuable. No
particular playing form is in focus in "Theory of
Poker", but every ambitious player will be able to
find strategies and ideas to apply to his or hers
game. However, if you're beginning player you should
perhaps look elsewhere. The text in this book is very
elaborate and complicated and will be difficult to
grasp for an inexperienced poker player.
Hold'Em Poker for Advanced
Players
by David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth
If you want to be a top class Texas
Hold'em player you have to master complex strategies
and understand the psychological depths of the game.
In this book, the authors David Sklansky and Mason
Malmuth takes up a vast number of topics related to
Hold'em- starting hand standards, heads-up play, slow
playing, check-raising, gaining free cards, inducing
bluffs, semi bluffing, and understanding implied odds
are some examples. The strategic advice presented
is certainly effective and useful, and if you apply
the concepts correctly and with discipline you will
surely take your Hold'em game to a higher level.
The content might be complex, but
the book is very well written and easy to follow,
with a great question and answer section included.
Poker beginners are well advised to choose a simpler
book to get started with, but in the long run "Hold'em
Poker for Advanced Players" is a must read. Many of
the best poker players in the world today have admitted
to reading this book several times.
Internet Texas Holdem
by Matthew Hilger
Some poker players prefer live games,
others do best online. Many strong poker players have
testified to the big differences between these ways
of playing, and their own difficulties to switch from
one to the other. This poker
book is focused on Internet poker - what special
skills must you posses to make a profit in the online
poker games? The advice is restricted to Limit Texas
Hold'em games, but if you want to improve yourself
in this playing form you will find many useful tips
in Hilger's book. The author carefully goes through
everything you need to know to make your way in these
types of games.
Matthew Hilger started playing poker
professionally in 2001 and has played over 7,000 hours
online. He knows the game, and he knows how to communicate
the experience he has gained. The advice given is
clear and effective, the book is easy to read, and
the concepts presented are easy to follow and understand.
"Test your skill" sections and chapter reviews after
each chapter are certainly very useful features. This
book is highly recommended if you're looking to improve
you online poker skills.
Poker Tournament Strategies
by Sylvester Suzuki
Any poker player that wants to achieve
success in tournaments must adjust his game plan to
the special circumstances this playing form offers.
The size of your and your opponents' chip stack becomes
a very important factor in poker tournaments. Possibilities
to make re-buys might also affect your approach to
the game. If you play the same way you would in a
regular cash game you will find it very difficult
to be successful in tournaments. Very few players
master both tournaments and cash games.
Sylvester Suzuki (a pseudonym used
by a very experienced tournament player) covers most
aspects of tournament play in this book. When is it
right to be on the offensive and try to eliminate
other players? When is it best to concentrate on accumulating
poker
chips and building up your stack, without
taking any big risks? When should you just try to
survive and stay in the game? If you've been asking
yourself these kinds of questions, this is the book
for you. It's well written, easy to follow, and provides
solid and effective poker tournament strategy advice.
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