Learning Poker: books? websites?

[JohnyBeGood]

I've been playing low-stakes home poker for about a year now and have gotten pretty good at it especially after reading a few articles on the net.

I want to take this one step further and am going to play Poker in vegas next month.

What books do you recommend? Particularly, which book should be the first to read? What if I want two books?

What websites have the best articles, tips, or forums?

[Dougie]

Read, re read and then read again 'Winning Low Limit Hold 'Em' by Lee Jones. If still unfulfilled, read 'Hold 'Em Poker' by David Sklansky. There is no quick way to learn. Sit down, lose a couple hundred bucks, and soon you will be Suma Cum Laude. When you do sit down do it at the Monte Carlo or Binion's. It is still possible to get a decent low limit game at those places.

[ May 13, 2004, 06:59 PM: Message edited by: bazootch ]

[puttputtfc]

I would say both recommendations by bazootch are solid choices if hold' em is your game. A few other books for hold' em I would recommend are The Complete Book of Hold'em by Gary Carson and Hold' em Excellence by Lou Krieger.

If you are looking for other games I would recommend Super System by Doyle Brunson and Improve Your Poker by Bob Ciaffone.

If you are looking for Stud, Winning Seven Card Stud by Asha Adams is a good book.

Caro's Book of Poker Tells is valuable for reading your opponents.

If you plan on playing tournaments, Shane Smith's Poker Tournament Tips From The Pros is a good starting point.

If you want a good laugh read James Thurbur's short story Everything is Wild.

The best advice I can give you is to get to a cardroom and play. You will forget quite a bit from the books when you sit down and as you gain experience at the tables you will get more from the books. Whatever book you choose make sure you reread it after a few sessions at the tables.

[JohnyBeGood]

Wow, great advice, thanks, that's enough to last me a couple of years!!!

What about "The Theory Of Poker" by slansky? It's been recommended to me as being THE classic book of poker...?

[puttputtfc]

Theory of Poker is a great book and a must read if you are going to move from the newbie to the beginner stage. The concepts may be slightly too advanced for a beginner and has one major flaw. Sklansky is a poor writer. Remember those tedious, dry history books that were forced down your throat in junior high? Sklansy ghost wrote them all. There is a lot of useful information in that book but it is hard to digest.

Lee Jones' Winning Low Lomit Hold'em is a great pick and will save you a lot of money especially if the game is loose and passive. It will not make you a lot of money but I highly recommend the book for a first time casino player.

Krieger's Hold'em Excellence is for a tighter game but teaches a more aggressive style than the Jones book. The strength of Krieger's book is the hand starting chart in the back of the book (remember, the most important decision is whether you enter a hand or not) and the fact that Krieger is an excellent writer. This book has a heavy emphasis on discipline but will alert you to situations to avoid. Also highly recommended.

If you go to the table and lose money your first time out that is to be expected. Poker is a game where you have to pay to learn and that's the way it is. One huge difference that new players do not realize about playing in a casino is the cost. There is a rake, dealer tips, server tips and jackpot drop if you are in a jackpot game. Do not let any of that discourage you. Poker is a great way to spend a day and after a while a great way to make some money as well. One last bit advice though, do not lend money to strangers.

[HurricaneMikey]

I agree that 'The Theory of Poker' is extremely dry--it *is* a tough read. I'm on my third try with it right now.

A great book I found at the local Barnes & Noble was 'The Tao of Poker' by Larry W. Phillips. It's a useful book full of quick snippets of advice.

I bought Super System also, and it's a little tougher than I thought it would be. Also, it is soooo out of date that it's almost comical.

Mikey

[ May 14, 2004, 07:44 PM: Message edited by: HurricaneMikey ]