The original Super System was the most comprehensive poker guide of its time. Therefore there was a lot of excitement in the air with the release of this book, and it did not disappoint. Though written in the same format at the first, it uses some of the best players in the game today to co-author sections. Names like: Daniel Negreanu, Lyle Berman, Bobby Baldwin, Johnny Chan, Mike Caro, Jennifer Harman, Todd Brunson, Crandell Addington and of course Doyle in the No Limit section. With some many authors pinning a section, the book has not only many different styles of play but like the first one, many different games as well. If you liked the first one this one is just as good, just a little updated in its thoughts. If you never read the first one, this is a must read for poker enthusiasts.
The Theory of Poker
Author: David Sklansky, Mason Malmuth
Publisher: Two Plus Two – 1987
One of the most important books ever written on poker is “The Theory of Poker” by David Sklansky It was first to identify many of the underlying strategic principles of poker. The book is based off of this theorem. Though a little obvious in its simplicity, Sklansky uses it to explain many strategies and underlying principle of poker.
Fundamental Theorem of Poker:
Every time you play a hand differently from the way you would have played it if you could see all your opponents’ cards, they gain; and every time you play your hand the same way you would have played it if you could see all their cards, they lose. Conversely, every time opponents play their hands differently from the way they would have if they could see all your cards, you gain; and every time they play their hands the same way they would have played if they could see all your cards, you lose.
Other fundamental concepts as well as practical advice are introduced in this book include pot odds, effective odds, implied odds, reverse implied odds the value of deception, the danger of the free card, the semi-bluff, and the importance of position. As well as the psychology of poker and the profitability of a game Sklansky also includes a chapter on game theory, as it applies to bluffing and calling.
This book is a must in your poker library for beginner or expert player. The basis is lays out for poker playing is indebt and critical to understanding the nuances of the game.
Harrington on Hold’em, Volume 1
Author: Dan Harrington – Bill Robertie
Publisher: Two Plus Two 2004
Written by Dan Harrington, 1995 WSOP Champion and top four finisher in the 2003 and 2004 event and Bill Robertie, backgammon champion and author. This is a first of a two part book. These books will focus on NL Holdem tournament play.
Like all books it starts with a brief over view and some introductory material but is clearly aimed at readers with at least some no-limit hold’em tournament experience. Next, the book moves on to some general theoretical advice. This includes: common playing styles, tournament types, getting a feel for the table and odds and hand analysis. The last half of the book covers material that most players would be looking for, the play of hands on each betting round. Here you will find many examples and you are guided through an analysis of many real-life situations. A big difference in this book is that not only will Harrington advise you on a hand but will tell you why he is advising you to play it that way, a very valuable asset in the poker world to have.
This book is very well organized and presents the information in a very concise and well thought out format. Though maybe not a book for the beginner, it is a most have for the serious tournament player.
