[High3rEl3m3nt]

I don't know what it is about poker books, but I buy them for the hell of it. I probably have more invested in poker books than basket's networth. Most of these books are worthless, but the latest book I picked up is a true gem. Phil Gordon's Gold Book truly introduces advanced strategy and mathematics, whereas many of the other books in my collection claim to but are really shallow. Check it out....guarantee many of you will enjoy, unless math is too boring for you.

[Jimmy Proffett]

The Phil Gordon books are the easiest for me to follow. A lot of great information in them. Which is weird b/c I hate the way the guy plays.

[CrazyCarl]

Would this book be worth reading for a low level player? I.e., should I try to apply lessons from it in my $1 tables, or is this focused on when you are playing good people?

[High3rEl3m3nt]

Carl,

It's a funny thing about the stakes of the game and the argument, that middle and higher stakes games have better players. Yes, I do think that it's easier to spot regulars, who likely have a roll and are TAGs, but I also feel that .5/$1 and $1/$2 have as many good players as bad ones, at least where I play. At these stakes, it's more likely that players will have a proper roll backing their play and that they will feel comfortable using advanced strategies to isolate and take advantage of easier money--especially 6-way. There's also plenty of fish to be had too.

The book is dynamic and explains how different strategies should be adjusted to different playing styles. For example, the section on range combinatorics works against any opponent, though it's easier to perceive a better player's range of cards easier than it is to define a lower-level player's range.

Another example of how the book is appropriate against all types of players is it gives general advice on 3-betting against a variety of playing styles and the long-term profitability--again, generalized, but useful.

Some interesting rules, which I have only read in this book are: Gordon's A-X Rule and Gordon's Pair Rule. Both of these are shortcuts that use combinatorics and probability, though the A-X rule has its limitations. Essentially, the A-X rule is if you count the players left to act after you, and your kicker is higher than the number remaining, it is probably that your hand is the favorite, or a at worse, a coin flip.

The pocket pair rule is used to determine the likelihood that someone else at the table will have a higher PP than you. The formula goes:

C = H X P / 2, where C is the chance someone will have a higher pair, H is number of pairs higher than yours, and P is the number of players left to act after you.

Don't be square like me though, and purchase this at Barnes Noble, instead save yourself some cash and buy through Amazon. Also, if anyone is interested in whether a particular poker book is a good buy, I could give you my take on it or answer specific questions in regards to a section of the book you are interested in buying.

[High3rEl3m3nt]

Also, many of the most popular books can be found in your local library---something that I didn't expect when I moved to SLC. +EV move.

[daneblazer]

It would be nice if casino's offered a crash statistics course to each of its patrons that walk into the door. Maybe hand them a map of the casino and highlight the sucker bet areas and worst slots in the casino. Then hand out a cheat sheet of the house edge for each game. Example: banker on baccarat has a 1.06% house advantage, Keno has a 25% house edge, Caribbean Stud 5% house edge, etc. Also offer the little gold book, theory of poker, and let there be range at the entry of the poker room. Not sure why more places don't do this actually.

[CrazyCarl]

Thanks for the input. Would you recommend starting off with something less advanced for a more lower-intermediate type player?

I know some very basic stuff like estimating the odds of chasing, etc., but not much else.

[High3rEl3m3nt]

Some others can add their two-cents. While considered the bible of poker books, I'd argue that unless you are starting your very own poker book collection, don't buy Super System 1 or 2...

Here's three that won't steer you wrong:

[High3rEl3m3nt]

Small stakes poker can be very profitable. In the last two weeks, I have won over $1k playing .50/$1--not even playing long sessions. Unfortunately, I lost some to the books. The tables lately have had a perfect mix of players.

[a4u2fear]

only way to really improve at poker is to just play a shitload of hands, you learn the situations and normalities that are associated with types of players and hands.

[High3rEl3m3nt]

a4,

I agree with that statement...but it's also advantageous to understand and utilize different mathematical concepts. Good post.