Poker Books

I got a shit load of em. So here goes a summary, don't waste any money without reviewing here first.

I have broken this into 4 categories 1) General Interest Poker Books (Stories, not technical poker how to), 2) No Limit Hold'em, 3) Limit Hold'em 4) Other. I have read and I have studied all these books and I still suck, so..... take my recommendations at your own risk.

General Interest Poker Books

Postively Fifth Street - James Mcmanus
This book is really two stories in one, discussing the murder of one of the Binion's by his slutty whore wife and also discussing the WSOP tournament play where Mcmanus finishes 5th and then goes and hangs out with a bunch of strippers (OK the strippers part is over only a few pages). Anyways, this is a must read. I would probably take another pass through it but Squeaky hasn't returned my copy.

Poker Nation - Andy Bellin
This book is a bunch of poker stories wrapped around a brief attempt to educate. The stories are pretty good and it is a very enjoyable read. Another item that should be on your must reading list. The back of the book says that Bellin "keeps you in the game with his portraits of the colorful players, dreamers, hustlers and eccentrics". Easy read and only $12.95 - but you can borrow it from me for only $5.

Limit Holdem

Internet Texas Hold'em - Matthew Hilger
If you are going to buy a general hold'em book, this is the one to buy. While its title says internet it has general hold'em theory, hand selection, betting strategies, starting hand charts etc. Sprinkled in is a discussion on some of the major differences between internet play and live play. Well written, great hand examples and easy to understand.

Small Stakes Hold'em - Miller, Sklansky, Malmuth
The 2+2ers and the ITHers really get into it when discussing which one is better. This is a little more advanced book than ITH and teaches a hyper aggressive strategy to limit hold'em. Pummel your opponents, betting and reraising big draws etc. If you are new to limit hold'em I would start with ITH and then move on to SSH. If you only wanted to buy one get ITH.

Killer Poker Online - John Vorhaus
This is the follow up to Killer Poker. I didn't read that one and got this one for Christmas. Don't waste your time if you have read ITH or SSH. If you are intent on reading this one, come see me I will give you my copy.

Inside the Poker Mind - John Feeney
This one came highly recommended. I put it here in limit because the focus is there. Another one of those don't waste your time books, poorly written and boring. You can have my copy.

52 Tips for Texas Hold'em - Barry Shulman
This one looked good, 52 general tips with a page or two of explanation. In one word - Crap. This bad boy comes out with intellectualy stimulating comments like, if you have the best hand bet. If you don't think you have the best hand you might want to fold. Blah blah blah don't waste your time.

No Limit Hold'em

No Limit Texas Hold'em - Daugherty and Mcevoy
Entry level NL Hold'em book. Good starter easy to understand and decent hand examples. Little boring and if you have played any NL against any decent competition (that rules out MPT) you are probably advanced past this book.

Super System - Doyle Brunson
Considered to be the Bible for serious poker players (SSII is out now). Aggression is the name of game here. This book covers all the variations of poker that are played at the WSOP. Great detail. If you want one general poker book, this is it. An f'ing encylopedia of poker. Get SSII though as some of the games in SS are no longer played.

Championship No Limit and Pot Limit Hold'em - Cloutier and Mcevoy
This is a tournament book. Cloutier is supposed to have won the most major tournaments of any player alive. Gives you strategy etc., along with a lot of I'm great from Cloutier. Definitely worth a read. Well written.

Tournament Poker - Mcevoy
Have it, read it don't remember a damn thing about it. Must suck. Stay away.

Tournament Tips from the Pros - Shane Smith
Who the hell is this guy? Never heard of him. Book is interesting, top notch advice like "you have to accumulate chips during the tourney" - Hmm hadn't thought of that. If you are going to Vegas and are going to play in a tourney and you have never seen the structure etc. its worth a quick read.

Harrington on Hold'em - Action Dan Harrington
This book is the cat's ass and I ain't talking about the curious kitty. If you want to study NL tourney Hold'em this is the book for you. Well written, great hand examples and really any book that refers to bad players as "feebs" has my vote. On my second read of this one and waiting on volume 2.


Other

Zen and the Art of Poker - Larry Phillips
Read it, forgot it, move on

Caro's Book of Tells - Mike Caro
If you actually pay attention when you play this is probably a book that is worth while. I don't pay attention and therefore I can't use anything here. I try but no luck. Oh well, I will give it another go soon. Borrow Khyle's copy.