Professional No-Limit Hold 'em Volume 1 Review Thread

[Sounded Simple]

My Review for Beginner-Intermediate / Microstakes Players

I play 25NL for 5-10 hours per week. Poker is a hobby but for me it is a serious hobby. I read and study a lot to get better.
The following are some thoughts for players at a similar stage to me who are wondering should they buy this book.

I liked -
- The first 1/3 of the book deals with the basics and explains them in a very easy to understand way. Most players have a grasp of these ideas but these chapters simplify and reinforce them in an easy to understand manner.
The first 1/3 could be helpful just about anyone, even rank beginners.
- The book is very clear and well written. Someone earlier in the tread (or maybe it was the FR thread) didnt like the layout but I find the 2+2 "standard" fonts easy on the eye.
- One tool the writers use that I really like is that they keep you on your toes when reading. When reading theory books its so easy to go into auto pilot and read 1/2 a page before you realise that you didnt take in what was said.
In this book the authors will ask "did you notice we left out the stack sizes" and you realise that you didnt notice that therefore you are not reading and thinking properly.
- A similar point to above, the writers give you information and then ask the question "what do you do next?". To get the most from these books you must stop and think.
- The maths is thorough but light enough to follow.
- Contrary to what a lot of people say the concepts and strategy given are very flexible. Exceptions to the SPR "rules" are outlined again and again both in footnotes and at the end of each chapter.
- Although its a cash game book SPR is applicable to low blind situations and therefore tournaments.
- I really like that the authors take the time to come on here and answer questions people have.

I didnt like -
- Well not really a criticism but the majority of the book is dedicated to a single concept SPR, I accept that its a pretty important concept but are the authors going to write half a book about every important concept? Actually I hope so but I cant see it since you would end up with 8 or 9 volumes - actually that wouldnt be a bad thing.
On the flip side to this point SPR addresses one of the biggest leaks I see at 25NL (and my own biggest leak) - planning hands like TPTK so you don't have difficult decisions. Therefore it needs a lot of space.
- A little more emphasis on the how live games (where you can raise 6-8bb no problem) differ from online (where >4bb+ 1bb per limper arouses suspicion)
- I would have liked more detail about what's coming in Vol 2 (and hopefully 3....)
- More hand examples would have been nice, perhaps at some stage a HOH3 style workbook?

Is this book better than NLTAP?
I have seen this question a lot but I cant think of a sensible answer.
A more sensible question would be "Given the cost of the book and the time required to read it will my winrate improve enough to justify reading it?". Answer - YES.

So who should buy this book?
Well IMO anyone who reads about poker. Total beginners would be better off with Ed Millers "Getting Started in Holdem", though this book would be a natural progression for a thinking player (note -beginners would still find the first few chapters helpful).
Anyone looking for a "quick fix" or easy "cookbook" formula should forget about reading books and just shortstack. This book is not "easy", if it were it would not be a good poker book, you will get out what you put in.

This book is fantasic and a must for any serious player. I cant wait for the next volume.

So to summarise, yes buy this book!