QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Games
 

Just got my Chan book from FedEx and took a few minutes to go through it quickly.

Overall this has a lot more information than I though it would and I like the way it's laid out. Instead of just writing about certain illustrative hands, this book takes a page out of Harrington's work and illustrates each move with reasoning behind it. Each hand that is gone over cover's different "Key Concepts" such as; Thinking Ahead, Not Trapping Yourself, Not Giving Free Cards, Playing Top Pair, Betting For Value, Continuation Bets, Playing Middle Pairs, Isolating other players, etc... There's a lot more covered in the book, a ton more than I had expected, and with Chan's commentary, thinking, and reasoning behind specific actions it really makes this a top rate book at first glance.

I read through a few pages to get an idea of the style described and it's really nice and aggressive...something that I've been trying to learn how to use effectively in limit play. It's very clear cut and simple to understand. There's no complicated math that Chan goes over, although he keeps the novice player updated on how many outs they have in the hand, and there's a quick section in the back of the book that does go into more detail regarding Odds, Outs, and Percentages. Anyone familiar with Phil Gordon's Rule of 4 and 2 will understand how to calculate their percentages, so this is a brushup section for some people.

Overall, with just the few things I've read in the book so far and the surprising amount of information in it, I'm going to give it 10 Johnny Chan Bobbleheads out of 10 [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I agree, I'm about half way through and so far its one of the best limit book i've read... and i've read 90% of them.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Games
 

Has Mason or Ed Miller posted a review?

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

wow, i'm shocked (in a positive way)...

i see there's a co-writer... i think that's the way to do it. get a professional writer who knows poker to do the heavy lifting and have the pro comment on the writing (obviously huge assumption on my part)... maybe ivey especially and negreanu/hansen (still interest??) could do the same for no-limit.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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wow, i'm shocked (in a positive way)..

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Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

What's so shocking? His first book was really good even though it was slated towards the beginner. This one takes the good concept of writing as if Chan's sitting next to you and expands that into even greater potential

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

where can I order? Couldn´t find it on amazon.

Thanks much
Wolf

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I didn't read his beginners book.
For some reason I was guessing his book on limit holdem wouldn't be that spectacular. He wouldn't be the first solid player to come out with a mediocre book.

The first two reviewers seem to be positively gushing over it and rating it a 10 Johnny Chan Bobbleheads out of 10. That just really surprised me.
I thought it might be look browsing through in the bookstore to see if there was enough to it to make it worth buying.
But now I feel pretty certain that I'm going to get it.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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http://www.amazon.com/Million-Dollar-Hol...TF8&s=books

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thanks a lot - now I feel dumb [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

option to get book faster is order directly thru publisher cardoza..you can call them and they ship it same day

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

[ QUOTE ]
What's so shocking? His first book was really good even though it was slated towards the beginner. This one takes the good concept of writing as if Chan's sitting next to you and expands that into even greater potential

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thanks, picked up chan's first book from the library, and while there's some things you could criticize , it's a very enjoyable read and i like how he lays out his advice (even if it is skimpy). for whatever reason, i also like the glossy paper and the color is really nice.

the writing style in the beginner's book for 400 pages (new book?) focussed only on limit would be fantastic.... hope they'll do no-limit next (surprised they didn't change to no-limit as i think the book would be really, really hot right now)

EDIT: two things i liked (1 each about book & no-limit section) 1) hand-reading orientation; 2) specific ideas on how to get paid in NL (too many people think you just get paid off on a set... not true at all in my opinion).... so, this bodes well for the limit book and a no-limit book if published.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I think im going to wait to hear some unbiased reviews before I buy the book.

I don't mean to be a dick, but the only thing the poster ever talks about is Johnny Chan. Although it's biased, the review has piqued my interest.

Definitly curious to hear what other people think about it.

Please post your reviews if you have read this book!

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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I think im going to wait to hear some unbiased reviews before I buy the book.

I don't mean to be a dick, but the only thing the poster ever talks about is Johnny Chan. Although it's biased, the review has piqued my interest.

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thanks for the heads-up... and the guy halfway thru the book hasn't commented in the book section in recent memory..

chan's beginner book though is a nice read... and as i said, some of the things he comments on would bode well for a much bigger book...

on a similar vein, it's interesting when you go to amazon and click thru on some of the book reviews for those that don't have many reviews (52 no-limit tips for example). seems like 5-6 people read exactly the same books.....

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

This weekend I picked up Poker Essays and How Good Is Your Limit Hold'em. Want to take a crack at HPFAP next, but I did skim through Johnny Chan's book and it looked interesting. Combusted is Johnny Chan's book geared towards the intermediate Hold'em player or is it more advanced? Might read it if it before HPFAP.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Games
 

does anyone know what limits chans book is geared towards?

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Most of the examples are from 10 - 20 games, with some 15 - 30 thrown in. He says that the strategies will work on tables down to 3/6

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I am working my way through the book and although I find the content interesting, it is by no means a 'masterwork' on limit.

The format has GIGANTIC graphics of the table action (a la HOH) and prints a new graphic for flop, turn and river. As a result it takes nine pages to describe having AA in BB, calling a steal raise and then bet/raising the flop and betting turn and river. The whole thing feels like an assignment handed in using font size 14 and 1 1/2 line spacing.

The commentary that accompanies the graphics are pretty meager, basically just describing the action. And while it presents some interesting concepts it covers them in a pretty shallow manner. It feels like you are talking to a very smart prof who presents an interesting concept and then refuses to discuss it with you. You are left at the end of each section going "but, but, but what about....".

Having said all that, I do find the book interesting and for those of you who have a shelf full of books (like me) you know you are going to buy it regardless. However if you are selectively buying poker books, there are far better ones out there.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I dont think theres any book out there that is going to give you the same benefits as coaching or playing countless games,thinking about poker,reading 2plus2 forums. Heck how did the great/good players of today do it without these books out there. Frankly, is there a slam dunk grat book out there on poker theory?? heck people even think sshe has flaws. If you really want to get into the mind of a successfull player you need to seek a seminar,coach etc. I havent read the chan book alot, but if you can pick up a few things you didnt know before its worthwhile. Can you get for the cost of 30 bucks an amount greater in saved bad bets..probably.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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on a similar vein, it's interesting when you go to amazon and click thru on some of the book reviews for those that don't have many reviews (52 no-limit tips for example). seems like 5-6 people read exactly the same books.....

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Yeah, you've got to take Amazon customer reviews with a grain of salt and read through them critically. Look for trends in what is being said, give more credit to those reviewers who are "ranked," etc. I've seen reviews of CDs that I knew were personal friends of the artist. Also saw publicists post excerpts from favorable reviews from other sources (including one of mine) that, while legitimate, definitely slanted the feel of the customer review section.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I think some people who regularly read 2+2 books might be a little surprised by the format of the book. With the illustrations and easy to understand explanations of actions, etc... accompanying them.

The big differences between the 2+2 books and the new Chan book are mostly in how simply the answers to questions are stated. In the Chan book there is no doctoral thesis written on "The Free Card", he simply says

1. Don't Give Them
2. Here's How to Do It
3. Here's Why You Are Doing It

Simple as that. I don't need to read any complicated mathmatical explanations as to why my EV will be positive by not giving free cards, because when I'm playing at my local card room I'm not going to be able to break out my slide rule and calculator to figure that out. I simply need to know what is the best move(s) in the situation I'm in, simple as that. And the Chan book does that on each and every page. Like I said, it's not just "Do This...Do That", it's "Your best move would be to do this because...and...Your best option here is to do this because...", with nothing complicated to confuse you.

I've heard that some people need to study the Theory of Poker for months and some even years before they truly understand it. If that's honestly the case, than the author has not communicated the message well. I understand there is a lot of information contained in the book as I used to own it, but when I'm trying to learn something I don't want it to consume my entire life.

For those people who enjoy meticulous details that may or may not confuse you, than I'd go with the Theory of Poker for your education in Limit, however; for those people who want to easily understand and quickly pick up how to play expert Limit Hold'em than I'd recommend the Chan book for them.

Either way you'll learn how to win, it's just your own style of learning that will change your opinion of either book.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

i'll at least flip through it when it hits my local barnes and noble but i'd be surprised if the Chan book was (a) more comprehensive and/or (b) more clearly written than SSHE.

bbbushu

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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i'd be surprised if the Chan book was (a) more comprehensive and/or (b) more clearly written than SSHE.



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I felt that SSHE was really muddled and put together in a way that:

A) Made the game boring
B) Was very exhausting to read, and
C) Used too many words to illustrate different points

That's my personal opinion on SSHE, and since everyone has a different style in which they learn, the Chan book suited me much more nicely.

Let us know your thoughts on it when you check it out!

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Thx, add this to my list for Santa.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Reading this thread made me realize this book basically offers instruction without explanation. Oh well.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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Reading this thread made me realize this book basically offers instruction without explanation. Oh well.

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It offers instruction with easy to understand explanation. For something to be explained it doesn't take 2,000 words. Unless your just trying to take up space.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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Let us know your thoughts on it when you check it out!

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so this is just a shill?

bbbu

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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I don't need to read any complicated mathmatical explanations as to why my EV will be positive by not giving free cards, because when I'm playing at my local card room I'm not going to be able to break out my slide rule and calculator to figure that out.

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Are you trying to get people not to buy Chan's book?

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

The assumption of most 2+2 readers is that things have to be complicated for them to be worthwile. Something has to confuse you to start with, and than you try to understand it. Maybe it's time to start making things easier on yourself and reading other publications that communicate ideas in an easier to understand manner.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Yeah come and sell a book to 2p2 folks by insulting them. Let me know how that works out.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Here is my take:

I am about 1/3 of the way through this book and I think it's pretty good. It's laid out in an easy to follow way and the information is pretty good. There is nothing written here that hasn't been written before and chan's approach is very simple but this approach will appeal to players that aren't always in the mood of reading a textbok. I don't think all the concepts are covered in detail but this book is a good additional read to the required text that we are all so familiar with.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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Let us know your thoughts on it when you check it out!

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so this is just a shill?

bbbu

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Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

[ QUOTE ]
The assumption of most 2+2 readers is that things have to be complicated for them to be worthwile. Something has to confuse you to start with, and than you try to understand it. Maybe it's time to start making things easier on yourself and reading other publications that communicate ideas in an easier to understand manner.

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I'm just curious but what is your relationship to Johnny Chan? You've done nothing on here but promote his book and I for one would be very surprised if it is worthwhile, but I will know for sure when I get around o it.

Also, your characterization of our stuff is not very accurae.

MM

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

Mason,

i'm assuming scheeren's reference to "us" is an incidental admittance of some connection to the book that calls into question the random nature of this reader's purchase/excitement.

seems obv, now that i think about it.
bbbushu

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I haven't read Chan's book, but I did pick it up and browse through it a couple of times at Border's books. I thought he had some good things to say about bankroll and money management, but my impression of the strategy was that it was sort of basic, at least at first glance at some of the hand examples.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

I have really enjoyed the book so far. I like the style it's written in and the advice is quite decent.

Although I wish Chan would write a NL book. Limit hold'em just isn't true poker in my eyes and around these parts, NL is the man's game and limit is the women's game.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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limit is the women's game.

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I just got my vagina in the mail today!! I will bring it to all my live games as a good luck charm.

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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but my impression of the strategy was that it was sort of basic, at least at first glance at some of the hand examples.

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Hi GreywolfNYC:

Thanks for the information, it is more in line with what I would expect.

Best wishes,
Mason

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

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around these parts, NL is the man's game and limit is the women's game.

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PLEASE tell me this is not a joke. this is without question the funniest thing i've ever read on 2p2 and i think it would really kill my buzz if you're just being sarcastic.

bbbushu

Re: QUICK REVIEW: Johnny Chan\'s Million Dollar Hold\'em: Limit Cash Ga
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
around these parts, NL is the man's game and limit is the women's game.

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PLEASE tell me this is not a joke. this is without question the funniest thing i've ever read on 2p2 and i think it would really kill my buzz if you're just being sarcastic.

bbbushu

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Glad you get such a kick out of it, but it's true. Go to some of the poker clubs around Houston and you'll find the NL games to be predominantly male. The women playing almost always sit in the limit games.