Essential Reads?
 

Are Kill Phil and The Poker Tournament Formula considered essential reads? Looking at previous posts, it seems that both books got more cheers than jeers so I'm just curious if I should check these books out.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

I'd say Kill Phil, Harrington on Hold'em 1-3 and No Limit Hold'em Theory and Practice. Toss Theory of Poker in there too.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

Anything by Phil Hellmuth!

No, I am joking. I second Harrington and Kill Phil suggestions as both examine very different styles of play in tournaments.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

[ QUOTE ]
Are Kill Phil and The Poker Tournament Formula considered essential reads? Looking at previous posts, it seems that both books got more cheers than jeers so I'm just curious if I should check these books out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends what games you're playing.

The book recommended for all serious poker players is The Theory of Poker. And if you focus heavily on No Limit Hold'em, then No Limit Hold'em: Theory and Practice is a must as well.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

I play tournaments and cash games in NL Hold'em, PL Omaha, and big bet 5 Card Draw.

I'm currently reading HOH-1 and I wish I would have read it sooner. I own Theory of Poker and Little Green Book as well. I recently ordered How Good Is Your Pot Limit Omaha and Secrets of Professional Pot Limit Omaha as well.

The list of books I still want are: HOH-2, NLHT&P, PL&NLP, and IYP.

The purpose of this post was to see if KP or PTF should be added to that wish list.

Any other opinions on whether these two books should join my reading list?

Re: Essential Reads?
 

HOH3 is very good, too. Pretty fun read, if not all that earth shattering.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

KP is one of the best poker books ive ever read. If your new or inexperiened in tournaments it will definately improve your play. Great for SNG's also

(I am waiting for PTF to arrive in the mail, but it has had more positives than negatives around the traps and not just on this forum).........

Re: Essential Reads?
 

I'm one of the bigger proponents of PTF around here. If I was putting together a reading list for a NL tournament player PTF would definitely be on it. But HOH1 and HOH2 would still come first.

Re: Essential Reads?
 

I don't consider Kill Phil essential at all. It's a shame really. The book is very good and has very solid material. However, the material it covers is of minimal importance to someone interested in increasing their skill in NL MTTs. Sure the system will get you a lot of 50/50 shots at high skilled players (if they call), but wouldn't you rather learn to play poker rather than push/fold?

Re: Essential Reads?
 

One of my monitors is shorter than the other and "Kill Phil" is just the right hieght to make up the difference. It is essential in that respect. Not good for anything else. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]