book reading order

[newb]

I would always start with TOP.

Some of the ideas presented might not be clear at first, but as you progress through the other books, these ideas will be clarified.

It´s a matter of taste, but I like to study the framework before I get into the specifics.

The rest of the order seems pretty standard.

[AFCBeer]

[ QUOTE ]
I would always start with TOP.


[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but I can't agree with this. If the OP is planning on playing limit then fair enough but applying some of the concepts from TOP into no limit could be a disaster.

I'm certainly not suggesting that TOP shouldn't be read. I just feel that one should get a decent understanding of NL before reading the book. That way he will be able to work out for himself what applies in NL and what doesn't.

[pokerman777]

my list
1. Little green book
2.NLTAP
3. Harrington vol.1-2
4.Sng strategy by collin moshman
5.prof No limit holdem vol.1

[magx]

any more comments about TOP and NLTAP? = which one i should read first ?
I decided to master cash games and then move on to tournaments and sng's. i need to have answer to the TOP/NLTAP question and then ill post my new order(so people can tell me why im doing it wrong again hehe).

[newb]

[ QUOTE ]
any more comments about TOP and NLTAP? = which one i should read first ?
I decided to master cash games and then move on to tournaments and sng's. i need to have answer to the TOP/NLTAP question and then ill post my new order(so people can tell me why im doing it wrong again hehe).

[/ QUOTE ]

NLTAP is a book specificly about NLHE. TOP covers the fundamentals of poker as a whole.

It is the book where, the fundamental theorem of poker, is presented for the first time. This theorem forms the core for much of the concepts expressed in NLTAP.


It is not the easiest read, but if you want to understand other poker books better I think you should definitely start with TOP.

Here is my idea of an ideal list:

1) TOP
2) Odds and Probabilities book
3) GSIH
4) NLTAP
5) PNLH

Then, once you´re well versed in the theory and have sound fundamentals you can read the following books to get some different takes on the game:

LGB
The Largay book

The HOH series is great for tournaments, but vol. 1 can be used for cash games too.

[No Fizzle]

OK all: We can quibble about order but if we are here to help we should at least read what OP wants.

He is not playing tournaments right now, so no need to read the tournament books.

Getting started in hold 'em ABSOLUTELY needs to be first, as he has never played before.

OP, read that one and maybe post your question again, with a smaller list, and what exactly you are looking for. Good luck.

[magx]

ok i pretty much decided what im going to do: first im going to master cash games and then move to tournament and then sng's(or is it better to go sng's and then tounaments ?). so my order is going to be:
1. Getting Started in Holdem by Ed Miller
2. Little Green Book, by Gordon
3.No-Limit Texas Hold'em: A Complete Course , by Angel Largay's
4.Harington On Hold Em vol 1(+making move from vol 2)
5.Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I by Matt Flynn, Sunny Mehta, and Ed Miller
6.Texas Holdem Odds and Probabilities by Hilger
7.Theory of Poker, by David Sklansky
8.No Limit Hold Em: Theory and Practice
9.Harrington on Hold Em vol 2
10.Harrington on Hold Em vol 3
11.Full Tilt Strategy Guide
12.Sit 'n Go Strategy by Collin Moshman

my only thing i dont know what to do about is should i read TOP befor NLTAP or NLTAP befor TOP ?
the second thing im not sure about is should i read Texas Holdem Odds and Probabilities befor both TOP and NLTAP or after them ?
i think this is the most efficiant way and ill be happy to explain if someone dont understand why

[newb]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I would always start with TOP.


[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry but I can't agree with this. If the OP is planning on playing limit then fair enough but applying some of the concepts from TOP into no limit could be a disaster.

I'm certainly not suggesting that TOP shouldn't be read. I just feel that one should get a decent understanding of NL before reading the book. That way he will be able to work out for himself what applies in NL and what doesn't.

[/ QUOTE ]

What concepts do you refer to?

I have TOP here before me, and all the 25 chapters seem relevant to either limit or no limit.

Your main concern could be chapter ten, the free card , but in that same chapter the importance of defending your made hands, and not giving a free card, is stressed.

Obviously in limit the price of a bet doubles on the turn and river, so you can raise on the flop for a free card when in position.
Applying this concept is quite useless, even dangerous one might say in no limit, but I think OP can make this destinction quite easy.

Apart from this concept, I really don´t see wich other concepts are limit specific.

All the poker books, imho, are variations on TOP.
To understand those better I think any student is best served studying TOP first.