Do I need both ToP and SSHE

MattHH · #1 10-26-2007, 09:09 AM

I am looking at the various 2+2 books (holdem poker, holdem for advanced players, sshe, and top) and trying to decide which ones to get. It seems that some of them have similiar structures from looking at the table of contents and I could maybe narrow it down to two texts: sshe and top

I am wondering if I should get both Theory of Poker and SSHE. I am on a little bit of a budget so I don't want to spend money for a rehash of material if I can get away with just buying SSHE. Any help would be appreciated.

MattHH · #2 10-26-2007, 09:56 AM

If it makes a difference, I read Lee Jones' book and internet texas holdem.

DiamondDog · #3 10-26-2007, 11:34 AM

Get both TOP and SSHE if you possibly can.

No way that either of those could be regarded as a rehash of the other.

Good Luck.

NickMPK · #4 10-26-2007, 11:36 AM

Do you play small stakes limit hold-em? Then SSHE is by far the best book you can get. But they don't really contain much of the same material. SSHE is much more of a "cook book" telling you what hands to play when, and TOP is much more generalized...it's almost all broad concepts that can apply to any poker game without giving specific situational recommendation.

MattHH · #5 10-26-2007, 02:02 PM

OK thanks for the info. I am reading about 1 poker book a week for the past month so I should just pony up the dough and get both.

PorkchopDJG · #6 10-26-2007, 03:26 PM

You still didn't answer what game you primarily play.

If you play limit holdem live 10/20 and under, SSHE is the BEST book ever written on loose/passive calling station type games.
It's a must have for all limit holdem players.

Theory of Poker is probably the best all around book on general concepts that apply to any type of poker game at any level.
This is also a must have.

If you play primarily online limit holdem "Holdem Poker for Advanced Players" may be best.
If you play primarily no limit just get TOP for now.
If you play primarily NL tourneys get Harrington on Holdem 1-3.

MattHH · #7 10-26-2007, 07:22 PM

I am focusing on my small stakes limit holdem cash game right now. I want to keep reading and playing online with the goal of eventually playing live.

I was mostly playing in NL MTTs and SNGs off and on for the past 3 years, but the more I read about tourney strategy, the more I realized that a solid foundation in limit holdem would really benefit my poker knowledge (and give me another type of game that I could play).

The funny thing is that the more you learn, the more you realize how much you don't know yet. I am at the point where I am starting to think more logically about my game and realize that I am not as good of a player as I thought I was.

amulet · #8 10-26-2007, 10:31 PM

you need both. both are great books.

ssh is great at explaining a lot of advanced hold em concepts and how to play. in practical terms it will teach you which hands to play, which hands to raise for a positive expectation, position, counting outs, odds, flop texture, protecting you hand, etc.

theory of poker is very different. i consider it the best and most important poker book ever written. it teaches you theory. it discusses, theory that applies to every decision you make at the table. basic game theory that applies to every decision you make in life. it covers why to raise, why to bluff, why calling is correct even if you think you are a dog to win a pot, playing hands deceptively, position, implied odds, theory of semi-bluffing, etc. you will read top several times after your initial read, and you will find that you reread this at least once a year for the next ten years.

and i also think that even though you are on a budget hpfap will more then pay for itself.

amulet · #9 10-26-2007, 10:37 PM

below is a list of the poker books that i consider to be the most important for my development. there is no order.

The Theory of Poker
Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players
Small Stakes Hold 'em
Harrington on Hold 'em Volume I
Harrington on Hold'em Volume II
Harrington on Hold'em Volume III
Seven Card Stud for Advanced Player
High-Low Split Poker, Seven Card Stud and Omaha Eight or Better for Advanced Players
Sklansky on Poker
Gambling Theory and Other Topics
Getting the Best of It
Inside the Poker Mind
Poker Esasys I
Poker Esasys II
Poker Eassys III
Poker, Gaming, & Life

also good:

Weighing the Odds
Middle Limit Hold 'Em
No Limit Hold 'em theory & Practice
How Good is your Limit Poker
Professional No Limit Hold 'em
Tournament Poker for Advanced Players

Gonso · #10 10-26-2007, 11:59 PM

[ QUOTE ]
below is a list of the poker books that i consider to be the most important for my development. there is no order.

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's mine, stripped down to essentials:

LHE: Small Stakes Hold 'em
7Stud: Seven Card Stud for Advanced Players
7Stud8/O8: High/Low for Advanced Players
NLHE cash: Harrington 1 + Professional No Limit Hold 'em
NLHE tourney: Harrington 1 + 2

Immediately after reading the above I'd go straight to Theory of Poker. After that there are a number of good books to move on to if you play LHE or NLHE.

I also omitted some very good starter books like Little Green Book, Getting Started in Hold 'Em, and Hold 'em Poker. I like them, but I think you could do just as well going right to the more intermediate level books.