The Play of Hands by Roy Cooke

Cactus Jack · #1 02-28-2007, 11:35 AM

No one ever mentions this book, but it's one of the top five in my library. It's a compilation of Roy's columns in Card Player, so many may have read them, but it's a must have. Really.

Want to think like a pro at the table? Get this book. Cooke takes you through hands and his thinking at the table. His reads are great. Even his mistakes are there.

I can't understand why this book doesn't get the notice it deserves.

CJ

PJS · #2 02-28-2007, 12:13 PM

Hi Cactus.

It has probably been discussed more than you realise. The book is thought of very highly as well.

If I'm not mistaken, I think Roy is bringing out another edition sometime this year. Will look forward to that if it's true.

PJS

mucked4u · #3 02-28-2007, 01:19 PM

YES a +++++++++EV . Roy has a tremendous mind for the game.

Frond · #4 02-28-2007, 05:02 PM

Is his book striclty for limit play?

playersare · #5 02-28-2007, 05:16 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Is his book striclty for limit play?

[/ QUOTE ]
well, all that he has ever written is for mid-high limit poker. some of the hand reading anecdotes might be useful for NL nth-level thinking though, even if just on a theoretical basis.

Frond · #6 02-28-2007, 05:46 PM

Cool thanks. I am a LHE player for the most part so I will eventually check his book out.

amulet · #7 02-28-2007, 08:49 PM

i bought "real poker II, the play of hands" after mason gave it a strong recommendation here. it is a good book. however, i was surprised that several times i thought he made a slightly incorrect play and didn't seem to notice. but overall it is pretty good.

Jeffage · #8 02-28-2007, 09:21 PM

I love this book - it's nice to just pick it up and open it to a random article and gives lots to think about. Great, great read.

Jeff

JJay1231 · #9 02-28-2007, 11:29 PM

Im waiting for this book to arrive so I'm glad it's reviews are positive overall before I read it. I also read somewhere that there will be a volume 3 coming out, but cant remeber which site it was on.

fungaimike56 · #10 03-01-2007, 11:40 AM

Cactus Jack, you are right on here. Cooke has always been good on mid-limit hold-em. And he seems to be growing. His article in the Cardplayer with Mizrachi on the cover that works through his thoughts and reflections on 'edge' is profound. He lost the hand but the reader wins big.