Play Poker like a Pro

[James81]

Hi,

did anyone had read it ?

Any Comments ?

[Baby Mantis]

First poker book I ever read actually, and in opposition to everyone else that you will probably see post here I thought it was helpful. It taught me the basics and got me started, and you can't deny that Hellmuth is probably one of the best NL tourney players out there (if you can get past his super ego, e.g. if it wasn't for luck I would win them all attitude). I will add though that other books are very good resources. Of course Super System, (can't comment on Super system 2 because I haven't read the entire text.) I thought Scott Fischman's book "Online Ace" was overall the most helpful for beginners and people interested in SNG's and for that matter cash and MTTs. Also "Poker and The Art of War" by David Apostolico was a pretty good read for MTTs. To get back to your OP, Hellmuths book gave the basic game layout and playing styles, e.g. TAG, LAG, etc. except he uses animal types. Overall it is ok, but I would stick with Doyle or Fischmans book, oh also Sklansky, and Harrington's books.

[James81]

Ty

I wanted to know if this book is total [censored] or not. I have it already as a gift from a friend in Audio format.

I read NLHTP, HoH I/II; TOP; a little SuperSystem 2 and know i ordered The little green book of Phill Gordon.

I have to say I dont treat one book as a bible, but sometimes the books give you some little views in your opponents heads. You dont have to play for yeahrs to get that in formation - you can easily read a book and pull you own conclusions out of it.

You can only improve if you have perfect reads on your opponent and that is only learned by playing.

So I want to thank you for your answere, and keep learning every game...

[Lester B]

This was the first poker book I'd ever read. This was about four years ago, when I first started playing seriously, and I thought I knew way more than I did. I read it cover to cover, and I remember questioning in my mind a lot of the advice offered. Reskimming it just now before posting this, a lot of the info here would be poor advice to someone who already has a playing style, has had some success, etc.

For a beginner, though, I'd probably recommend it if nothing more than for the thought processes it invokes.

The good: The advice, if followed to the letter, would probably make a definite loser into a slight loser or break-even player in low level games against poor, unobservant, unaccomplished players. I found the Omaha and O8 sections particularly helpful given my inexperience at the time. The non-hold-em sections of the book are probably the most worthwhile.

The Bad: There are whole books dedicated to the subjects that Hellmuth tries to cover in a chapter or two. Therefore, much of the advice is sparcely explained and incomplete. The advice is basic and in my opinion, too rigid. Most 2+2 books require the reader to think a little bit about the concepts, this book does not.

In a nutshell, read it, but don't take the advice as gospel.

[ras52]

[ QUOTE ]
I found the Omaha and O8 sections particularly helpful given my inexperience at the time. The non-hold-em sections of the book are probably the most worthwhile.

[/ QUOTE ]
Which is ironic considering that Hellmuth is regarded as a Hold 'Em specialist - his detractors belittle his WSOP record by pointing out that all of his bracelets are for HE.

My experience of the book is similar to that of the previous posters. It was my first book, and I found the HE beginners' strategy helpful, the intermediate and advanced sections less so. But when I wanted to start out in the other games, I came back to the book and again found the beginners' sections on Omaha and Stud useful.

[sirlurkalot]

As Lester mentions, it is helpful for the purpose of giving very basic starter info to a total newbie. I've lent this book to slots players, etc. to convince them to try low stakes poker instead of paying off the house so much. Most of them can pretty quickly win a passive low stakes LHE games using Phil's basics.

[Baby Mantis]

Looking back I am glad this was the first book I read on poker, and I find it funny so many others had the same experience. It just happend to be the first one I came across in the book store. It was very helpful to me in the beginning, but now not so much. 2+2 books are way better, HOH series ranks at the top. Can't knock Phil for his poker knowledge, his etiquette at the table and away for that matter is another thing.

[Baby Mantis]

It was about 4 years ago that I read it as well btw