I am slowly reading it now (just got it for Christmas). I'll let you know what I think of it when I'm done; it's too early to judge.
One thing worth mentioning is that these poker writers should start reading each other's books for continuity. In TJ's book, he says that you shouldn't vary the size of your bets regardless of the strength of your hand/whether or not you're bluffing/etc... I firmly believe in this concept. Then, I was reading a story in Hellmuth's new book (please leave me alone about this; I'm guilty, yes I am) about a couple of hands he'd played against TJ where he'd picked up tells based on the size of TJ's bets. Apparently, he was varying them in such a way as to give an observant opponent a way to put him on a range of hands.
Not really relevant to your question, CO, but I thought it was interesting. These guys gotta keep their stories/advice/etc... consistent, especially now that is seems like every single professional poker player is writing or releasing a book.
I have read this book (personally I think his Omaha Book is better). I haven't read it in about 6 months now so I might be wrong on a few detail below (having read about 15 poker books now they all have started to blend a bit), so feel free to correct me (this means everyone) if I get a few of the details wrong.
I think it was a great book when I was just starting out, and really needed to work on my PL/NL game. However the basic information is just that very basic. It did help me close some holes in my game, and whenever I am having a bad run, I basically go back to that style of play (it has become one of my back to basics books). One of the best things I got out of it was the "Don't Vary the size of your bet" way of playing. It does make sense when you think about it, also the book basically pushes the whole, if you are going to limp/call you might as well raise sytle of play. It also has (if you like those kind of poker books) some neat TJ stories that sometime have nothing to do with what he is talking about in the chapter you are reading. Also it has a few Tom does this/I do this style of examples for practice hands. I love his section on the walking back to Texas hand (AQ). Also his whole opinion on Pocket Pairs really helped me improve my pre-flop/post flop play of them.
All in all I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.
The one I am really waiting for is Dan Harringtons (sp?) book. Talk about 1 consistent tournament player.
I haven't read a book in ages. Do you think its still good to read? I think hand history and hand examples are far better help, which a forum attributes to more.
Comments
One thing worth mentioning is that these poker writers should start reading each other's books for continuity. In TJ's book, he says that you shouldn't vary the size of your bets regardless of the strength of your hand/whether or not you're bluffing/etc... I firmly believe in this concept. Then, I was reading a story in Hellmuth's new book (please leave me alone about this; I'm guilty, yes I am) about a couple of hands he'd played against TJ where he'd picked up tells based on the size of TJ's bets. Apparently, he was varying them in such a way as to give an observant opponent a way to put him on a range of hands.
Not really relevant to your question, CO, but I thought it was interesting. These guys gotta keep their stories/advice/etc... consistent, especially now that is seems like every single professional poker player is writing or releasing a book.
Regards,
all_aces
I think it was a great book when I was just starting out, and really needed to work on my PL/NL game. However the basic information is just that very basic. It did help me close some holes in my game, and whenever I am having a bad run, I basically go back to that style of play (it has become one of my back to basics books). One of the best things I got out of it was the "Don't Vary the size of your bet" way of playing. It does make sense when you think about it, also the book basically pushes the whole, if you are going to limp/call you might as well raise sytle of play. It also has (if you like those kind of poker books) some neat TJ stories that sometime have nothing to do with what he is talking about in the chapter you are reading. Also it has a few Tom does this/I do this style of examples for practice hands. I love his section on the walking back to Texas hand (AQ). Also his whole opinion on Pocket Pairs really helped me improve my pre-flop/post flop play of them.
All in all I would give this book a 3.5 out of 5.
The one I am really waiting for is Dan Harringtons (sp?) book. Talk about 1 consistent tournament player.
regards,
CO