HPFAP

ScoobyDScoobyD
in General Poker Chat
At the risk of starting a book discussion thread, I'd like some opinions on this.

I'm considering it for my next limit HE book (I have WLLHE by Jones and SSHE by Miller/Sklansky).

Just wondered what the major additions would be over the more beginner books. Focus on stealing/defending?

I'd assume this is more applicable to tighter games (I'm guessing 5-10 and up online and maybe 10-20 and up live)?

Thoughts appreciated...

Comments

  • Hork42Hork42
    Higher  - 30/60 and up...

    Yes, there are a lot of moves/tricks to try assuming you're up against good opponents and usually in a tight game -  The type of game where your unimproved AK is going to win most of the time.   A lot of these moves will not work in a loose game or against opponents who just don't think at a high enough poker level to "get it".    It's still worth a read even if you only play small stakes, mostly due to nostalgic value, this has become one of the classics.   There are sections on loose/wild games and shorthanded play, but SSHE is more finely tuned to playing in those games, and more up-to-date to relect today's poker world.  Just use discretion when trying to apply some of the concepts in HPFAP to the 3/6 five-to-every-flop game.

    Oh, and SSHE is not a beginner's book. Didn't you read the introduction? ;)
  • GTA PokerGTA Poker
    I'd read Middle Limit Holdem Poker by Ciaffone and Brier. It's a very good book.

    I think you have to remember when reading any of these books that when they were published mid limit games were tougher. Now you can easily find 20 40 games that play like 4 8 games, which is a great thing. But, many mid limit games are beatable by playing ABC poker these days.

    Also, I think Gary Carson's Hold'em Poker offers some unique perspectives on playing drawing hands for value. Overall, it's not that different from many other books on low limits, but it is a worthwhile read.

    Never read Play Poker Like The Pros. Never. Ever. Never.
  • AcidJoeAcidJoe
    I've read Play poker like the Pros. Not that you will from reading that book, BUT Master buthole Phil does a good job of explaining the rules of each game he covers. I had my g/f read it to learn the rules and how to play. Now after that she had to really LEARN to play but to get an understanding of stud, hold em or omaha I think it is fine. You certainly won't go and win a WSOP from reading that book. If nothing else he advocates playing tight and trying to make money. A good concept.
  • GTA PokerGTA Poker
    noooooooooooooo...don't ever say anything positive about that book

    well, it makes a nice coaster
  • ScoobyDScoobyD
    noooooooooooooo...don't ever say anything positive about that book

    I think people like to bash the book just because it's written by Hellmuth.  If it was written by some Dave S. (Slippy, Slappy, Swanson...SAMSONITE, man I was WAYYY off!) you guys would be gushing about how awesome it was. (j/k Dave :) )

    Sure it's not brilliant, and most of the book rambles on about how Phil managed to make some brilliant play playing Doyle/Johnny/Daniel/Phil I./Layne/Ted etc. to win a huge tournament (or some brutal beat cost him the tournament), but I'd say for the UBER-beginner, it at least preaches tight play, and tries to get the player characterizing their opponents in terms of Loose/tight, passive/aggressive.  Add the fact that it gives a rough intro to the setup for stud, omaha, and omaha8 and some rough starting hand guides for those, and it's not a complete waste for a beginner.  That being said, I would expect 90% of the people in this forum to probably get maybe 5% at best out of the book in general.  And there are obviously way better books for an aspiring beginning limit HE player to read (WLLHE and SSHE for example).

    FWIW, I started flipping through this the other day (out of boredom), and 2 or 3 pages in I nearly vomitted... :)
  • ScottyZScottyZ
    I think people like to bash the book just because it's written by Hellmuth.

    Personally, I bash the book because it is complete garbage. I have over 30 poker strategy books, and this is the only one I regret having bought.
    Add the fact that it gives a rough intro to the setup for stud, omaha, and omaha8 and some rough starting hand guides for those, and it's not a complete waste for a beginner.

    Actually, beginning poker players would be the absolute worst audience for this book. There is far too much incorrect advice on how to play low-limit holdem (the game of choice for nearly all beginners). This book will hurt rather than help a novice poker player.

    Back to the original post, if you have read only WLLHE and SSHE so far, I'd recommend Theory of Poker next. Specific to LHE, both MLH and HPFAP that have been mentioned already are good choices.

    ScottyZ
  • GTA PokerGTA Poker
    I could care less who wrote the book, it is trash. Do not buy, warning, warning, do not buy.

    I have one for sale if anyone is interested.
  • ScoobyDScoobyD
    I have over 30 poker strategy books, and this is the only one I regret having bought.

    Damn, that's a library. Well I guess I stand corrected then. I'd agree it's the worst of the ones I own as well (WLLHE, SSHE, Super System, Harrington 1 and 2, and TOP, and an Omaha book by Cloutier and McAvoy) , but I guess I'd have figured with Chapters cashing in on the poker craze that it wouldn't be the absolute worst of the lot. Some of the advice I agree is pretty horrid (raising small pairs, and raising "for information" are the 2 big ones I recall vividly).

    Thx for the suggestions guys.
Sign In or Register to comment.
HomeDiscussionsToggle Dark Mode