Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players by Sklansky

SocietyRed

I'm reading this book right now and I was wondering what limits online would this book apply to. It says that its intended for medium limit hold em games ( 20/40 and 40/80) Would this apply to low limit online games like 2/4 and 3/6?

thanks


Red

TheYoshi

SocietyRed wrote:

I'm reading this book right now and I was wondering what limits online would this book apply to. It says that its intended for medium limit hold em games ( 20/40 and 40/80) Would this apply to low limit online games like 2/4 and 3/6?

thanks


Red

I read the book. Most of the stuff applies although with lower limits, it's very hard to bluff anyone. So all the advanced moves they talk about, well basically just stick to the basics and you should be fine. Reading the book will definitely help you in becoming a great limit player. It has helped me become into a consistent winning full ring and short handed player and you'll learn a lot by reading it.

There is another Sklansky book called "Small Stakes Hold'em" that could be more useful to you at the limits are you playing. I would also strongly recommend reading "Winning Low-Limit Hold'em" by Lee Jones.

Jay845

I think you need to be careful about classifying books as specfic to certain levels. Your are further ahead to determine the complexion of the game you are playing. For example, I have seen both low limit and high limit tables which play tight and aggressive, ones which contain tons of family pots, ones which contain both savvy and stupid players.

Too many times I feel people get caught up in thinking high limit poker plays much different than low limit poker and we need to play differently in order to succeed. Many times it does, but not always. There are players that are true beginners but have access to large amounts of money, and need to play at a certain level to have it mean something to them ( I believe that Dave Scharf has discussed this before somewhere). Yes they are playing higher limits, but they could be making the same mistakes as your typical beginner micro limit player.

alekat47

alot of these books are good but seem to refer to limit holdem and not n/l holdem

I have read the poker players bible and "killer poker" and that is what i have found. All the info in them is still very good and can be applied to any style or limit.

Jay845

In terms of NL ring games, there isn't much in terms of books that focus on these games. Currently Harrington on Hold em Volume 1 is likely the most applicable to NL cash games. I have mentioned in a previous post that Sklansky and Ed Miller are working on a NL book which focuses on ring games. I can't wait until it's release.

Jay

BBC Z

I have mentioned in a previous post that Sklansky and Ed Miller are working on a NL book which focuses on ring games. I can't wait until it's release.

I think this speaks a lot for the state of poker. Rather than doing the due dilligance of learning to play, everyone waits around for a 2+2 book to spoonfeed information. This is why poker will always remain profitable.

Unknown

NL cash games are slowly taking over the casino poker world.  In Windsor they had only a couple of 3/6 and 10/20 LHE games going, but they had many many many NL games, with various buy-in amounts.  It is pretty much all NLHE for cash games in Windsor.  Point Edward doesn't have the license for NLHE cash games yet, but they are working on it.  I imagine that when they get it, NLHE will become the game of choice there as well.

The times, they are a changin'.

HPFAP is a great book.  Well worth the read.

Jay845

I think this speaks a lot for the state of poker. Rather than doing the due dilligance of learning to play, everyone waits around for a 2+2 book to spoonfeed information. This is why poker will always remain profitable.

I agree that poker will remain profitable.  However, I disagree that people trying to improve their knowledge of poker by reading and understanding reputable sources of information is the reason it will be.  Having said that, without a doubt "learning to play" is  an intergral  part in furthering your poker education.

Jay

BBC Z

However, I disagree that people trying to improve their knowledge of poker by reading and understanding reputable sources of information is the reason it will be. Having said that, without a doubt "learning to play" is an intergral part in furthering your poker education.

If you think down the very longterm road, these books will become part of every players base line knowledge. It'll be the people who go outside the box that continue to win.

SocietyRed

I'm not trying to become a pro here. I want to be a winning player over the long term and these books will hopefully get me there faster then by simply playing lots. I play poker an average of 20 hours a week now. To this point I've played to have fun and have been a break even player for over a year . I'm ready to take my game further and I bought several books to help me including: Dan H. on Hold em' Expert strat for NL Tourny Vol 1 & 2, The Theory of poker by Sklansky, Holdem for Advanced players. I also own Super System 1 and 2 and Dave Scharfs book as well.

westside8

Books are definitely a good way to help you improve your game, but you cannot just "go by the book". While books will help your game, you must understand the concepts, and apply it to your own game. You cannot simply read the book, and go by what you've read. Some books will have concepts which will hurt your game, while some will be beneficial to your game, it is the players that continue improving and applying the book concepts in their own way that will remain the winners. Books are certainly good start, but it is only the mean to an end, you cannot just stop at just reading books and rely on reading to improve.

Just my 2 cents.

alekat47

there is nothing wrong with studying, read different authors and put together your own game from what they have to say.
What works for one doesnt work for all

LuckyPaul

shuffle up and deal by mike sexton and online poker by doyle are both good books too, I find that any book on poker is helpful to your game.

Metro

Like any academic endeavour theory is important, however, to truly understand a concept pratical experience is a necessity.

That is why some books, not just poker, are universal - they transcend time and space because they continue to teach us lessons.

The reason Shakespeare, Huxley, Machiavelli etc... will continue to be the most influential authors is because of their universal appeal. Regardless of time, language, etc.. These authors inherently expand the audience's mind and each life experience we have allows us to better appreciate such lessons. Life experiences are essential to truly appreciating great books, music, art etc... Generally, people who lack "rich" life experiences have difficulty appreciating these works - because they are unable to connect with the author in the manner intended.

The same dichotomy exists in poker literature. I would challenge any player to read Super System or Harrington and not be able to appreciate their lessons. However, these books do not appeal, in the same way, to those who are not "rich" in poker experience. I could read each book after every session and have learned something new - as I am sure we all could. However, these books only maintain value if we augment their theorietical lessons with practical application.

I think we can all agree that their is a major difference between a book like the "Poker Directory" and "Harringotn" - the first provides a baseline for play - the "rules of the game" - The second, forces us to challenge the "rules of the game".

Great poker books do not keep players "Thinking inside the box," rather, they force us to challenge ourselves, and the game, to break conventional wisdom.

I hope to one day be one of these players:) Because I quickly recognize thoe who already are at my table.

Jay845

If you think down the very longterm road, these books will become part of every players base line knowledge. It'll be the people who go outside the box that continue to win.

That is making the assumption that every player who reads a poker book  is actually able to understand the concepts and then able to implement them consistently in their play.  Poker is full of "crying calls" by players who know they are beat, yet still make that call on the river in a small pot costing them a bet.   

You do make a good point in terms of thinking outside of the box.  I think it is important to mix up your play or stray from the mainstream at tables with the right player mix, but I feel you still need to have good fundamental poker skills in order to be successful.  To me, solid fundamentals does not mean preflop charts or rote strategies when drawing to flushes and straights.  I feel solid fundamentals implies knowing how to maximize your profits given the current table environment that you are in. 

If nothing else, by reading these books at least we learn what is considered conventional wisdom and it will provide us insight to a particular players game who is unable to think or play outside of the box.

Jay

Metro

Supplimental:

I agree completely. Sometimes going back and reading the basics is a huge help.

All the advanced books are based on the common understanding of hand requirements and position.

I think one of the biggest disadvantages we face after reading a new book or article is that we become excited to try out some newly learned skills - even if the opportunity or situation isnt well suited (no pun intended).

Jay845

TNORTH wrote:

Supplimental:

I think one of the biggest disadvantages we face after reading a new book or article is that we become excited to try out some newly learned skills - even if the opportunity or situation isnt well suited (no pun intended).

This is just my point. They have read about a new skill or concept, but don't fully understand the theoritical underpinnings of it. I feel this understanding comes with continued study and playing time, followed by analyzing your play. I think hand histories/posting is an effective tool for this.

Oh yeah, to the OP, like All Aces said HEFAP is a great book an is well worth reading.

Jay