Best NL Hold'em book for an intelligent novice?
So, I'm looking for a birthday gift for a poker buddy and have decided to get him a book. I thought it should be something that I could buy a copy of for myself, as well.
Here's the lowdown: we both got into no-limit hold'em around December of last year. We haven't gone far with it, however. I tend to think I've developed as a poker player more than he has, but I still have a lot to learn. I understand the importance of hand selection and position, and am also becoming a decent bluffer and bettor. But I'm only learning of odds and outs; and as the majority of the poker I play is online (and for play money), I know little of psychology.
So I suppose I'm after the basics, but also crave in-depth theory. I've been doing some browsing of my own, and also noticed a thread on the first page of this very forum. What do you think our first book should be? Super Systems II? Something by Sklansky?
Celebrity-factor is not an issue. In fact, I'd rather stay away from the loud mouths. But I'll read anything good. One thing: I don't want a book that focuses on limit poker-- we just don't play it. If you think I should pay limit some mind as a beginner, I'd consider it. But please don't recommend a book that only discusses limit hold'em.
Thanks so much!
Here's the lowdown: we both got into no-limit hold'em around December of last year. We haven't gone far with it, however. I tend to think I've developed as a poker player more than he has, but I still have a lot to learn. I understand the importance of hand selection and position, and am also becoming a decent bluffer and bettor. But I'm only learning of odds and outs; and as the majority of the poker I play is online (and for play money), I know little of psychology.
So I suppose I'm after the basics, but also crave in-depth theory. I've been doing some browsing of my own, and also noticed a thread on the first page of this very forum. What do you think our first book should be? Super Systems II? Something by Sklansky?
Celebrity-factor is not an issue. In fact, I'd rather stay away from the loud mouths. But I'll read anything good. One thing: I don't want a book that focuses on limit poker-- we just don't play it. If you think I should pay limit some mind as a beginner, I'd consider it. But please don't recommend a book that only discusses limit hold'em.
Thanks so much!
Comments
You might be limiting yourself by stating this, not to mention boxing yourself in to looking for set NL answers as opposed to learning how to think.
Small Stakes Hold'Em by Miller, Sklansky and Malmuth, for example, is a very good concept book for someone starting at low and micro stakes (which I suggest if you've been playing mostly play money games). It primarily discusses Limit, but there's stuff in there about calculating outs, playing draws and overcards and protecting your hand that are just as applicable in NL. You can read Theory of Poker or Harrington on Hold'em or Doyle's Super System books now and they're all great, but I really learned a ton about the loose tables you'll run into online from Small Stakes Hold'Em. The big games and small games really are different animals and if you focus primarily on learning the dynamics of small stakes until your game improves and you build a bankroll, I think it would be a more efficient way of learning.
Well, I'd like to think that I've done a decent job of learning the core game despite having jumped right into to NL, for the most part. But, I don't mean to say that I wish to ignore the wisdom most often learned in limit games-- a limit book would just make a crummy gift for my friend if there's not as much in it he can apply to our weekly micro micro stakes NL game.
I fully admit to being new and stupid (though I think I've done okay for myself). It's just that, every time I sit down at a limit play-money table, I don't know how to bluff or protect my hand because I have so little choice when it comes to bet size. In NL, I'm very much a 3-4xBB bettor who believes in trying to push opponents out of the hand (when it's wise for me to do so). When I play limit, I feel like I'm only playing the cards (rather than the people also). It's much more grindy, as opposed to in NL where I'd get right away from hands I have a small chance of winning, and really get paid off when I do land that strong hand.
Again, pretty much everything in that book is just as applicable to FL as NL. I don't ever play FL and found it invaluable because it is one of very few quality books that focus on small stakes and therefore the loose fishy games you'll run into on Stars or Party or in a lot of home games. The authors only use FL as a simpler way to exemplify the concepts. You'll understand what I mean if you check it out. Go to Chapters and flip through about 10 books you've heard of...that's the best way to determine the best book for your friend.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188068537X/qid=1151968585/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/104-6609427-8429519?s=books&v=glance&n=283155
Give him 1 and after he has read it - trade him for 2.
And what am I going to do while I'm waiting for him to finish? ;D It's a gift. And I don't want to give him a book that I can't comment on.
I may be cheap, but I'm not that cheap. ;P