Are poker books relevent.

steveiam · Jun 10, 2013

I just wondered if poker books still serve a purpose. With the way the modern game is going are they still relevant or are they out of date.There is so much info on the internet with sites like this and many others for players to get strategy's which are about current playing styles. I think this is more relevant than buying a book that was written 5 years ago. Just my opinion.

curly · Jun 10, 2013

I think with poker books, you have to be careful with choosing one. You need to decide if it pertains to live poker or internet poker as strategies for each type will be very different. A player like myself can get more help here then probably any book I can read simply because almost every member here plays way more hands of poker in a week then I do, so the things that I have gone through at the table most likely have already been experienced by someone else here.

I have not read anything recent, but I would think that anything older then 3 years old would be out the window by now especially if your talking about internet poker.

MasterOfDisaster · Jun 10, 2013

steveiam said:
I just wondered if poker books still serve a purpose. With the way the modern game is going are they still relevant or are they out of date.There is so much info on the internet with sites like this and many others for players to get strategy's which are about current playing styles. I think this is more relevant than buying a book that was written 5 years ago. Just my opinion.

+1

beerobrian · Jun 10, 2013

I think curly summed up my response perfectly. I firmly believe that you will get the best quality info here or by experience of playing thousands of hands. I will read a different type of stategy somewhere and then apply only that style for a couple hundred hands just to get a feel. My point is that the internet is King. No need to buy a book.

spsb83 · Jun 10, 2013

I agree that strategy books go out of date quite quickly and are often aimed at higher limits. I personally go for the autobiography type poker books at least there entertaining.

But what about books like the poker mindset which I have just downloaded (not read it yet) not a strategy book in the sense play this hand this way but more the psychological side of poker. Do people find these books helpful and relevant.

dj11 · Jun 10, 2013

The more input you give yourself on any subject, the better you will be able to react to the challenges involved with that subject.

Trust me, books are not going 'out of style'.

Boocha · Jun 10, 2013

I agree with spsb83's point. The more autobiographic books are the most useful to me. The books that help you handle your bankroll, game dynamics and psychology of the game. That said, for beginners, there are some good books to help with fundamental poker out there.

OzExorcist · Jun 10, 2013

Depends on which book and what you're using it for.

Particularly for beginners I think there's definitely a place for books, because they allow you to absorb a heap of basic information in a short period of time, without the judgement and trolling that comes from trying to get the same information by asking a hundred different questions on an internet forum.

That said, it's also true that a lot of books are pretty out of touch with the way the modern game is played. Woe betide anyone who reads the NHLE chapter of Super System and then tries to apply it to a $25NL game, for example.

But the right book, in the right situation? Sure, it's still got its place.

glenn6971 · Jun 10, 2013

I think books give you the life experience and knowledge of a poker player, but I think you need to read multiple books from different authors to get a wide range of styles. But IMO playing will help with the knowledge you get from books.

barracuuuda · Jun 10, 2013

Theyre somewhat useful... depends if their helping you to play live tournaments or online theres a major difference between them both.

comebackay1206 · Jun 10, 2013

I have mixed feelings about most poker books I've picked up. Quite honestly, I think it's a matter of personal style and preference--how does yours match up with the author? For a no b.s. approach, I found the most entertaining and insightful poker book I've ever read is Gus Hansen's "Every Hand Revealed," a personal recount of his first place win at the Aussie Millions. The layout is phenomenal, and his method of breaking down in sequential order hand by hand and how they scaffold each other is really something else.

Propane Goat · Jun 11, 2013

I think books are helpful with the different strategies and possibilities, for example if somebody is pulling a stop and go move on you, at least you will be able to recognize what is going on. However, I believe that the true learning comes when you are able identify a situation that repeatedly costs you chips, then go to the books to figure out what is happening and what your leak is. Just reading the books might give you a vaguely general sense, but unless you play thousands and thousands of hands and get the experience the lessons won't stick.

fletchdad · Jun 11, 2013

It depends on your approach IMO.

You certainly have to be specific with your choice, since many books are about stylistic play and you must be comfortable adopting someone else's comfort zone, so to speak.

But some things are universal, like outs and odds. And many better books are also more about getting a player to think about why he wants to do something, and this is great. You should use forums such as this one to keep up with the present dynamics, and think of books as a cafeteria. There is a lot offered, and its up to you to sort through what is good and what not.

In any case, if a book gets you thinking about specifics, and makes you question whether or not you made a correct play, and that prompts you to posting hands and discussing what your thought process was etc., then the book is more than worth the price and time spent reading.

jcla6985 · Jun 11, 2013

I have not tried it personally, but I have been meaning too. Couldnt hurt, right?

uarejelly · Jun 12, 2013

whats a good poker autobiography looking more for some leisure reading about the lifestyle then just strategy

Poker Orifice · Jun 12, 2013

steveiam said:
I just wondered if poker books still serve a purpose. With the way the modern game is going are they still relevant or are they out of date.There is so much info on the internet with sites like this and many others for players to get strategy's which are about current playing styles. I think this is more relevant than buying a book that was written 5 years ago. Just my opinion.

The 'out-of-date' ones are a bit out of date (but many still will provide a solid foundation from which to work from).

More modern/current ones, are.... guess what... current! = good!

Poker Orifice · Jun 12, 2013

uarejelly said:
whats a good poker autobiography looking more for some leisure reading about the lifestyle then just strategy

Maybe try Mike Matusow's book "Check-Raising the Devil" (especially seein' as you're a big fan of his)

deedbr · Jun 12, 2013

Depends on the individual (the reader) and the book. We all learn differently. Some people learn from videos. Others might need a coach that can discuss concepts with them. I personally enjoy books that vary from my normal style of play. If the book is written well and the concepts gets me thinking that's what I enjoy.

steveiam · Jun 14, 2013

I still feel that any info you can get from a book can be obtained online and you will find it easier to find info that will match your chosen style of play.

fletchdad · Jun 14, 2013

If you dont think they are relevant in the first place, why start this thread?

steveiam · Jun 14, 2013

fletchdad said:
If you dont think they are relevant in the first place, why start this thread?

It was to find out what everybody else thought. I thought that was obvious from the original question. But you must have missed the point.

fletchdad · Jun 14, 2013

steveiam said:
It was to find out what everybody else thought. I thought that was obvious from the original question. But you must have missed the point.

I re read the op, and, I did miss that.

You, however, stay true to form.

steveiam · Jun 14, 2013

fletchdad said:
I re read the op, and, I did miss that.

You, however, stay true to form.

And you dont change either !!

0MikeMartinS · Jun 14, 2013

For me best way to learn poker its playing it. Nothing beats experience and "hands" played. Books can help, but the rest must be on you.

See you on poker tables!

Arjonius · Jun 14, 2013

If you're a beginner, a break-even micro-stakes player or even a small winner, there's a ton you can learn from books. The game has changed more at higher levels, so a lot of what was in any decent book written a few years ago is still relevant. Indeed, a lot of the high-level thinking and plays that were new then are still far from common at low levels.

Are poker books relevent.

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