Really BAD Poker Books

[Whaevoz]

I see you read a lot of books about poker. How did it improve your game?

The essence of poker is making good decisions.

The key to making good decisions is knowledge and experience.

 

[QuentonS]

I agree on play poker like the pros by Phil Helmuth. It’s just very general advice...like always 4-bet with pocket tens. It’s just not very good. He’s a phenomenal player but that Book is trash. IMO.

 

[Whaevoz]

The Secrets to Winning Big in Tournament Poker by Ken Buntjer

The author has won a few tournaments, but this book contains no information as to what a successful tournament strategy should be, and only addresses limit hold ‘em. It starts by recommending tight play, but says nothing about how to proceed after that.

This is the book from which Phil Hellmuth stole the idea for “Animal Types” to represent the psychological make-up of different players. There are many omissions in this book: rebuys are never discussed, and the section on making deals simply advises you to make the best deal you can without saying what that should be or how to go about making it.

 

[Whaevoz]

How to Win at Stud Poker by James Wickstead
An old, outdated book on a game that is no longer popular, five-card stud; it contains practically no useful information.

 

[Whaevoz]

Poker: How to Win at the Great American Game by David A. Daniel
This book is mostly examples of the author making one incredibly ludicrous hand after another which makes you wonder if he plays much poker at all. :reddy:

 

[Polytarp]

Though dated here is a link to a book I have:
What No One Else Is Saying about Online-Poker

I emailed the author and received some good advice back in 2007. This link is only for instructive purposes to a book I believe you should at least be aware of. It has its flaws but it may prompt you to look further into this specific genre.

 

[Whaevoz]

Properties of Hold 'em Hands by Chip Johnson and Ray Tayek
This only book consists of a large number of tables showing the probability of every starting hand evolving to a finishing hand after all the cards have been dealt. Although the information is correct, the book is worthless in the sense that it doesn't help the reader form an accurate strategy for playing poker.

 

[notahead]

only poker book i ever read was super system best learning is psychological of poker that is hard part easy to understand opponents but you own worst enemy in poker is yourself i think super system was great at time way back pre black friday days but game is so ever changing that standard bets and sizing keep adapting books are as good as you make them as can take any 1 thing out of book it is a good read

 

[Whaevoz]

Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game by John Vorhaus
Many believe this to be the WORST poker book they have ever read. In fact, It does not contain a single sentence about poker strategy and instead consists of such obvious advice as:
"Concentrate when you're playing in a game."
"Don't play drunk."
"Pick a good user name."
"Don't play tired."
"Keep notes on your opponents."
“If you get bored then do something else while you play but don't get too distracted."
ad nauseam

Adding to all of this is Vorhaus’s persistent, annoying and corny attempts at humor. The most mystifying thing of all, however, is that a sequel to this book was actually published, proving that P.T. Barnum was correct.

 

[Pharaoh39]

This thread is not a bad idea. However it's opinion based. What one person might not think is a good read, others will.

Most of the books posted so far, I've never heard of them or the authors. So with that check their track record, vet them and see if they have tangible evidence that supports that they know what they are writing about.

 

[Pharaoh39]

Killer Poker Online: Crushing the Internet Game by John Vorhaus
Many believe this to be the WORST poker book they have ever read. In fact, It does not contain a single sentence about poker strategy and instead consists of such obvious advice as:
"Concentrate when you're playing in a game."
"Don't play drunk."
"Pick a good user name."
"Don't play tired."
"Keep notes on your opponents."
“If you get bored then do something else while you play but don't get too distracted."
ad nauseam

Adding to all of this is Vorhaus’s persistent, annoying and corny attempts at humor. The most mystifying thing of all, however, is that a sequel to this book was actually published, proving that P.T. Barnum was correct.

I read this book. It was NOT good. I did love Killer Poker and Tournament Kill Poker By The Numbers. (Neither were written by Vorhaus.)

 

[seven_outs]

Play Poker Like the Pros by Phil Hellmuth Jr.

was sooooo crushingly disappointing for me. This book def belongs to this list. He talks about „strategies“ for different pokergames (Pot limit/nlhe/etc) but really... i mean i do not even find words to describe how ....
This book did not help me at all and when i finished reading i littered said out loud like „thats it? wtf are you serious?“
i mean its about 15$ or so, you can gibe it a try but i wont recommend this to anyone

 

[seven_outs]

also „Authentic Poker by JJ Decenglie“

this one was for free for a few weeks on the apple bookstore. Well im happy that i did not pay any money for that one [emoji23]