Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 16-20 of 75
 Nothing Very Insightful or Helpful, Except Section by Caro October 3, 2007
Kevin O'Mahoney (Cambridge, MA United States)
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Nearly universally hailed as the greatest poker player of all time, Brunson is the master of self-promotion. And this book is very much about self-promotion. Because it's referred to as the Bible of Poker, I've read and re-read Brunson's chapter on No Limit Texas Hold'em trying to unearth something valuable that I missed in my earlier reads. There's little hand analysis and little advice that's worthwhile, just general advice that won't equip you for cash or tournament play. For example, Brunson claims that with pocket Aces you either win a little money or lose a lot of money. He also says he intimidates players by his willingness to "go all in." Just what you're to do with the aces in particular situations or when you should be willing to shove all your chips into the middle he leaves unexplained. He provides little valuable guidance to beginners and no guidance whatsoever to experienced players.
In contrast, Dan Harrington's three volume set on No Limit Hold'em is a masterpiece. Chapter after chapter, Harrington teaches the reader how to really evaluate a hand, based on position, the competition, the stacks, the raises, the checks, and the pot odds, as well as how to put another player on a hand. With a mix of created and actual play, with descriptions of the players' styles, the portion of the tournament, and "your" own play, Harrington dissects the ensuing action. I'm already a much better player for having read Harrington's books.
Caro's chapter on tells (in Brunson's book) and poker philosophy is great, full of sound practical advice. Since I only play No Limit, it's the only chapter I found worth reading. However, you would be better off buying Caro's "Book of Poker Tells," than wasting money on Brunson's overrated "Bible."
 Not as Detailed as I Expected (review for NL and Limit Hold'em sections) October 1, 2007
Mr. Leverage (St. Petersburg, FL)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
This book has good information for a newbie, but I've been playing poker for 4 years and it really didn't provide me with any new or insightful strategies. This was the first poker book I have ever read, so I don't have much to compare it to, but I thought it would go into specific details such as hand analysis, timing, bet amounts and so forth...but the details are not there...he may say, "I'll put in a big bet or overbet," but that's about it. Mike Caro's section on "tells", however, is decently insightful. Since I mostly play online, I'll look forward to applying this info next time I go to the casino. But overall, if you're already relatively versed in poker strategy, this book will do you little good.
 poker made easy? August 17, 2007
Robert Root
0 out of 7 found this review helpful
Now this is the "new testiment" of the poker books. Doyle is a very smart man and knows who to talk to about playing poker. This book is NOT for beginners. Well, worth the time spent reading (well we will see if it pays off).
Remember the Most Important Things! June 3, 2007
PS2 Bruce (Torrance, CA USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
Super System 2 is a very good poker book, of course everyone knows about the legendary original--at first and "underground" publication that was very hard to get. I got hooked on poker about 2 years ago (I don't play live that much due to my budget) but it is a fascinating, addictive game, and my best thing about playing for real, is you aren't playing the casino, you're playing the other players, therefore your chances overall of making some money are much better (well depending on the other players, of course)
Anyway I agree with many, in that I was sort of disappointed that the book was not more in depth on hold em; I don't play the other games, and I don't play limit. I am interested in low stakes, no limit, hold em. Mike Caro's chapter probably meant the most to me as its advise is good across the board. I would recommend this book to someone who is intermediate and interested in learning a bit about the other games, but it s NOT for a beginner and quite frankly I don't see it as that good of a "strategy" book, because most players in the casinos are not playing for the stakes that the authors are. Which leads me to my advice--remember these VERY IMPORTANT points:
1. This (these) books are NOT FOR BEGINNERS. It (they) assume you know something about the game(s) and are looking for an (edge)
2. You can't learn poker from a book. The most important thing to remember about playing live is, every player, therefore table, will be different. In most casinos you will be playing strangers and will have no idea how good (or bad) they are. All those pages about what hands not even to call to the flop won't mean anything if you are at a table full of weak timid players. And as we know a hand that wouldn't be so good with 8 players and small blinds, becomes more urgent and favorable to play, say late in a sit and go you hsve been tight and are short stack, when there's 3 players left, the blinds take 10% of your stack and you've seen 2 of the 3 players left are weak. Or, if you have chip lead and can afford to cover everyone's crazy calls, you would follow that path. That's just basics you can learn at a home game, you shouldn't need a 50 dollar book.
3. Proably most important; a lot of folks seem to be missing this: The no limit hold em chapters in these books are NOT talking about no limit hold em. THEY COVER HIGH STAKES NO LIMIT HOLD EM. When you see these programs on TV like World Poker Tour, Poker After Dark, etc; these events (usually) have buy ins of $10-$30,000! Most people (I know myself) for sure) will never be playing for those stakes. So I can tell you, if you take your $100 buy in and go to the Bicycle Club, and try to play like Doyle plays high stakes, you won't be sitting at that table long. But if you take the general advice, adapt to the other players, and play carefully, you can win a few dollars (even I've done it).
 Best all inclusive book on poker May 13, 2007
C. Davis (Union, MI)
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
This book should be in every poker player's library. No other book covers so many forms of poker in such depth.
Showing reviews 16-20 of 75
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