Book Description
For today's poker players, Texas hold 'em is the game. Every day, tens of thousands of small stakes hold 'em games are played all over the world in homes, card rooms, and on the Internet. These games can be very profitable — if you play well. But most people don't play well and end up leaving their money on the table.
Small Stakes Hold 'em: Winning Big with Expert Play explains everything you need to be a big winner. Unlike many other books about small stakes games, it teaches the aggressive and attacking style used by all professional players. However, it does not simply tell you to play aggressively; it shows you exactly how to make expert decisions through numerous clear and detailed examples.
Small Stakes Hold 'em teaches you to think like a professional player. Topics include implied odds, pot equity, speculative hands, position, the importance of being suited, hand categories, counting outs, evaluating the flop, large pots versus small pots, protecting your hand, betting for value on the river, and playing overcards. In addition, after you learn the winning concepts, test your skills with over fifty hand quizzes that present you with common and critical hold 'em decisions. Choose your action, then compare it to the authors' play and reasoning.
This text presents cutting-edge ideas in straightforward language. It is the most thorough and accurate discussion of small stakes hold 'em available. Your opponents will read this book; make sure you do, too!
Customer Reviews:
this is a beginner's book.......2007-08-01
See Wookborm's review for a more complete discussion of what is wrong here. I don't mind beginner's books, but they should be marketed as such. I think you'll be hard pressed to find anything new in this book, if you have spent any time reading up on no-limit on any of the popular online forums. Mastery of the material in this book does not look sufficient to beat the 25 cent big blind game online. I could only recommend it if you have no other no-limit book at all; but then, why not buy Harrington volume 1 or something else? This book is superfluous. I felt ripped off.
Book needs more practice and less theory.......2007-05-31
This book gets a three star rating because it does some things very well whilst omitting some critical details. The first portion of the book talks about bet sizing. It gives some very practical advice about how much to bet to encourage your opponents to make mistakes, how much to bet when bluffing, how to size your "blocking bets", how much to bet preflop and so forth. This section is excellent.
Some of the other topics are covered in a rather haphazard manner. In the check raising chapter, he covers the very specific case of check raising heads up on the river. For other situations, the book says "Only expert players recognize the best opportunities for the play...A book really can't do the subject justice". Sometimes the calculations are based on figures that in real life are simply prohibitively difficult to obtain. One example begins "So if you have one chance in three of stacking your opponent if you catch a straight...". How exactly one deduces the probability of stacking an opponent when you river your straight is never quite explained, perhaps because it falls into the "A book can't really do the subject justice" category. The second section of the book is titled "Concepts and Weapons" and it does provide useful and practical tips that should improve anyone's game.
The main shortcomings of the book revolve around the topics it doesn't cover. The book does not mention concepts such as pot equity and hand ranges, two ingredients that I believe are critical to today's game. Sure it's important to know how to price your opponent out of a flush draw if you're sure that is his exact holding. However, real life scenarios are rarely that simple. What happens if there is a flush draw on the board and an opponent bets into you and you suspect he's holding a flush draw half the time but will be holding top pair top kicker the other half of the time? This book does not provide the tools for dealing with this type of problem and others like it that no limit players face repeatedly on a daily basis.
To wrap up my review I will use a medieval analogy. If you're already well equipped to deal with the battle that is no limit hold em, this book will certain give you some extra weapons and patch up some holes in your defence. However, if you're looking for your sword, shield, helmet and body armour I would recommend starting with other resources.
Good theory poker book.......2007-05-13
A very good book on poker. Be prepared to learn!
Great Read for Serious Players Only.......2007-05-02
Read this book only if you are serious about improving your game. Sklansky did a good job in capturing into words the intuitive nuances that I have come to recognize after so many hands of playings, and take them even further to horizons I have yet to explore (and can't wait to try). It is not a book for beginner and you are expected to be somewhat a good player already to even start reading this. A "fish" would most certainly get lost within a few pages. A lot of the math in the book is probably not going to be too applicable while you're at the table, but rather just as his way of showing that the decisions are mathematically correct. There is a list of tips at the end of the book that sums up everything quite nicely. To me, the Sklansky-Chubukov rating is unheard of before and it will take me a while to digest its significance and importance in improving my play.
pick one up.......2007-04-14
i've bought plenty of poker books and by far this is my favorite one. Beginners can read it and develope their game, while intermediate to advance players can learn these concepts and apply them to their game. If you read this book over and over and fully realize the concepts and the insight sklansky has on no limit play, you should be able to sit down at a poker table whether it be at the casino or at home game and become a confident solid player.
Book Description
Texas Hold 'em is not an easy game to play well. To become an expert you must balance many concepts, some of which occasionally contradict each other. In 1988, the first edition appeared. Many ideas, which were only known to a small, select group of players, were made available to anyone who was striving to become an expert, and the hold 'em explosion had begun. It is now a new century, and the authors have again moved the state of the art forward by adding over 100 pages of new material, including extensive sections on "loose games," and "short-handed games." Anyone who studies this text, is well disciplined, and gets the proper experience should become a significant winner. Some of the other ideas discussed include play on the first two cards, semi-bluffing, the free card, inducing bluffs, staying with a draw, playing when a pair flops, playing trash hands, desperation bets, playing in wild games, reading hands, and psychology.
Customer Reviews:
You'll get a big edge.......2007-09-29
I really am not a fan of the reviews, but I feel that I have the obligation to recommend this book because if you read it, you will understand better the others players' game, and the best of it you'll get a big edge over them.
Excellent.......2007-08-23
I was constantly breaking even before getting this book on online poker sites. After reading it, I took nearly all of the guesswork out of my playstyle and recently just bought a new guitar entirely with winnings.
I recommend this book to anyone who already considers themselves decent at poker and already has good intuition as to spotting how others play to determine what they have... or don't have. This book will not probably help you with those things. This book is best for those who are already good at poker but either have their game strategy wrong or off a little.
The best part of this book is it makes it much more easy to spot poor play from other people at your table and thus allows you to profit hugely from that.
Overrated .......2007-08-14
Sure, there are tips in the book - but there isn't any supporting...anything. You are expected to just take things on face value. Also, it is TERRIBLY written. I think I read the word "finally" 4 times in a chapter. It's terribly nonsensical at many times. It needs a complete re-write and edit.
The thoughts are chaotic and presented sloppily. It takes 3 reads to understand paragraphs most of the time...
TERRIBLE READ.
LIMIT HOLD EM ONLY!!!.......2007-06-02
Buy this book only if you play fixed-limit hold em, not the pot limit and no limit games that most people play, all the strategy in this book relates to fixed limit and DOES NOT carry over to no limit. I don't remember this being mentioned on the sleeve, and it would be easy for a NL player to add this to their library only to read it and find out too late that it does not apply to NL.
Just so you know!!!
Perfecting your game.......2007-05-21
This is a great book by the original expert in Texas Holdem, David Sklansky. After learning the basics this book is great for teaching the finer details and less obvious nuances of the game. It's a must for anyone who's serious about learning Texas Holdem.
Book Description
The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky discusses theories and concepts applicable to nearly every variation of the game, including five-card draw (high), seven-card stud, hold 'em, lowball draw, and razz (seven-card lowball stud). This book introduces you to the Fundamental Theorem of Poker, its implications, and how it should affect your play. Other chapters discuss the value of deception, bluffing, raising, the slow-play, the value of position, psychology, heads-up play, game theory, implied odds, the free card, and semibluffing.
Many of today's top poker players will tell you that this is the book that really made a difference in their play. That is, these are the ideas that separate the experts from the typical players. Those who read and study this book will literally leave behind those who don't, and most serious players wear the covers off their copies. This is the best book ever written on poker.
Customer Reviews:
Required poker foundation .......2007-08-07
Sklansky's Theory of Poker is no longer the newest book on advanced poker thought, but it remains required reading for both the average and the more experienced player. While some of the specific hand-analysis and tactical advice has been updated or superceded by more recent and also excellent books by the likes of Harrington or Gordon, the basic concepts do not change, and Sklansky is an insightful analyst, as well as an excellent teacher. The attentive reader will find his time and thought well rewarded.
According to Sklansky's Theory of Poker, the game is one of mistakes - the point is to induce mistakes in your opponents' play while avoiding mistakes in play yourself. The basic nature of poker, in any of its forms, implies that you have imperfect and limited knowledge of the value of the hands your opponents hold, and they have limited knowledge of yours; it is because of this limited knowledge that mistakes can take place.
Mistakes and errors are simple to define. If you had perfect knowledge of all hands, you would play your own hand in a certain, mathematically correct way. To the extent you play your hand differently, due to lack of knowledge or deception or whatever, you have made a mistake. Sklansky teaches various ways of inducing those mistakes in others, and also how to correctly analyze your own hand and options for play.
Sklansky draws on multiple forms of poker for examples; not just Hold 'Em, but also 7 Stud, 5-card Draw, Razz, etc. For the player only familiar with Hold Em this may be a little confusing at first. The book is meant as a theoretical examination of principles built into all poker games, and is not really a how-to-play for Hold Em or any other form of poker.
Sklansky's writing is dense in the sense that he does not beat around the bush or waste time or fill his book with fluff. The book is not light reading, and probably should not be your first book if you are not thoroughly familiar with the play as well as the language and jargon of the game. It cannot be skimmed. But there isn't a player out there who would not benefit from a careful reading, and would not benefit more from re-reading again six months later, this book.
Granddaddy.......2007-08-05
This is the grand daddy of all poker books. if you only get one book, this should be it. teaches you to think for yourself in poker situations
Sometimes It's Like Eating Your Broccoli.......2007-06-30
If you're going to be a serious poker player, you must read "The Theory of Poker." It gives you the entire foundation for how to play properly. But sometimes, it's like eating broccoli. You know it's good for you. You know you have to do it. But it's not always pleasant. Too many examples come from stud and razz. (If you don't know what razz is, then you may not be a serious enough poker player to enjoy this book.) Of course, Sklansky wrote the book in an era when stud was a much bigger game. But with the popularity of hold'em, you spend much of your time translating Sklansky's concepts into hold'em situations. If you're new to poker, that's hard to do since you haven't had enough experience to fully incorporate the concepts. (Sklansky has books dedicated specifically to hold'em, if you prefer.) The narrative is okay, but not great. (Harrington's books are far better.) So, in short, this book is a must read. But you're not always going to enjoy it.
Powerful information!.......2007-05-30
The Theory of Poker presents ideas that have the potential to improve your game significantly. There is a reason why this book is consistently named by almost everyone as one of the best poker books out there. In fact, I would go as far as to say if you haven't read this you are probably not playing the best poker you could play. I had seen several of these concepts discussed elsewhere, but it wasn't until I read this that I fully understood the power of calculating pot odds/estimating implied odds, semi-bluffing, and raising in many different situations. These are powerful concepts, and Sklansky backs them up with mathematics.
Many of the concepts presented in this book are not intuitive, but once Sklansky takes you through some examples, you will kick yourself for not having used them before. He provides sufficient evidence to show that these strategies really do work.
It is important to understand, and I think this book does a good job of explaining, that you will get beat when you implement these strategies. That is inevitible. But if you keep at it, you will come out ahead in the long run.
This book is probably not the best book for beginners. This actually was the first poker book I read, but I wish I had more of a fundamental knowledge base before I read this. I tried to implement several of these strategies in my game, but I found that I lacked the proper context to really understand why they worked and in which situations. But once I practiced, read some more, and then came back to this, it was extremely useful.
In short, if you are serious about improving your poker game, this book is absolutely essential. Read a couple of beginner books first and practice a lot, and then check this one out. You will be very pleased that you did.
The only reason I don't give it five stars is because many of the examples concern games that I am really not interested in and don't care to learn (at least not now). I understand that Sklansky wrote this as a general poker book, and he did so back in '94, but most poker players today are interested in Hold Em. So examples that used Stud or Razz to illustrate their point weren't as useful as they could have been. I do know that Sklansky wrote a book specifically on Hold Em though, so not a big deal.
A Good Guide to Poker.......2007-05-14
Despite the fact that this book is a must have for any poker player (and it is), I must say it's not a complete guide for dummies. One must have some poker background in order to enjoy the full contents of this book, since the most I got from it is consolidating the knowledges I already had. For instance, most poker players are familiar with semi-bluffing, but the book somewhat provides a more indepth approach that will really explain what it's about, how to use it and why it's so powerful against the right opponents. You'll have to read it to understand what I mean. I also thinks someone should publish a book exactly like this, but focused on NLHE, since most information in this book is about "POKER" as a general sense and the reader must learn to "filter" what is and isn't valid for what type of poker he or she plays. That's the reason why I'm only giving it 4 stars; otherwise it would be a five.
Book Description
Poker is a game of many skills and to become an expert poker player you need to master them all. This includes concepts such as hand selection, position, proper image projection, and reading hands. However, there are many players who have mastered most of these skills yet they still do poorly in the games — at best they are only small winners. And when they step up in limit and challenge the better players, they almost always fail. You see, knowing the concept is one thing, putting it all together is another.
As the text will show, winning poker is a process that requires a lot of thinking as well as a thorough and systematic approach to the game, and that is what this book is about. Topics include "Playing Too Many Hands," "Self-Weighting Cold Calls," "Short-Handed Play: Don't Miss Out," "The Strategic Moment in Hold 'em," "Countering a Good Reader," "A Poker Player in Therapy," and "Thoughts on the Effects of the Poker Literature." Those of you who are serious about your game should find much of this material to be extremely valuable.
Customer Reviews:
essential reading for anyone serious.......2007-01-15
there are lotsa other books on profiling players.... this one really makes you take a look at yourself as well
The Most Conceptual Poker Book. .......2005-11-14
I heard about Inside the Poker Mind from a few players who post at a forum I frequent, and I finally got around to purchasing it. Frankly, I have difficulty believing anybody gave this one less than 5 stars because it is a rare and excellent work. I will admit that it is not a book for beginners or even those who have yet to read Ed Miller's Small Stakes Hold `Em, but it offers extensive benefits for the intermediate player on up. Inside... is basically a collection of essays concerning topics seldom discussed, or not addressed in detail, within the typical "how to" manual. Feeney, despite having a PhD and being an accomplished high stakes player, is not broadcasting to readers from Phil Ivey-ian heights. Feeney ground out poker at the lowest levels before becoming the player he is today. His experiences in the small limits ring true for those of us dwelling in them today. My favorite essay in here, "How am I doing? Who Cares?", warns readers not to be results oriented in regards to sessions. Variance is sometimes mind-boggling, but what we must do is concentrate on playing correctly despite our aces being snapped or getting cold-decked. Really, the entire Part IV section on poker and emotion is sensational. His definition of tilt is much more subtle than the ones generally offered, and, I believe, it is much more accurate. Overall, with brilliant analysis and clear style, Inside... is far better than most of its competitors. It's for the thinking man which is what everyone should aspire to be if they want to make any money out of the game.
This is a Book of Cautionary Tales; Not a Strategic Text.......2005-11-06
I find the title of this book to be slightly misleading: "Inside the Poker Mind" is a collection of essays on what NOT to do as a poker player (e.g. do not get smug and play weak cards, do not go on tilt, do not overestimate your odds, do not play beyond your means, do not take bad beats personally, etc.). From the title one might expect the text to relate in some way to getting "into the mind" of one's opponent (i.e. the text may have some strategic advice); this is simply not the case. There are a handful of strategic plays involved in this book, and some consideration of reading hands. However, these are addressed from the perspective of how not to make a mistake in either overusing certain strategies, or being too rigid in the face of changing conditions in the hand.
Essentially, this book assumes you already know everything there is to know about being a good poker player, and merely need some cautionary advice on avoiding common mistakes. While not valueless, I do not believe this focus serves the prospective readers of the book; the author frequently references "Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players" and "The Theory of Poker" to flesh out ideas he mentions in passing, and probably the reader would do better to explore those books IN PLACE of this one (although I have a very low opinion of "Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players"). The warnings this book contains are well-advised, however, and on the whole I'd probably give this book 2 1/2 stars if I could.
HITS: Cautions against overplaying marginal hands; good essays exploring the tilt phenomenon; the author's "by the numbers" pure analytical mindset becomes infectious, and could influence your play for the better
MISSES: The author is so vehemently anti-no limit and pot limit hold 'em that he refuses to address these games at all (absolutely do not attempt to use the author's strategic limit plays in a no limit or pot limit game); tournaments are denigrated as a drain on the poker economy (demonstrably false, in my opinion); no basic strategy advice; references other texts (particularly "Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players" - a terrible book in my opinion - and "The Theory of Poker", which is truly great) excessively to fill in basic ideas that more properly could be explained in the text.
A fantastic hold'em book for experienced players.......2005-05-04
This is one of my favorite poker books. It is not for beginners; it is filled with interesting and advanced topics in limit Hold'em. This is a good book for any reader who is looking to read more advanced material. The section titled "Do You Pass the Ace-Queen Test?" was controversial when the book first came out, but Feeney's thoughts has proven to be correct. The Short-Handed essays are illuminating as well. Definitely a great addition to any hold'em library.
Add this to your library.......2005-03-24
I'm a fairly serious poker player. As such, I have a lot of the books everyone talks about; Super System I, most of Sklansky and Malmuth, even Phil Helmuth. (I'm not a fan of Phil, but he makes some good points, especially on Omaha) I debated getting Inside the Poker Mind for a while. Wish I had gotten it a long while ago! It's not the "greatest" poker book I've read...hey, I only gave it 4 stars. It is, however, very useful in that it does illustrate some real issues with thinking at the table. While I found that I knew much of what he had to say, I still enjoyed the book and feel it improved my game somewhat. However, as other reviewers have noted, NOTHING takes the place of LOTS of hands played. As an aside from the review, my personal recommendation is as follows:
1) Get the books and study. Re-read as your game improves.
2) Play on-line cheaply and move up in limit as your game improves.
3) Buy the Wilson software...it's not impressive looking, but it lets you play millions of hands without going into your wallet.
4) Get into or start a home game and play as often as possible. Playing with friends isn't as scary as with strangers at a casino.
5) When you've done the first 4 things, visit a local casino or cardroom and try an inexpensive game.
If you're still losing money after that, I suggest you switch to checkers or tiddlywinks.
Book Description
Getting The Best of It is divided into six sections: Mathematics of Gambling, General Gambling Concepts, Sports and Horse Betting, Poker, Blackjack, and Other Casino Games. This book covers some of the most sophisticated gambling concepts ever put into print. It also includes a comprehensive discussion of the basic mathematics of gambling written in such a way that even the most non-mathematical of readers can understand it. Moreover, many of the ideas discussed are those that Sklansky himself has successfully used during his career.
This revised and expanded edition of Getting The Best of It includes fourteen additional chapters and covers such topics as expectation, combinations, Bayes' Theorem, the eight mistakes in poker, checking in the dark, playing tight, the Key Card Concept, casinos and their mistakes, Crapless craps, betting sports, hedging and middling, knowing what's important, the Law of Averages and other fallacies, and much more.
Customer Reviews:
Difficult, complicated but of good use.......2005-02-05
Though some of the "games" discussed by the author is out of date, his exhaustive elaboration on the direct relationship of winning with "probability" is straight to the point. About 1/5 of the book is dedicated to high maths about probability. In case you find the book too difficult, (as in my case), it shows that you (and me) dont belong to there, and we can never be pro gamblers who can win consistently in the long run against the unfavorable odds set by the casinos. But if you are determined to be successful in gambling, this book is certainly an acid test of your aptitude and talent.
Anyway, a good read, in particular for gamblers, both winning and losing ones.
Good information, some of it needs to be updated........2004-02-27
This book is largely composed of old essays that David Sklansky wrote during the 70's and 80's. Although he knows he stuff inside and out, this book is really not as useful as it could be. A la Stanford Wong, Sklansky wastes many pages regaling the reader with his exploits winning money from defunct downtown Las Vegas casinos during the 1970's. While these stories are interesting, they are nothing more than entertainment. He wastes a chapter telling us about a 1980's craps offshoot called crapless craps which may have been of interest to others in 1985, but no one would care about today. He also offers up a chapter on counting cards at baccarat and at the end tells us that other gambling experts have researched this matter and that it is not really feasible. He offers two chapters about beating progressive slot machines and at the end states that unfortunately progressive slots are different now. His section on poker includes a reprint of 10 pages of his book Hold Em' Poker which to me is a waste of space.
On the positive side, the area of the book on probability is well done. His poker section has some interesting insights although the examples would be better if they were updated to show more hold em' examples and less draw and lowball examples. The sports betting section has some interesting insights but is a little short. The blackjack section I feel is a waste of space. A lot of the essays seem to show the mathematics behind basic strategy which is of interest only to those trying to recreate the wheel. All in all, considering the $30 price tag, this book should get an update which makes it more relevant to today and should excise the essays which are no longer pertinent. I'm not questioning Mr. Sklansky's expertise at gambling, but I do question why certain parts of the book are left verbatim after 20 years.
Futures and Commodities Trader gives it two thumbs up!.......2003-04-17
Mr.Sklansky has written a phenomenal book. I am an 11 year veteran of the futures and commodities market. I have been a broker, investor, and I have written three books on the subject. Mr.Sklansky sheds that necessary light into the probability of gaming success. These thoughts are easily applied to my industry. Whether you are investing in commodity futures or options on commoditity futures, you have to be able to assses how successful the trade can possibly be and understand money management. This book covers it all.
Mr. Sklansky is a very astute gambling mathematician and he paints a broad swathe across the entire gaming industry and shows you what games can be worked and what games will work you. I would like to see him apply some of his knowledge to the investment arena and see what assessments he can come up with. I recommend all of my brokers read this book. For any gambler this book is a necessity for your success. Good luck and put this on your shelf.
The Math of Gambling.......2000-05-16
A nice book that covers games that Sklansky thinks the smart player can win, poker, blackjack among others. Most valuable for the teachings of odds versus probability and other math equations that help the player know whether he has the best of it.
Excellent treatment of all games of chance.......1999-05-23
A visionary text exploring the mechanics and profitability of gambling. Essential for any serious gambler. Sklansky's prototype work on card-counting at baccarat was an invaluable research tool in the development of my own work on practical methods for money-making at the game. The one caveat I have is that the key-card concept may well be dangerous to players not already well versed in the theory of blackjack. John May, Author of "Baccarat for the clueless"
Book Description
This volume is a collection of recent articles written by David Sklansky that have appeared in various publications including Card Player and Poker World magazines. A few have never before appeared in print.
Most of the articles are about poker or gambling. However, David has recently branched out into other areas that lend themselves to his unique style of analysis and some of these essays are contained in this book.
"Poker and gaming" topics include Being a Favorite, Are great Players Born? Talent Versus Discipline, Will Power, The Importance of Position, Never Go Broke, When Time is Not of the Essence, and Is Your Wallet Fat Enough? "Life" topics include What It Is that Makes an Issue Controversial, Coincidences, Some Thoughts on Dying, Legitimate Grievances, and Crime and Punishment.
Though these essays vary greatly in content, you will find them very thought provoking. Thus Two Plus Two Publishing proudly brings you these latest examples of David Sklansky's work.
Book Description
Sklansky on Poker combines Essays on Poker and Sklansky on Razz with new material plus a special section on tournament play. Many of the ideas in the essays section are not as sophisticated as some of the others that Sklansky has put into print, but they are still absolutely essential to winning play. This section contains chapters discussing such concepts as having a plan, choosing your game, playing according to your bankroll, the three levels of expert poker, middle-round strategy, what your opponent reads you for, the protected pot, saving the last bet, extra outs, how to play a tournament, and many others.
The razz section of the book will show you how the experts play this form of poker. Even if you never play razz, you should still read this text if you are serious about poker. This is because many concepts which are important to all forms of poker are most easily illustrated by this game.
Customer Reviews:
Sklansky Takes the Pot Again.......2007-05-07
I've probably read (and own) most of David Sklansky's poker books. I have never failed to learn something of value (usually a lot of value) from reading and studying one of his books. I recommend this one.
Book Description
Seven-card stud is an extremely complex game. Deciding on exactly the right strategy in any particular situation can be very difficult. Perhaps this is why very few authors have attempted to analyze this game even though it is widely played. In 1989, the first edition of this text appeared. Many ideas, which were only known to a small, select group of players, were now made available to anyone who was striving to become an expert, and a major gap in the poker literature was closed. It is now a new century, and the authors have again moved the state of the art forward by adding over 100 pages of new material, including an extensive section on "loose games." Anyone who studies this text, is well disciplined, and gets the proper experience should become a significant winner. Some of the other ideas discussed in this 21st century edition include the cards that are out, the number of players in the pot, ante stealing, playing big pairs, playing little and medium pairs, playing three-flushes, playing three-straights, randomizing your play, fourth street, pairing your door card on fourth street, proper play on fifth, sixth, and seventh streets, defending against a possible ante steal, playing against a paired door card, scare card strategy, and buying a free card.
Customer Reviews:
Fundamentally, the best Stud book ever written........2007-04-27
Unlike Hold 'Em, the general game-play complextion of stud has remained the same over the years, through the "poker boom". This book was written about 18 years ago yet it rings just as true today as it did the day it was printed.
The real beauty of this book is that it outlines a fundamental, winning strategy. It lays the perfect foundation for advancing your stud game the right way, as opposed to the "hard way". Many instructional books aren't much more than philosophy or abstract "advice"- not the case with 7CSFAP. This book tells you what you need to do and when you need to do it.
It is also careful not to be too rigid- it explains when there are times to deviate from what might otherwise be considered to be the "optimal" play.
One slight warning- this book has "For Advanced Players" in its title for a reason. While your typical poker nut won't have any problems comprehending it and putting it's great information to use, this is not the book you want to buy if you're just learning how to play stud.
Definite five star rating.
Tough going, but worth it.......2006-08-23
I've been at it for weeks and I'm still not all the way through this one. It's probably the hardest read I've encountered in over 20 poker books I own. The info is there... in GLORIOUS detail, but it's tough getting through it without brain paralysis at some point. They talk about playing all kinds of hands I'd rather just discard, especially in a low-limit game where many other players are loose.
Still the best.......2006-04-05
Thanks to the explosion of no limit hold-em it is becoming difficult, if not impossible, to find a seven card stud game -- even in Las Vegas! In Laughlin, you'll only find it at the Colorado Belle and then rarely more than one table. It's tough being the red-headed stepchild of poker. Still, if you're lucky enough to have a stud game in your local area, or you are an online player, purchasing this book is money well spent.
Sklansky is frequently criticized for having a dry writing style (and rightly so, I suppose) but he's one of the best poker authors because he has the ability to take sophisticated concepts and break them down in ways that are concise and easy to understand. In regards to the game of seven card stud, this book mimics his masterpiece, The Theory of Poker, in many ways. Of course you'll get the information on how to play the various betting rounds but, more importantly, you will also learn how to think like a winner. This won't likely be evident your first time through the book. Only later, and with a few losses, will his ideas hit like a lightbulb.
I'm a little annoyed at the last third of the book, a Q&A session that's repetitive and mostly filler in my opinion. Plus, there is much that could be written about the game that I haven't seen in any book. Until that book comes out, this is still the best.
The most comprehensive book on Standard Seven Card Stud in print........2006-03-21
This is the most comprehensive book on Standard Seven Card Stud in print. The book's language is straight forward and understandable in my opinion. It is also my opinion that anyone capable playing Seven Card and with a basic command of English should be able to understand this book.
The Advance part comes from the fact that many of the plays in this book do not work in lower limit games. The games where the strategies in this book are geared toward no longer exist. At least I don't know where to find them. This is also stated within the text of the book by the authors. There is a chapter on loose games that can guide on how to adjust to lower limit stud.
Still it is a good book to read. It will get you thinking and that is the real value of these books. Like Doyle Brunson's writing on No Limit Hold Em in the original Super System, I would never play like that. That style doesn't work for me. But Doyle was right! A chance of 4 hitting on the flop is just as good as the chance of an Ace hitting on the flop given the two cards are equally live. ( The difference has to do with if neither hit the flop which has stronger value....but hey I am not going to argue with Doyle Brunson). The point is Super System got me thinking about strategy in different ways and I took what work for me and ditched what didn't. This book does the same. It makes you think deeply about stud.......In my opinion.
One thing this book did for me was explain why I make some of the plays I make. After a while there were certain ways of playing that developed in my game. I do things because they seem to work. What this book did was help me understand in many cases why I play the way I do. Also, in some cases how to reevaluate some of my play. So in this regard I guess it is more of an advanced text. You will need some frame of reference to get most you can out of it.
The Best Book on Stud Poker .......2006-01-31
I initially did not feel I played at the levels that would make purchasing this book helpful to my game. I bought some lower limit stud books and they helped, but not a lot. This book is for advanced players, but if you have played for a little while and are looking for a book on stud, I trust you will be okay with these concepts. The authors explain that if you play lower limits, you should tone down some of the ideas in the book, but overall, knowledge of the tricks of the game is quite helpful.
A great deal of the book covers play on 3rd street. After reading it a couple of times, I am a lot more confident in my decisions as to whether I wish to enter the pot or fold my hand. There is also a chapter on playing in loose games. When people are entering a lot of pots with crap hands, this chapter really helps you take full advantage of these situations. These situations are common in the lower limits and I found it helped my game a great deal.
Overall, I think the book was easy to read and the coverage of the game was very well done. While there are tons of situations in stud that make explaining it complicated, the authors have done a nice job of preparing the reader for any situation they may find themselves in. If you are familiar with the game and want a book to learn a bit more, I think most people can be brought up to speed with this book without first getting a beginner's level book.
Book Description
Tournament poker is different from standard ring game poker. From a distance, it may look like a typical poker game, but there are many factors that can lead to proper strategy that is very different than what most players, (including good poker players), are familiar with.
Yet some people excel at tournament poker. This is not luck. These are players who have a good understanding of what the proper strategy adjustments are, and when they come into play. It is not a coincidence that the same players make it to the final table far more than their fair share.
This text is the first book ever written that explains tournament strategies which only a small number of players have mastered. It assumes you already know how to play poker well, but aren't knowledgeable of tournament concepts and when and where to use them. Some of the ideas discussed include the effect of going broke, The Gap Concept, how chips change value, adjusting strategy because the stakes rise, all-in strategy, the last table, making deals, The "System," and much more.
Customer Reviews:
average.......2007-08-05
This book is kinda average. It has 1 or 2 useful principles like 1) be more willing to bet but less willing to call later in tournaments, and 2) adjust the value of your chips based on how they'll translate into actual $$.
Other than that i thought it was a lot of fluff.
For Tournament Players Only..........2007-01-31
Extremely instructive if you plan on playing tournaments. Note that it covers all forms of poker, not just Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud.
nrm.......2007-01-19
I found myself thiking this could have been so much better.
Sklansky is no doubt the master when it comes to breaking down expert concepts into easily digestible form. His theory of poker and Holdem for Advanced players are absolute must reads. Even the great Harrington relies very heavily on Sklansky concepts in his 3 part series.
However Sklansky really hasn't taken it to the next level in this book like he has in some previous offerings. He highlights some fundamentally important concepts in tournament poker, particularly the gap concept, but then fails to take it further by showing the reader what to do with his new found knowledge.
If your serious about playing tournaments, of course you have to read any offering than Sklansky makes on the subject. But don't expect too much help in applying the concepts he descibes. You'll have to rely on Harrington for that.
No Luck.......2007-01-10
I haven't received it yet and have been trying to email Amazon with no luck, It was sent on 3rd Dec to Australia
They promised to deliver by the 22 Dec if I bought before 4th Dec so I don't think I will ever buy a book from Amazon again. No book no review
Read everything you can!.......2007-01-04
Whatever information you can get will improve your game. It's great to have this resource available when so many books are geared toward the more inexperienced players.
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Poker
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The Theory of Poker
Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 1: Strategic Play
Winning Low-Limit Hold'em
Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players (Advance Player)
Harrington on Hold 'em Expert Strategy for No Limit Tournaments, Vol. 2: Endgame
