Recommended Poker Books

When I first started this page, there were really only a few worthwhile poker books around, the top three being Doyle Brunson's Super System, David Sklansky's The Theory of Poker, and David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth's Hold 'em Poker for Advanced Players. They're still important books, and I doubt there are many poker pros out there who haven't read them, but with all the great poker books out there today, I'd certainly never tell anyone to start with these books.

I do like Ed Miller's Small Stakes Hold'em (see below).  Two books that I'm reading right now that I think are quite worthwhile (though probably also not for beginners) are Weighing the Odds in Hold'em Poker by King Yao and Secrets the Pros Won't Tell You About Winning Hold'em Poker by Lou Krieger and Sheree Bykofsky.  The latter book, like many poker books, could have used a better editor.  Doesn't anyone edit poker books?  That criticism aside, these are useful books.

For tournaments, I like Dan Harrington's two-volume Harrington on Hold'em. Actually, "like" is not strong enough a word; I learned more from Harrington's two books than I learned from all other tournament books combined, and I have no doubt that, the next time I re-read them, I'll learn even more.  If you're not a better tournament poker player after reading Harrington's books, there's only one sensible course of action left open to you; take up knitting. 

Two books that I have not yet read, but will definitely purchase: Daniel Negreanu's Power Hold'em Strategy and Scott Fischman's Online Ace.

A good poker book pays for itself in no time, and can pay dividends for a lifetime; provided you actually read and understand it!

 

Other Resources

Poker software is not a substitute for reading - but it is a way to practice without losing real money. 

There are also poker tutorials on DVD, magazines devoted to poker, poker seminars (never been, but it might be fun to go), etc.

Best of luck!