Many players will agree with me that for you to be a pro in poker games, you have to read and understand every single concept and theories involved before buying a poker set. Today we have many upcoming authors who might tend to miss the point with the content they drive home, so picking the best poker books definitely needs extra caution.
Some of the books you’ll come across could either be irrelevant or too complex, and that’s why we have put up these reviews for the seven best books that every gamer needs.
Reviews of best Poker Books in 2020
Here are top selling Poker Books on the market today
How To Study Poker: Volume 1
One of the reasons why most gamers, especially beginners, don’t comprehend concepts discussed in various books and papers is often attributed to complex ways the authors express themselves. If you’re one of these people, here’s something for you. This guide is one of a kind as it clearly marks out ways that you can use to work out gaming strategies for your advantage.
The key areas discussed in here are the simple study techniques and the key steps to improve your game in real time. What stand out for me is how the content pushes you as a player to be true to your commitments to the game, and that’s the first step towards winning poker. Of all the books available today, this is one of the quickest-reads I’ve ever come across, with only 157 pages to comprehend.
Pros
- A quick read
- Content is easy to follow
- Audio versions available
- Better drive to commitments
Cons
- Minimal gaming details covered
Modern Poker Theory by Michael Acevedo
Michael Acevedo has been known for creating unmatched contents for globally renowned gamers, and what’s in this book is not different by any chance. For you to achieve any win at a poker table, you have to make accurate decisions and actually use it as an advantage over those opponents who can’t do it.
In order to do that, you have to understand the fundamentals of Game Theory Optimal (GTO) and how you can use it when gaming. This book is a comprehensive and rigorous guide for players who want to figure out what the theory is all about, with the intentions of more wins. I haven’t found any book that explains the whole idea of No-Limit Hold’em in a better way. After going through the book, you’ll definitely be the favourite when the game is on.
Pros
- Contains relevant theory in today’s world
- Content has been researched using poker tools
- Underlines real concepts of GTO
- Diligent studying improves gaming
Cons
- Relatively numerous pages
The Theory of Poker by David Sklansky
When you have other authors focusing on only one aspect of the game, David Sklansky has come up with these concepts and theories that you can refer to for all game variations. The first chapter introduces readers to Poker Fundamental Theorem, how it affects play and the expected implications it has.
The rest of the book spreads out discussions on values of bluffing, deception, positioning, psychology, game theory, heads-up play, raising, slow play and many more. This is close to everything that you need for the game and it’s what helps one grow from a typical player to an expert. This is the reason why many stars recommend this book for those who want to see a difference in their performance.
Pros
- Discusses possible ideas
- Accurate theories
- Available glossary for beginners
- Author is still a successful gamer
Cons
- Could be complex for a novice
Essential Poker Math, Expanded Edition
Ever thought of trying Poker Math? Well, this book makes it simple and easy for you to learn, and it’s probably the best way to break the myth that such math is complex. Coming from Alton who is a globally endorsed poker course instructor, there’s more you’ll gain from the book.
Once you get the fundamentals in this book, you’ll stand a great chance of leverage when gaming with your mates. Therefore, if you’re still battling with guess work during games, this is what you need. Apart from the basics, you’ll learn about poker mathematics, pre-flop and post-flop concepts and finally how to perform expected value calculations and combinatorics.
This edition has everything you need for the game because it’s more updated, expanded and improved. It features 4 extra chapters and here you’ll find expanded content in more than 150 pages. Even if math is not your thing, you can try this book because all the 75 devised practice and examples of poker hands are analysed in details.
Pros
- Greatly analysed concepts
- Leverage at the poker table
- Ideal for beginners and professionals
- Simple language which is easy to follow
Cons
- A drawback to those who don’t love math
The Mental Game of Poker
In addition to other things you should consider as a player, your mental game is very crucial, otherwise you would go insane. This is because losing in poker doesn’t necessarily mean that you didn’t play perfectly, and such are things that require mental stability. So if you’re still terrible at it, The Mental Game of Poker is the best coach that I would recommend.
Jared Tendler’s approach helps players to do their best, irrespective of the number of games they’ve lost. The book features clearly highlighted instructions and effective techniques needed for those trying to work on tilt, emotional control, handling variance, fear, confidence and motivation. Therefore, as the game gets tougher, you won’t have restrains in handling any difficulties head on.
For players like me who love quick-reads, this book only has 241 pages which is fair enough compared to the rest as listed in the reviews. If reading isn’t your thing but you still want to take your skills a notch higher, there is an audio translation of this book that can work perfectly for you.
Pros
- Great fix for mental problems
- Includes testimonies of eight other players
- Features motivational methods used by professionals
- Audio versions available
- Relatively quick-read
Cons
- Only mental aspects covered
Jonathan Little’s Excelling at No-Limit Hold’em
This book contains combined gaming strategies and aspects from 18 great experts, including Jonathan Little, so you’ll have a variety of options to try at the gaming table. It contains three detailed parts that lets you focus on the areas that you need improvement on, and if you’re a beginner, be sure to go through them all.
It premiers with strategies for different areas including poker fundamentals, lower-buy in events, satellite play and the best ways to analyse tells and move up in stakes. The next part is a detailed technical analysis of poker game. This is broken down into sections with range analysis, theory on optimal play, value betting, final table play and short-sack strategies.
Away from the technical parts, part three is where the battle begins. It entails the required psychological, mental toughness and understanding tilt of the game. With all the amazing tools provided in the book, I consider this a basic buy for any serious player who want to elevate their skills to match those of the industry’s renowned stars.
Pros
- Sampled ideas from different perspectives
- Contain basic and up-to-date clarifications
- Better way to understand poker
- A great reference manual
- Includes technical, mental and psychological strategies
Cons
- Bulkier than the rest
Every Hand Revealed by Gus Hansen
Gun Hansen is a pro in the Poker game, and he lets you learn the secrets behind his great wins which are outlined in the book. He truly knows what upcoming poker players need, and that’s why he decided to offer unlimited access to the magic behind his successful gaming career. I would say this is the only place you’ll find all his secrets and at the end of your read, the progress you’ll make during the next game is unbelievable.
It features more than 300 analysis of the hands that Hansen played when the Aussie Millions happened. Other important poker ideas that he outlines are: The logical methods behind his consistent wins; Guides on how to make precise calculations, read of the opponents and educated guesses; How to play by the price structure and many more. Now is the time to grab your copy and get the first-hand experience of what we’re taking about in every chapter of this great book.
Pros
- Informative and easy read
- Reveals secrets of a winner
- Fairly priced
- Entails key strategies for beginners
Cons
- Requires basic understanding of poker games
Conclusion
We have books majoring on different aspects of the game, but the best poker books should be able to cover the entire game in a nutshell. Such books aren’t usually quick-reads, like the Jonathan Little’s Excelling at No-Limit Hold’em, but are of a great significance to those who want to take their prowess a notch higher.
However, becoming a poker star doesn’t happen overnight, and that’s why it’s recommended to read a number of books as you bring the concepts to the poker table.
Leave a Reply