Poker Book Reviews

I've read many poker strategy books and it felt natural to me to make this page with only poker book reviews. Over 30 books about poker sit on my shelf, most of them collecting dust having been read already and only get to see the light of day when I need to refresh my memory.

Believe me, it is not easy to find the best poker books. Honestly, most of the books out there aren't worth reading.

And that is where these reviews come in. I'll go through the books that I have read and tell you exactly what I think about them.

It will take me awhile to go through and write reviews on all my poker books because I will have to re-read them so be patient :)

The Reviews

Big Deal: One Year as a Professional Poker Player

Anthony Holden penned one of the few good literary poker books. A professional writer-turned-pro-poker-player, who later turns back into a writer, tells a fairly gripping story about how he gave it all up to pursue his hobby.

Caro’s Book of Poker Tells: The Psychology and Body Language of Poker

This is one poker book that needs to be taken with a huge grain of salt. First, throw out all the “tells” that have to do with players showing their cards to friends/family/observers/and pets because card rooms tend to enforce a “one player per hand” rule.

Championship No-Limit and Pot-Limit Hold’em

TJ Cloutier is an old school throwback to days when poker was played in smoke filled backrooms rather than in front of television cameras. Gruff, but amiable, this former football player is regarded as one of the best tournament players alive. 

Harrington on Holdem Vol.1

Once upon a time, the only way to learn how to play winning poker was to lose your money to more seasoned players until you (hopefully) figured out how they were beating you so badly.The televised poker boom that began in 2004 changed all that.  Now bookstores have entire sections dedicated to poker strategy from virtually every big name tournament player. 

Harrington on Holdem Vol.2

Harrington’s sequel displays the same high standards and thoughtfulness found in his previous book.  As before, Harrington keeps his focus tight - dealing exclusively with no limit hold’em tournament strategy rather than skimming a variety of poker games and formats. 

Holdem Poker for Advanced Players (21st Century Edition)

Despite the title clearly stating that this book is for advanced players, David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth’s updated edition gives a lot of attention to loose, low-limit cash games, which has beginner written all over it.

Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book: Lessons and Teachings in No Limit Texas Hold

A lot of people like this book for a lot of reasons. It is handy, worthwhile and highly relatable. Some people call it a “classic.” It’s hard to go there just yet, but it is a pretty good book.

Small Stakes Hold ‘em: Winning Big With Expert Play

Ed Miller, David Sklansky and Mason Malmuth triumph with Small Stakes Holdem: Winning Big With Expert Play. Hands down, this is a must-read for every limit hold'em poker player, even if you only plan on playing tournaments for the rest of your life.

Super System 2

Doyle Brunson’s Super System was so groundbreaking and influential that it quickly became known as “The Bible” of poker.  At the time that Doyle wrote it, no one of his ability had ever given away so many poker secrets.

The Biggest Game In Town

A. Alvarez’s classic, The Biggest Game in Town, is the father of all contemporary poker literature. This book showed that poker, and Vegas, had a story to tell. It’s the kind of book that if you were in it, you had made it, and if you were not in it, nobody needed to know about you.

The Professsional Poker Dealer's Handbook

The Professional Poker Dealer's Handbook is a must-read for anyone pursuing a career (or hobby) in dealing cards or for players wanting to feel more comfortable at a live game.

Tournament Poker: 101 Winning Moves: Expert Plays for No-Limit Tournaments

Author and poker player, Mitchell Cogert, sets down 101 “Winning Moves” for no-limit tournaments in a thoughtful, meticulous manner. These moves fall under three main categories: Pre-Flop Moves, Flop Moves and River Moves.

Tournament Poker For Advanced Players

In David Sklansky’s “Advanced Players” series, this is definitely the book that is intended for advanced players.

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