Hold'em Poker

by David Sklansky

Book Overview

This text is must reading for anyone planning to play hold?em. It was the first definitive work on hold?em poker and was originally published in 1976. Yet, it is still one of the most important and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1880685086
• ISBN13: 9781880685082
• Release Date: December 1996
• Publisher: Two Plus Two Pub.
• Length: 110 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Terse, but packed with power

Hold'em Poker is a revision of Sklansky's classic from 1976. It was the first authoritative poker book to actually give starting hands in hold'em. Sklansky arranged the hands into eight groups and gave recommendations on which ones to open with depending on position. In this edition he has revised the groups and corrected some minor errors. For example, 7-6s was then both the #30 hand in Group 5 and the #53 hand in Group 8. That has been corrected. In addition to being the first book devoted exclusively to hold'em, Sklansky's little gem is perhaps the best introductory book on hold'em ever written, and then some. Sklansky does a masterful job of introducing the reader to the game, pointing out how it differs from other poker games, narrows in on the community card essence of the game, and then, amazingly enough, gives the reader information and ideas of considerable value to even seasoned players. Even if you have been playing hold'em for some time, and even if you have read Brunson's SuperSystem, I still recommend that you spend some time with this book. Sklansky writes in a deceptively terse style so that the ideas and concepts are plainly stated without elaboration. This has frustrated some readers because in some cases what Sklansky is saying is clear at first blush, while in other cases the text seems cryptic. There are three reasons for this. One, Sklansky thought of himself primarily as a teacher and deliberately left out some explanations while inviting readers to work out the reasoning for themselves. Serious players who want to improve their game will benefit from this approach. Take out a deck of cards and deal out some hands if necessary. For example, near the end of the section on "Odds and Implied Odds" he explains why it is often correct to call with a small pair before the flop. He notes that you'll often "win a nice pot if your card flops." He adds without further explanation, "Get out if it doesn't, unless you make an open-end straight." He wants you to work that out. If you do, you will come to note (after some study) that a draw to an open-ended straight that figures to be the nut is enormously better than an inside draw to the bottom end. I would add that if you have two sixes, the board 754 is significantly better than 987. Sklansky doesn't mention it, but in this latter case, you should usually not draw, but toss. Two, like all experts writing for a general readership, Sklansky unconsciously takes some ideas for granted since he himself knows them so very well, but doesn't realize that the less experienced reader needs more explanation. I've read many books by experts in all sorts of fields from cosmology to Scrabble, and I can tell you that this is a common phenomenon. What the expert needs when writing a book for a general readership is a very good editor who is less than expert him- or herself. So, yes, this book would benefit from the work of a top notch editor. An example of Sklansky's not exp

*** Hold'em Poker Books Don't Get Any Better Than This ***

"Hold'em Poker" by David Sklansky is about as good as poker books get. This is not a Johnnie-come-lately effort trying to cash in on the new found popularity of Hold'em Poker. This is a solid classic that has been around for a while. Even though this book has some age on it, the odds and probabilities in Poker haven't haven't changed, and neither has the value of this book. If you are going to play Hold'em for money, this is an essential book. This is an fundamental background work, necessary homework for serious Poker players. It is not a simple, entertaining read. It contains real information that requires serious consideration. Failure to read and understand this book will put you at risk of being a "producer". One losing session will cost you many times the price of this book.

my game got better

Until recently I was a devout 7 card stud player, but now that I have been playing and learning texas hold em.. I am hooked.Sklansky, the author of this great book, once worked as an actuary. Basically, it was his job to figure out all of the probabilities for insurance companies and limit their risk. That's almost exactly what he does for the serious hold em player with this book. He teaches you how to limit your risk and play the best hands time and time again. Anybody can sit down and play a few hours and get lucky... But, it takes a diciplined skill set and a solid knowledge of probabilities to win consistantly. Sklansky tells you how. Until I read this book, I was up and down a lot. Now, I am playing a much more stable game. My losses are smaller and my wins are a little bigger.Read this book to get a good solid foundation for hold em poker and then go out there and bust up some fish at the tables :^)

Excellent Book for Beginners and Experienced

I have been playing poker all my life but just started playing Texas Hold'em a few months back. This book gives outstanding information for playing Hold'em. It not only helps you with the fundamentals but it helps you to start thinking of the advance playing strategies. I recommend this book, that is, unless your playing at my table.

Do you REALLY want to win?

This is an outstanding book on Hold 'Em! It takes some mental "work" to understand all of the nuances, but it's easier than the REAL work you'll have to do to replace the money lost through bad play. Most losses happen through attrition, not so-called "bad beats." Sklansky does a great job of teaching you to stop seeing the flop with garbage hands and therefore beating yourself. The low-limit games are great opportunities for making money if you'll follow the advice in this book and use DISCIPLINE. This book is not for the impatient. This book is for the person who wants to WIN! Others criticize Sklansky for being "arrogant," but he's right. Jack-ten suited is NOT the best hand, you don't HAVE TO CALL with top pair (when you know you're beat), and you need to get away from those small pairs when you don't get help on the flop. Want to win? This is THE book!