The book does a roundabout through the card game Texas Hold?Em. It goes through Pot limit and No limit and explains how to win by giving an in depth analysis on what hands to play and how to play them. The books main focus is no limit hold?em, and its heavily detailed on how to win in no limit. It gives strategies on how to win the World Series and on how to win in tournaments. It also has a multitude of practice hand scenarios with drawings, which allow you to focus and learn the game. However, these practice hands are only for no limit hold?em. The authors have an extensive resume in poker to say the least and their knowledge is top of the line. The book also has little tidbit sections such as discussions with Cloutier, introduction, foreword, and ?final advice?. There is also a section on the player aspect of the game, meaning the mentality and so forth and on how to keep track of that information.

Pros:

One of the most in depth strategy guides that uses hand-by-hand play and explains every call or raise in detail. It really tells you what to do, when to do it, and why. I can?t stress enough the amount of pure data the book carries in both games and it covers every move possible. For example it explains when to play A/K on 4th street with over cards on the table or what to do with A/A after rag flop. The practice hand section also has pictures and explains when to call or raise, what position to do it in, and when to fold out.

Cons:

No translation of poker language at all, which I found quite surprising since the book is littered with it. This is my biggest gripe about the book. The target audience seems to be newer players because it?s so based on how to play the hand, yet there is no explanation to the poker slang and anyone not experienced in poker would not understand a single page. My only other complaint about the book is the lack of player-to-player knowledge. It tries to do it vaguely but simply cannot accomplish it as well as a book that is dedicated on how to play the player not the cards.

Bottom line:

The book tries to cover every beginner subject in hold?em, but riddles itself with poker slang. The straight knowledge about what to play and when to play it is unbeatable. Of course if you?re new it?s going to take a few hours to decipher it.

Posted by nyg23 on Mar 30, 2005 - 02:17 AM
My score: 5

I thought this book was very helpful and considering how quick of a read it is its worth just going to the bookstore sitting down and reading it. I only read the NL section and the stories that were at the end. It gave some very good insights to NL tournament strategy and has a section with example hands that i thought was good.

Comments:

Posted by sbtrojans on Apr 02, 2005 - 03:42 PM
My score: 5

I dont like this site. I would prefer to use Pokerstars.

Posted by tedh7 on Apr 07, 2005 - 04:57 PM
My score: 5

good boook , it helped

Posted by yodoha on Apr 21, 2005 - 01:05 AM
My score: 3

Seems like an average book. Doesnt look special at all. Seems really basic i dont think i would by it.

Posted by ReadChomsky on Jun 04, 2005 - 04:53 PM
My score: 5

Remarkable book. Cloutier is a genius. The only book that's been more helpful than this book is Harrington's, and the two books augment each other. Misplaying A-K? Read Cloutier's section about it and save money.