what's the best book for a beginner

[tamden]

I'm looking to buy a book for my wife she is a begginer a real donkey i've posted this on several forums which one is the easyest to understand yet very helpful in making her a better player. So far the most sugested are harrington on hold em and phil gordons box set. what do you think??

[Alex123]

Well buddy I can’t suggest you any book as I personally believe that if you want to be a good poker player you got to practice. The only way to practice is by playing because you can’t develop your skill by reading books.

[LeBaronNL]

Well buddy I can’t suggest you any book as I personally believe that if you want to be a good poker player you got to practice. The only way to practice is by playing because you can’t develop your skill by reading books.

That's not completely true. Altough getting the real feeling comes only from playing, Loads of mistakes can be prevented by books.

How many players, for example, raise QJo UTG in a full ring game? How many cold-call a reraise with K9s. Bad moves with a -EV can be prevented by reading books. Having some general understanding of 'good' and 'bad' moves can be very profitable when starting off.

I would definately reccomend Harrington on hold'em. This is a pure tournament series though. Slansky is a very good book when looking at cashgames, but this is not simple lecture, so it might be better to start off simple.

Good luck at the tables!

[dulken]

i would recommend Harrington on hold'em aswell, only read part 1 myself but mister Harrington is definately one of the best poker book writers i've seen and heard off. as for it being only tournament strategies, that is true but personaly i would say that low limit sit and go tournaments is a nice way to start off your poker playing, as you don't get "stacked" the same way as you risk getting on cash game tables.

[Markie141]

You absolutely can develop skill by reading and learning the game , the math of poker and and knowing your outs and odds is essential , so is understanding the structure of the game including position and the nature of playing tourney's versus cash games , these are the kinds of things that can be easily learned in books instead of just getting in there and playing blindly , instinct is the thing that can't be taught and you learn that by playing ,if someone just wants to learn basic holdem , phil green's little green book is good for that , harrington on holdem 1 and 2 are good for tourney holdem , my personal favorite books are Theory of Poker it's awesome and Super System 2 becasue it covers my favorite games and isn't just a holdem book but it does also cover holdem , mike caros book of tells is a fun read too, gl