Discounted Limit Hold’em Poker Literature
There exist two kinds of poker literature; those you peruse once and those that you continually revisit throughout your poker journey. I am of the firm belief that the following books fall into the latter category.
Below, I have curated a list of what I consider to be the top strategy books in each category, from general strategy, no limit cash game strategy, to tournament strategy.
Universal strategy
Theory of Poker – David Sklansky – (Intermediate)
- Publication Year: 1994
- Cost: $20
- Purchase The Theory of Poker on Amazon
The Theory of Poker stands out as the most comprehensive poker book you’ll ever come across. While it doesn’t specifically focus on the game of Texas Hold’em, its true worth lies in its ability to instill in you the mindset of a triumphant poker player.
While starting hand guides and quick-fix rules can provide some assistance, the ability to make optimal decisions based on your evaluation of the situation distinguishes a superb player from an average one. This is essential reading for all serious poker enthusiasts.
However, I would suggest that you should at least have a fundamental understanding of the game. The strategy could be quite challenging to grasp for those who are completely new to poker. Pot Limit & No Limit Poker – Ciaffone and Reuben – (Beginner)
- Publication Year: 1999
- Cost: $17
- Acquire Pot Limit & No Limit Poker on Amazon
This book is another excellent comprehensive strategy guide that addresses all the most commonly played poker variations. It’s an engaging read and offers insightful strategy to help you cultivate a robust all-around game.
Given the choice of a single “general” strategy book, my personal preference would be Theory of Poker, but that doesn’t mean this one lacks merit. However, if I were a novice at the game, I would opt for this book over ToP due to its more comprehensible and straightforward content.
Strategies for Cash Games.
No Limit Hold’em: Theory and Practice – David Sklansky – (Advanced)
- Publication Year: 2006
- Cost: $20
- Purchase No Limit Hold’em: Theory and Practice on Amazon
This book is not the most beginner-friendly, so it’s recommended to only consider this book if you’re already familiar with solid Hold’em strategy.
The comprehension of ‘No Limit Hold’em: Theory and Practice’ may be challenging due to its complexity, yet it encompasses a wealth of invaluable insights. Despite its intricacy, it’s certainly worth the read for those seeking to grasp some of the most sophisticated strategies available in a Hold’em strategy guide. Professional No-Limit Hold’em: Volume I – Ed Miller – (Intermediate)
- Publication Year: 2007
- Cost: $20
- Purchase Professional No-Limit Hold’em: Volume I on Amazon
Compared to Theory and Practice, ‘Professional No-Limit Hold’em’ is more straightforward and does an excellent job in outlining the basic strategy for a successful game. One of the book’s most beneficial subjects is the REM process, emphasizing the significance of Range, Equity… Maximize – a crucial concept for intermediate players to understand.
Several distinctive subjects are discussed in the subsequent sections, which haven’t been thoroughly addressed in other publications. This book might be challenging for novice players, and could serve as a review for more experienced ones. I would suggest this book to players who are trying to transition from a break-even to a profitable game.
While it’s a tough choice between Theory and Practice and this one, I lean towards reading Professional No Limit Hold’em.
Strategies for Tournaments (MTTs and SnGs).
Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book – Phil Gordon – (Beginner)
- Published: 2005
- Price: $18
- Purchase Phil Gordon’s Little Green Book on Amazon
Regarded as a treasure trove of insights for NL Texas Hold’em, each reading of this book offers a fresh perspective or a nuance that may have previously been overlooked. Though it may not be the most advanced resource available, it certainly provides a wealth of knowledge for novices, as well as some nuggets of wisdom for those at an intermediate level.
The book is divided into manageable sections, allowing readers to easily extract valuable information without being bombarded with excessive strategy and thought processes simultaneously. I must confess, this is my go-to guide for Texas Hold’em strategies.
Regardless of your current skill level, I would strongly advise all no limit Hold’em enthusiasts to delve into this book at some point. Harrington on Hold’em Vol. 1 – Dan Harrington – (Beginner/Intermediate)
- Published: 2005
- Cost: $20
- Purchase Harrington on Hold’em Vol. 1 on Amazon
The Harrington on Hold’em collection is widely recognized as the ultimate guide, or rather, the “Bible” for Texas Hold’em tournament strategies. Whenever someone seeks a suggestion for a decent tournament strategy book, it’s almost always followed by the abbreviation HoH.
The initial book delves into the core strategy of tournament poker. It provides numerous valuable hand examples, each explained in a clear and concise manner. HoH is easily one of the top, if not the best, book series on tournament poker strategy. Harrington on Hold’em Vol. 2 – Dan Harrington – (Beginner/Intermediate)
- Published: 2005
- Cost: $20
- Purchase Harrington on Hold’em Vol. 1 on Amazon
The second part of the HoH series is as impressive as the first, shifting its focus to endgame tactics rather than initial strategic moves.
Most tournament participants opt to purchase both volumes 1 and 2 together, considering them as a singular book divided into two parts. The third volume is more of an additional choice, even though it comes with some remarkable content. Arnold Snyder’s The Poker Tournament Formula – (Intermediate Level)
- Year of Publication: 2006
- Cost: $16
- Purchase The Poker Tournament Formula on Amazon
The HoH series (mentioned earlier) is beautifully supplemented by this book. While I wouldn’t necessarily suggest it as a replacement for the tournament books written by Harrington, I firmly believe it deserves a spot on the must-read list for anyone aiming to excel in tournament poker.
The Poker Tournament Formula adopts a slightly more assertive strategy in poker tournaments, which is why it’s beneficial to read both the HoH series and this one. If you’re aiming to broaden your tournament tactics following HoH 1, 2, and 3, your search ends here. Kill Everyone – Lee Nelson – (Intermediate Level)
- Publication Year: 2007
- Cost: $20
- Purchase Kill Everyone on Amazon
The book “Kill Everyone” is a follow-up to the highly praised “Kill Phil” book (which, contrary to what the title might suggest, was not penned by Phil Helmuth). The predecessor laid out the groundwork for a solid preflop strategy in Hold’em tournaments. This sequel elevates the subject matter, providing more sophisticated insights into playing the later streets. It caters to both MTT and SnG strategy.
The content of “Kill Everyone” is reminiscent of a Sklansky book, filled with excellent strategy, yet it is not a light read. I wouldn’t suggest this book for beginners, but I believe intermediate players would find it extremely beneficial. Sit ‘n Go Strategy – Colin Moshman – (For Beginners/Intermediates)
- Year of Publication: 2007
- Cost: $17
- Purchase Sit ‘n Go Strategy from Amazon
As one might anticipate, this book primarily centers on the Sit ‘n Go tournament format, rather than the more extensive MTT games. I’m of the opinion that this is the most superior NL SNG specific strategy book available, brimming with high-quality strategies and highly enlightening hand examples.
This book isn’t intended for absolute beginners, as it presupposes a fundamental understanding of SnG games and poker playing techniques. Nonetheless, I believe that a novice player should be capable of comprehending the bulk of the information presented in this book.
All in all, there isn’t a more exceptional strategy book for Sit ‘n Go poker games out there.
For an extensive compilation of incredibly helpful and enlightening reviews on the majority of these books, have a look at the LV Revealed gambling book reviews. The customer reviews on the Amazon site itself are also very straightforward in assisting you to identify the superior books.
