July 2010
Poker Book: The Psychology of Poker

Filed under Books

One book I will personally recommend for someone who’s starting to learn the game or someone who can consider himself an intermediate player is The Psychology of Poker written by Allan Schoonmaker. The pages of this book have a lot of things to offer. Before purchasing any book it is highly recommended to play free roulette, poker, blackjack and slots games to see which game you enjoy the most and from there purchase a book about the game you love.
As you may have read everywhere, psychology is a vital part of poker. Understanding the psychology of the game is somehow knowing the reasons why you are doing what you are doing. The book explores into the motivations that one might have for playing poker. Schoonmaker delves into the principles of the game, evaluation of one’s self if you have the stuff needed for poker, subjective rationality, and a bunch of other poker psychology stuff. The good thing about the book is that everything is presented the way you and I will understand it.

One good section of the book goes into the Styles Grid which helps you answer some basic questions to determine how you should play the game.

The book was published back in 2000 just before everyone went crazy for the card game. The author hits the spot that one must be tight-aggressive. One just cannot wait all day and all night to get the best cards to play or your chips will be way down because of the blinds.

We also commend the chapter of the book which helps us analyze the right frame of mind and style of play when dealing with loose passive poker players. Schoonmaker points out that discipline prevails in poker.

The Psychology of Poker is a good read. One great addition it brought to my game is patience.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2010-07-01  ::  Chunta

March 2010
The Professional Poker Dealer’s Handbook by Dan Paymar, Donna Harris & Mason Malmuth

Filed under Books + Dan Paymar + Donna Harris + Mason Malmuth

When I bought this book I had no intention of becoming a professional poker dealer, I just wanted to get informed and know the ins&outs of being a dealer and the stuff dealers “deal” with.

This book is a classic most dealers read – but I wasn’t hugely impressed. I read about sixty pages and gave up.

Professional Poker Dealers Handbook Professional Poker Dealers Handbook

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2010-03-27  ::  Jon

September 2009
Super System: A Course in Power Poker by Doyle Brunson

Filed under Books + Doyle Brunson

Mr. Doyle Brunson is one of the true legends of poker, and this book probably is the most legendary poker book ever written. Educating players for decades, Super System: A Course in Power Poker by Doyle Brunson is the book that has lead the current generation of money-making professionals to poker riches, in my opinion.

I actually enjoyed the read, considering the fact that it’s an old book. I loved Chip Reese’s part of the book – and really endorse the whole book!

Super System: A Course in Power Poker by Doyle Brunson
Side of Super System: A Course in Power Poker by Doyle Brunson

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-09-10  ::  Jon

June 2009
The Professor, The Banker, and the Suicide King by Michael Craig

Filed under Books + Michael Craig

Billionaire Andy Beal took on a “team” of professional poker players (known as The Corporation) in the highest stakes cash-game ever to be played in the world. In this book, Michael Craig talks about the game, the people involved and gives us an insight in the world of ultra-high stakes gambling.

I loved this book, and honestly feel all poker fans should give it a try.

Michael Craig, The Professor, The Banker and the Suicide King Michael Craig, The Professor, The Banker and the Suicide King

If you're looking for poker books that focus on playing in the Casino Mate environment we suggest to keep your eyes on this blog as we'll soon be reviewing more online poker books!

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-06-10  ::  Jon

May 2009
Mike Caro’s Book of Poker Tells

Filed under Books + Mike Caro

Mike Caro's Book of Poker Tells

Subtitled “The Psychology and Body Language of Poker”, Caro’s Book of Poker Tells (formerly titled Caro’s Book of Tells) is a true classic in the poker community. Legendary author Mike Caro writes about some very well-known and some very marginal tells at the poker table, which will allow you to spot important signs while playing. It is a good book, but due to the fact that it is somewhat dated – quite a few players know all these things, and might use them against you…

It’s very much worth reading, but I do suggest you to keep in mind that the more experienced players at the table probably read this book too…

Our readers can get a special 15% off this book at Pokerhandel.be by buying Caro’s Book of Poker Tells through our link!

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-05-20  ::  Jon

April 2009
Farha on Omaha by Sam Farha & Storms Reback

Filed under Books + Sam Farha + Storms Reback

Farha on Omaha by Sam Farha and Storms Reback

The book starts great with the personal story of legendary gambler Sam Farha. We get a look into his young life, and it’s a great story! The poker talk on the other hand, is not that impressive. We do get an idea about the difference between Hold’em and Omaha – but Sammy basicly tells us that the way he plays won’t work for people that are less sick of a person than he is. That’s not really the Omaha advice I was hoping for. ;-)

It’s a fun read, but if you REALLY want to learn Pot Limit Omaha, I don’t think it’s the best choice.

Golden Riviera is a great option if you're looking for a fair and trustworthy online casino to play at!

Use the skills you learn in these books right away, head over to an online casino offering poker, and go make some money!

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-04-19  ::  Jon

April 2009
No-Limit Hold’em Hand by Hand by Neil D. Myers

Filed under Books + Neil D. Myers

No-Limit Holdem Hand by Hand - Neil D. Myers

100% about the popular form of poker – No Limit Hold’em. I wasn’t completely impressed by Neil D. Myers’ book – but it did give yet another good overview of why some hands are playable in certain situations and which not — and tackled some basic poker ideas including position and pot odds.

Not my favorite book, but not bad for beginners.

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-04-19  ::  Jon

April 2009
The Theory Of Poker by David Sklanksy

Filed under Books + David Sklansky

The Theory Of Poker - David Sklanksy

Pretty excellent book for someone completely new to poker. It not only introduces you to more than just No Limit Hold’em – it also talks about basic poker stuff like the value of position, pot odds and bluffing (and semi-bluffing).

I enjoyed David Sklansky’s classic poker introduction a lot, and very much recommend it!

 ::  Share or discuss  ::  2009-04-19  ::  Jon