[Shiv]

When you wanna find good advice, what better place to ask than here? I wasn't sure where to post this, so I apologize in advance.

I was thinking of stepping away from the tables a bit after some neverending losing sessions and get into some literature again. I've been pretty faithful to most of Sklansky's stuff, but I was wondering what people think of the books by Ciaffone. I don't have a single one in my collection and was wondering whether it would be worth the buy. I want to build my game enough that I would feel more confident to sit down at a live game and not look like....well, an idiot.

I have watched a lot of you guys play in the weekly tournament, so I am confident there is a wealth of knowledge that would help me decide whether I should pick up some stuff from Ciaffone. I am not too concerned with whether it is Limit or NL adive since I can't seem to have a preference, yet.

Thanks for any advice you have to offer, I appreciate it.

James

[SpaceMonkey]

I'm a huge fan of both Pot-Limit & No-Limit Poker as well as Middle Limit Holdem Poker. I haven't read Improve Your Poker yet, but I have been meaning to pick it up.

Check out some of his Card Player articles too, or to just get a feel for his writing before you pick up one of his books.

But yes, I recommend Ciaffone.

[Shiv]

Spacemonkey....man with good chips has to know what he is talking about, lol. Thanks for the reply, looks like I am off to Overstock to pick them up. Do you think that his Middle Limit book works well for lower limits or should I stick to Sklansky for that?

Thanks again!

[SpaceMonkey]

I first read Middle Limit well before SSHE came out, and it definitely improved my game. It's comprised of tons of situational quiz hands that I found really helpful. Besides which, I've always found it useful to get various opinions, so I wouldn't just stick to Sklansky. But SSHE is great too, if you haven't read that and want another book in the 2+2 family.

[minttea]

I second what SpaceMonkey says, but I'd like to specifically mention that I don't recommend sticking to Sklansky for low limit hold'em, since he largely doesn't write about it at all. Get Miller's book (Small Stakes Hold'em) - it will be a better fit than Sklansky's (Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players) or Ciaffone's (Middle Limit Hold'em) books, which are both intended for mid/high limits.

Of course, Sklansky's non-hold'em-specific materials still apply. And I should mention that I haven't read Ciaffone's book, and I'm just assuming that it is what the title says. I have read the other books I mentioned, and Ciaffone & Reuben's book.

That's all for limit - for no limit, Ciaffone & Reuben's book is a resource that many people point to as a major work. As I said, I've read it, and I think it's fantastic.

[dad604]

I have just finish reading "Improve your poker." I think it was a very good book full of good advice that is different then those offer by Sklansky. "Middle Limit..." is on my list to get next.

[Shiv]

Originally Posted by minttea

I second what SpaceMonkey says, but I'd like to specifically mention that I don't recommend sticking to Sklansky for low limit hold'em, since he largely doesn't write about it at all. Get Miller's book (Small Stakes Hold'em) - it will be a better fit than Sklansky's (Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players) or Ciaffone's (Middle Limit Hold'em) books, which are both intended for mid/high limits.

Of course, Sklansky's non-hold'em-specific materials still apply. And I should mention that I haven't read Ciaffone's book, and I'm just assuming that it is what the title says. I have read the other books I mentioned, and Ciaffone & Reuben's book.

That's all for limit - for no limit, Ciaffone & Reuben's book is a resource that many people point to as a major work. As I said, I've read it, and I think it's fantastic.

Yeah, SSHE is what I meant when I mentioned Sklansky, I forgot to add Miller's name when I was typing it out(a little under the influence at the time, less words to type the better,lol). Thanks for the reminder.

So, it seems fair to say that CIaffone's book on NL and PL would be a good pickup for those mentioned limits? Thanks for the reply's, I am going to have to give it a try and see whether it can improve my game.

[w16227]

Originally Posted by Shiv

Yeah, SSHE is what I meant when I mentioned Sklansky, I forgot to add Miller's name when I was typing it out(a little under the influence at the time, less words to type the better,lol). Thanks for the reminder.

So, it seems fair to say that CIaffone's book on NL and PL would be a good pickup for those mentioned limits? Thanks for the reply's, I am going to have to give it a try and see whether it can improve my game.

If you are interested in NL tournaments, then Harrington on Holdem 1 and 2 are what you want. Probably the BEST NL tournament advice out there.