Book(s) dealing with the Mathematical side

Guma · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 03:02 AM

I am looking for a few suggestions on books dealing with the mathematical side of poker. I see people posting about EV + or - and sorts and I am completely lost.

Please provide me with a few books that could enlighten me on this subject.

I am a very tight semi-aggressive player mostly playing tournaments. I am happy with my progression and skills but I am constantly bubbling out or just barely making the money. I want to learn, Feed Me Knowledge!

Strange · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 03:08 AM

The Theory of Poker by Sklansky seems like a good start if you haven't read it already.

youngin57 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 07:47 AM

I'll second The Theory of Poker.

young...

jojobinks · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 07:52 AM

if you're playing mostly tournies, i recommend starting with harrington, or sklansky's tournmaent poker for advanced players.

theory of poker is better later. most guys that buy it early don't really get into it until later...

geewhiz41 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 12:15 PM

I think you should read all of the above: Sklansky's Theory of Poker and Harrington on Hold 'em Vol's I and II. If you are focusing on tourneys, I especially recommend the Harrington books, as they discuss many key concepts around bubble play.

That said, I would also caution you a bit about reading all of these poker books all at once. Obviously, knowledge is a good thing, but one thing I have observed is that having all this theory and advice percolating in your head all at once can actually be detrimental. I would recommend reading one, letting that sink in, playing a little and seeing how the ideas play out, before going on to read the next one.

I haven't read Sklansky's books other than Theory of Poker, but will definitely do so.

Guma · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-2006, 01:52 PM

Ok looks like I made the right order prior to this post. I did order HOH I and II... Like advised I will read one at a time and practice what I learn prior to getting into another...

Thanks!

yeltzen · #7 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guma

Ok looks like I made the right order prior to this post. I did order HOH I and II... Like advised I will read one at a time and practice what I learn prior to getting into another...

Thanks!

I can't remember if HOH actually gets into the hardcore math behind EV. Theory of Poker does, NLHETAP does... if that's your thing, you'd be better off getting thos books. Theory of Poker was my first book, and look how I turned out.

beekeeper · #8 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 02:05 PM

Guma,

I'm not sure how much math you want to learn.

I have Weighing the Odds in Hold'Em Poker by King Yao. It's got good advice in general. I'll be honest, some of the math is beyond what I am capable of doing at the poker table. This is a book for limit play.

I just finished Sklansky & Miller's No Limit Hold'em Theory and Practice and I'm going to reread it. There's a section on Head's Up Match Ups that I'm trying to memorize (over pair vs under pair, etc). Again, it's got great general advice. Aside from Harrington, this is one of the few books that focuses on No Limit. The math is also advanced for me, but I'm going to try to learn some of it.

Harrington 1 & 2 are the best for tournament play. The concepts of Q & M are invaluable. While math is important, it is only part of the picture. Harrington does a great job of explaining the entire context of a hand, including position, tournament stage, blinds & stack sizes, etc.

Another great source for understanding + and - EV is twoplustwo.com discussions. If you check it out, Do a Search! or read the FAQ in a thread, because members don't like repeating themselves. But the Poker Theory, Beginners and General forums will have discussions. Sklanksy's NLHETP touches on it, but his books on limit play explain it more thorougly.

Bee

smoore · #9 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 03:23 PM

I would recommend, in this order:

HOH1, Harrington
HOH2, Harrington
Theory of Poker, Sklansky
Tournament Poker for Advanced Players, Sklansky

I haven't read NLHE Theory and Practice, Sklansky yet but it should be goot. Be sure to reread the books too, once just isn't enough. I'm currently going through HOH1 and highlighting the important parts. After I do this and some more reading I'll do 2. After I go through all of my 2+2 books like this I plan on going back through them and putting notes in the margins. I'mma wear the covers off of those things.

Guma · #10 (**permalink**) 08-11-2006, 11:33 PM

Over the last year and a half maybe I have read two fo Sklanksy and Malmuth books.

Hold'em Poker
Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players

Great start for me but now I do want to get the introduction to more of the math. HPAP got into Pot Odds, Drawing Odss and Imnplied odds. All great stuff but rather elementary stuff and stuff you hear everyone throwing out there nowadays. "Pot odds, I have to call!" By all means call...LOL!

I have
HOH I and II on the way and it looks like from the advice on this thread that these two books are going to be a great read. Also I think my style of play is somewhat similar to Harrington. That was Style of play not Success!

I will get Theory of Poker to have it, but it might be a bit before I get around to reading the entire book.

Thanks again for the advice on books and other resources!