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Joined: Jan '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 1204
No
------------ I've never fully read a book since I was a kid, and it was a childrens book lol. I didn't even bother reading the english literature one in school. Too much saggin.
Edited by sadamman (30 September 2012 @ 23:50 GMT)
Joined: Nov '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 67 (M)
Posts: 3361
no i've never read a book about poker,i have said before that i should but so far i haven't got round to it,so i will read one,any recommendations anyone? i promise i'll try my hardest to read it.
Joined: Sep '12
Location: Romania
Age: 33 (M)
Posts: 1052
No, i don't :-?? why ? because :-?? never see a real book in library and no one of my friends don't have... when i found a book i'll read it. No because i want to learn too much just for me... because i'm un-lucky ... poker online lose ... bet lose ... when i do something with my hands I succeed
Voted no by mistake :/. I've read the book about poker from Doyle Brunson. Personally i don't think you need any book to learn how to be good at poker but it certanly helps you understand the game faster when you are getting into it - learning basics.
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Australia
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 6483
Posted by sadamman: No
------------ I've never fully read a book since I was a kid, and it was a childrens book lol. I didn't even bother reading the english literature one in school. Too much saggin.
just... wow.. that really saddens me. Do you actually have literacy problems or some other disability? Or you just don't read? You're missing out on such a fantastic part of life if you've just chosen not to read.
Fair enough if you don't watch TV/Movies either, but if you do watch movies or tv shows and enjoy them, then you're completely screwing yourself by never reading.
Anyway - I've read a couple poker books: Kill Everyone, Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I, come to mind as books I'd probably recommend.
I don't think any book will dramatically change your game over-night. But there's tiny little bits of information that maybe you don't already know that you can pick up and add to your game. Maybe just change the way you think about a couple things.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Never read a book about poker and like the OP i dont intend to do it in the future. Consider it a waste of time for me, since i know how the game is played. You can improve your game by studying your own history
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Portugal
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 4827
I did, several, one in portuguese and two in english. The portuguese one was a gift from a friend who i used to play with. It's really basic, it only tells how to play and some stories about live game of the author, which is a PS portuguese pro. About the english ones, i got them on the net and i found them really interesting (can't remember the names or the authors) because they gave several strategic explanations, and that's what should the poker books be about. I'm thinking about writing one, supported by a pro - being a ghost writer- so that portuguese starters can have more material to read about in their own language. No need to explain the rules of the game, but to explain how to react in several situations is often important. Reading is important, go read a book, you'll get smarter!
Good luck with the book - Have you considered writing one on National Strategy attitude across the games and stake levels of poker- admittedly it would be bigger than "War and Peace" but what a learning tool.
I fiind with the wealth of films being produced and ideas for New story lines limited the page to screen time is so much shortened. By the time I have found something worth reading it is the on IMDB post production list and no doubt released before I would have finished. Also often films fall short of your own matrix of imagination- for this reason I recently bought at a charity event the full 9 series of "Robert Ludlams" Bourne series £9 instead of £60 retail and for a good cause
My last non-fiction book was Stephen Hawkin- Briefer History of Time which as night-time reading I would liken to just finishing a grueling and late night game.
Back to the subject books on poker I have never read one. Not through lack of intention but lack of information of which one to read.
I have played for 3-4 years (3 online) the group I started playing with I first attended rank of hands at my side quickly printed minutes before game - and I was hooked on Texas
So many thanks to all posting suggestions
------------
Posted by Mober: Never read a book about poker and like the OP i dont intend to do it in the future. Consider it a waste of time for me, since i know how the game is played. You can improve your game by studying your own history
But knowledge is power!!!! And yes re-running games (visulise function on pokerstars is great for this whilst still on table) all-though no other information is available than on all in game hand histories just quicker to digest mid game.
And of course forums are great for comparing situations that you don't want to voice on the felt !!!
Joined: Jan '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 1204
Posted by jessthehuman:
Posted by sadamman: No
------------ I've never fully read a book since I was a kid, and it was a childrens book lol. I didn't even bother reading the english literature one in school. Too much saggin.
just... wow.. that really saddens me. Do you actually have literacy problems or some other disability? Or you just don't read? You're missing out on such a fantastic part of life if you've just chosen not to read.
Fair enough if you don't watch TV/Movies either, but if you do watch movies or tv shows and enjoy them, then you're completely screwing yourself by never reading.
Anyway - I've read a couple poker books: Kill Everyone, Professional No-Limit Hold 'em: Volume I, come to mind as books I'd probably recommend.
I don't think any book will dramatically change your game over-night. But there's tiny little bits of information that maybe you don't already know that you can pick up and add to your game. Maybe just change the way you think about a couple things.
No I've got no problems, I've actually got waaay better literacy skills than most people who do read books. Its not that I've never tried to read a book. I've just never finished one because it bores me.
------------ I do watch tv an movies but I'm one of the most picky people on earth.
Joined: May '08
Location: Lithuania
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 10090
Posted by Mober: You can improve your game by studying your own history
true- i've heard even successful businessmen follow this strategy, it does work i'm very suspicious of poker books- to me they sound just like pure business from publishers/authors and very little else...and this more- if any "secret" is given out in a book- can it be called a secret at all, if any "long term winning strategy" is posted in the book which is read by thousands, doesn't this strategy lose it's point...since everyone's following it?
Joined: Jan '11
Location: United States
Age: 60 (M)
Posts: 3361
can't say I \'ve read any one book, but have read parts in them pertaining to specific poker topics. I've read more in this forum then anywhere and actually think the real life experiences and various opinions from everyone really broadens one's poker skills. I do want to get a couple books and have brushed through a few at the local book store. I always put them down and purchase some other book. You'll all laugh about my last book purchased! It's "Winning Lotto / Lottery For Everyday Players" &
Joined: Feb '08
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 1886
Posted by marqis:
Posted by awood88: I've never read a book on poker and have no intention to.
Why not? Too boring? Or do you have better alternatives?
A little of what Mober said (I already know how to play) but also I don't read as much as I used to and quite frankly if I got round to reading a book it would be on a more interesting subject.
It's not that I don't think reading books can improve your game. Analysing your history/stats is one thing but we all know that reading opinions helps too. I think I've learned plenty reading the forum on this site but I'm not interested in reading what one expert has to say. Even if they are really good poker players I don't really want to read them rabbiting on about how good they are or how they think I should be playing, when my style may be very different but successful for me.
I also don't think I would want to read a whole book about poker, I don't think there's that much that can be said, you certainly can't teach what you learn naturally at the table, I struggle to think what they can say that will keep me interested for 200 pages and I say that having not read a book so I don't claim they are boring and repetitive. I think that players who are new to poker have the most to learn but even experienced players can learn from reading other people's experiences but I don't expect any great revolutions from reading a poker book, nothing that would make me change my attitude towards playing.
Finally I wouldn't pay for a book when I'm quite happily playing my stakes and winning a bit of money. I have no serious ambition to turn pro so I doubt it would be that great an investment for me.
Joined: Dec '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 38 (M)
Posts: 707
i have read quite a few, don't know if they help me play any better but it did give me an insight into how other people played and their strategys/stories etc.
i love to read anyway so i just added a few poker books to my library
Posted by awood88: I've never read a book on poker and have no intention to.
Why not? Too boring? Or do you have better alternatives?
A little of what Mober said (I already know how to play) but also I don't read as much as I used to and quite frankly if I got round to reading a book it would be on a more interesting subject. ... I also don't think I would want to read a whole book about poker, I don't think there's that much that can be said, you certainly can't teach what you learn naturally at the table, I struggle to think what they can say that will keep me interested for 200 pages ...
Fair enough. I asked, because I find books about poker quite boring. "Super system" was one of the most boring imo. Oddly enough, the best read was "Every hand revealed" by Gus Hansen, which is actually just a glorified hand history...
Boring though they may be, I don't regret reading any of them...
Reading is a good way of improving yourself (in any subject); it greatly accelerates the growth of your knowledge. I've discovered this to be the case, in a professional capacity, but it should apply equally well to poker...
i have never read a full book i have started to read them but never finished one . some of the things i have read online seam to sound ok . i have sign up to the poker-stars school there is some good things on ther..
& 
I'm sure I can do it with this book 
