Texas Holdem Strategy

chillin411 · Joined: 22 Jan 2005 Posts: 806 Location: Florida

Phil Gordon, co-host of Celebrity Poker Showdown, has come out with a new book, written in the style of famed golf author Harvey Penick's Little Red Book. He breaks down concepts into anecdotes and short passages to teach the reader, which seems to work pretty well. It's a pretty easy read and quite enjoyable too, but it also has a good amount of content to share.

You can currently get Phil Gordon's Little Green Book from the ITH Store or through the free book offer.

Silvershade · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 365

I like this book a lot, I read it through and it immediately allowed me to incorporate some of the ideas successfully into my game. It's probably the book that has had the most immediate positive impact on my PL/NL play.

Something like Harrington on Holdem is undoubtedly richer once you take the time to work through the hands but personally I prefer this, it reads well and i found it very easy to absorb. Gordon very obviously is a strong communicator.

Hats off to Phil Gordon for realising that there is in fact a place for a book like this amongst the more detailed books.

redman · Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2006 2:42 pm Post subject:

i bought this book on cd. since i drive around constantly the cds are great...what i liked most about the book was it made me think....i have listened to it 10x already and wish there were 10 cds

gusofhippo · Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2006 10:06 pm Post subject: Agreed

Dear All:

My first post here, so be gentle.

I like this book, ALOT. I once read a quote about the Gospel of Luke (sorry for the religious reference here, but don't worry Shocked

), that it was shallow enough for a toddler to swim in and deep enough to drawn an elephant. That's how I feel about this book.

For the relatively inexperienced it is a very good introduction to NL tournament, and to a lesser degree cash, poker. It has the charts, and the math, and all that stuff that is the basics.

However, at the same time, it really teaches one how to think about the game. In several instances Gordon walks you through a step by step process of what he is thinking about as he makes his decisions. This was the most valuable part to me.

The second most valuable part was the poker math section. He was very clear and very concise and actually made concepts that I knew about make a lot of sense to me, finally.

Lastly, as as been pointed out, this is a very well written book with lots of interesting stories to back up the points Gordon is making.

I recommend this book very highly.

Serenity32 · Joined: 20 Jun 2006 Posts: 54 Location: Arlington, VA

As has been said before, I think this is a very good beginning book. I just picked up some Harrington and Sklansky books, but Gordon has definately given me a base to start playing better with and I've won quite a few tournies playing with Gordons voice in my ear.

TorrMakki · Joined: 21 Sep 2006 Posts: 50 Location: London, UK

Excellent book suited to beginner or intermediate player wanting to learn sold NL play for cash games or tournament. It really does spell things out in an ABC style unlike any other book I know - eg: Flop bottom two pair then bet the pot. If you get called in position by one opponent then continuation bet 85% of the time - nice direct advice a beginner can follow until they get their feet wet and then think about as your understand it better. It maps out a way of playing.

It's deceptively deep in parts. Phil's strategy uses maths to decide on things like how often to bet and how much. He kind of skips over it but when you reread it you realise he's put a lot of thought into it.

Senator7 · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 14

Little Green Book is easily one of the best books ever written about NL Hold'em.

Little Blue Book, on the other hand, was a disappointment.

jeffnc · Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 2:18 pm Post subject:

It's interesting to read comments such as "the Green book is good, the Blue book is bad". Clearly, different styles appeal to different people.

The Green book was inspired, I believe, from Harvey Penick's Little Red Book on golf. The style is conversational and anecdotal, filled with tips and little "bits of wisdom".

The Blue book is more of a nuts and bolts hand analysis book.

Personally I found the Blue book more helpful, but both can be. Again, an interesting contrast in style and appeal. Or, perhaps just what you're in the mood for Smile

Silvershade · Joined: 18 May 2005 Posts: 365

I think the problem with the blue book is the kind of hands he analyses rather than that it's hand analysis per se. If a player makes the kind of hands that Gordon is illustrating I think it might be hard not to win money. Harrington is better in this department largely because the hands chosen are more interesting than the ones used in LBB. Having said that I didnt feel LBB was a waste of money just a disappointment compared with LGB.

Senator7 · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 14

Little Blue Book should have been subtitled: How To Play Monster Hands

Not many people need advice on how to play sets, nut straights and flushes, and boats.

jeffnc · Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:19 am Post subject:

First, I disagree that not many people need advice on how to play "monster" hands. I see these hands misplayed constantly at the tables. Counting sets as "monster" hands (often they are not), then yes there are several sets in the book, one hand where he flops quads, one hand where he flops a flush, and several hands where he makes 2 pair on the turn.

Second, I disagree there are all monster hands. There are 72 hands in the book. Here are some of the first 30. I left out ones where a flop was not seen, a couple sets, a flopped flush, and AK flopping TPTK.

7 of Hearts

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, flop

, board

Senator7 · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 14

Little Blue Book is perfect for people who need hand examples to learn poker lessons and concepts.

I don't think its a bad book. I just thought it was a bit disappointing since Little Green Book was so good.

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