There is a lot you need to know about the game of poker before you can truly call yourself a poker player. Information about the greatest game of all is widely available, but it’s not always useful or even accurate. Poker rooms and live dealers at your online casino are just as innovative, but still unable to replace the written words in the best poker books.
Following is a list of the best books on playing poker – no matter whether you decide to take them in slowly or go through the lines in a single breath – each of these titles has something to teach you about.
The Tao of Poker (1999) by Larry W. Philips
This book by Larry Philips portrays the most comprehensive and accurate profile of the poker player – everything they are and what they want to become. It clearly points out the faults and advantages in their character through a sequence of 285 small chapters in the form of player secrets. Each secret depicts a different aspect of the player and the game, but there is one where the player is compared to the little spider and its web-weaving trade which stands out in particular.
While this book may not be overly specialized, there are a lot of lessons that can be learned by its readers.
The Theory of Poker (1994) by David Sklansky
There is nothing overly decorative and expressive about this book, yet it has managed to sustain its popularity for over two decades since its original publishing date. It consists of 25 chapters spread over 275 pages of content on regarding strategies about various parts of the game.
It has been said that this book is not so much about gameplay as it is about considerations and scenarios. The author takes the basic question of what to do in a certain situation and answers it through the aspects that should be considered for it, providing players with the fundamental basis.
Raiser’s Edge (2011) by Bertrand Gospellier
The series of books known as Kill Phill, Kill Everyone reaches its final piece of the puzzle through the Raiser’s Edge. It speaks about Elky and his manners which turn the character into a real-life impersonation of fear equity which complements pot and fold equity. The book focuses on pure strategy directed towards tournament play and discusses many key features of it.
Ace on the River (2005) by Barry Greenstein
This book may not be the Bible for poker players, but it is sure bound to take the status of a testament in short time. Ace on the River is a rather unconventional strategy poker book - it teaches its readers about playing the game, but doesn’t focus solely on the rules. The author further uses the book to retell his personal stories and turn them into useful advises. All in all, it has turned into a must-read for those who are determined to make a professional poker playing career for themselves.
