ITH Poker Forum

[sp1ke36]

I have the 2+2 book by the same authors "Professional NLHE".

What is different about the new book that I haven't read in PNL.

Thanks,
Spike

[mchilger]

They are quite different, but complement each other. The main focus of SSNLH is six-max $1-$2. The TOC is shows below:

INTRODUCTION
PART 1: FRAMEWORK
64 SQUARES
SHOWDOWN EQUITY AND STEAL EQUITY
USING EQUITIES TO MAKE DECISIONS
STEALING
WHAT MAKES STEALING LIKELY TO SUCCEED

PART 2: BEATING ONLINE $1–$2 6-MAX GAMES
INTRODUCTION
STEALING BLINDS AND PLAYING POSITION
PROFILING OPPONENTS USING STATS
BARRELING
GOING FOR VALUE WITH GOOD HANDS
3-BETTING LIGHT AND THE 3-BET, 4-BET, 5-BET GAME
ISOLATING BAD PLAYERS
HANDLING OPPONENT AGGRESSION
SPECIFIC PREFLOP DECISIONS
PUTTING IT TOGETHER

PART 3: 7 EASY STEPS TO NO-LIMIT HOLD’EM SUCCESS
STEP 1: PLAY TIGHT
STEP 2: DON’T PLAY OUT OF POSITION
STEP 3: DON’T OVERCOMMIT IN SMALL POTS
STEP 4: BIG POTS FOR BIG HANDS
STEP 5: PULL THE TRIGGER
STEP 6: ADJUST TO YOUR OPPONENTS
STEP 7: KEEP YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME
CONGRATULATIONS

PART 4: BEYOND $1–$2
UNDERSTANDING FIXED BET SIZES
PLANNING BIG BLUFFS
OVERBETTING THE FLOP
UNDERBETTING IN MULTIWAY POTS
BALANCING YOUR LINES
BANKROLL REQUIREMENTS

[jeffnc]

The first book has some general ideas about NL cash, most importantly the innovative explanations of SPRs and stack commitments.

The second book was originally supposed to be a Vol 2, moving on with stealing/bluffing and other topics to complement the foundation in Vol 1. But disagreements with their publisher and pressure from the community to comment specifically on online 6-max games led them to publish the book from a different perspective and with a different title, although it does including a lot of stealing/bluffing equity discussion. It also contains a chapter that doesn't really complement the rest of the book very well. It's an article written by Miller (used to be available free on his web site). It's a great article about some basic guidelines to follow for beginners to win in easy to medium games. It probably belonged as an early chapter in Vol 1.

[Rodney1111]

I recently bought Small Stakes No-Limit Hold'em. It is the first poker book I have bought, and I am learning a lot from it.

Would anyone like to suggest what the best book would be to read next, once I have fully absorbed all the information SSNLHE?

Thank you.

[jeffnc]

Actually I don't think that's the best bet for a first read, but anyway, I'd read Getting Started in Holdem. If you're already beyond that, then I'd read Professional No Limit Holdem and Harrington on Cash Games Vols 1 and 2. Those 2 are mostly for cash games. For tournaments, I'd read Harrington on Holdem Vols 1 and 2, and then Winning Poker Tournaments One Hand at a Time, Vols 1 and 2.

[Rodney1111]

Many thanks, Jeff. Your input much appreciated.

[mchilger]

If you have a Kindle, another book that has been received well is The Poker Blueprint. Only $7.99 on Kindle but a lot more expensive in print.

Complementary books that you might consider later include The Theory of Poker by Sklansky and The Poker Mindset (by Piemaster on this Forum and myself).

Good luck, Matthew